Making Eid ‘Mubarak’

Monday, August 20, 2012 - Eid-ul-Fitr, translated as the Festival of fast breaking, is truly a time of thanksgiving for the true believers, a time when sleepy bazaars come alive, when the sweet sounds of laughter fill the air, when women fret about finding that perfect sandal to complete their outfit and young girls beautify their delicate hands with henna, when love, brotherhood, joy, charity and benevolence take over and grace enters our hearts and all what we see around is the divine spiritual zest and beauty within our souls and in the atmosphere.

These bounties, colors and peaceful celebrations are a reward to the Muslim Ummah for their sacrifice and service, piety and patience, forgiveness and forbearance Allah (SWT) bestowed upon them to fulfill the obligations of fasting and to perform good deeds during Ramadhan.

This glorious day of Eid is a gift from the All-Mighty, a gift that should be received with deep humility and gratitude. The real significance of this occasion lies in service and is not simply about wearing our prettiest clothes, savoring the tasty homemade Eid delights and giving presents to family members. Some of us have the privilege to fully enjoy the blessings of this day but never forget hundreds and thousands of our Muslim brothers who are simply not that lucky. Needy who have nothing to wear, eat and even deprived of basic living standards and the blessings of this special day.

Eid is about making people feel special and loved so it is imperative to include them in our celebrations by giving zakat, helping them with little presents and feeding the homeless in our communities. Eid joys can be multi folded by promoting such virtues of charity, association and humanity in our society. Only then will our ‘Eid Mubarak’ have any meaning, it will add colors to our lives, placate our despair spirits, open doors of Allah’s countless blessings and only then have we truly given Thanks—the true essence of this holy day.

—Islamabad