Eid: The day of Harvest
Mohammad Hussain Khan
Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”. Eid-ul-Fit marks the end of Holy Ramadhan. Eid-ul-Fitur is the occasion of sharing the happiness and blessings with others. This day is meant to take care of the poor and hapless people. In our society, most of the people are particularly considerate on the happy moment of Eid. They pay heed to the necessitates of the needy and the poor. The underlying message of Eid-ul-Fitur is that living for others is a life worthwhile. Human beings are the crown of creation because they are expected to share their capacities with the rest of mankind to establish a happier community.
Eid is also a time to realize the urgency of fraternal bonding and the concept of interfaith harmony that demands a meeting of hearts and minds to weld the Ummah as a cohesive and pious force on the path of peace and tranquility.
The day of Eid-Ul-Fitur truly symbolizes piety, patience and fortitude. Socially, Eid-ul-Fitur reminds us to share the festivities with the hapless people, with the under privileged, with the downtrodden and with orphans. This day of happiness is also a day of introspection for the Believers who should spare atleast sometime to see if their actions and character can be assessed favourably in the light of Islamic teachings as to whether they have contributed to the well beings of their fellow beings, non Muslims brethren and the Ummah above all.
The day does not mark any historical event or episode, but its existence provides the believers to offer thanks to Allah for having given them the strength and the will to observe fast during the holy month of Ramadhan. The greatest significance of this day of rejoining lies in fact that on this day every believer is enjoined to pay Sadak-e-Fitur & Zakat at the prescribed rates to the poor and needy.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to make sure whether all the needy, widows or orphans were able to share the joys of Eid. This main message enshrined in the month of Ramdahan should make “Believers” to realize the pains and sorrows of other human beings as “Believers” have fasted to acquire piety, discipline and self control. The habit of unquestioning obedience to Allah is cultivated in his heart and mind. He is now trained to accept the commands of Allah, in the remaining eleven months of the year, with the same unwavering loyalty. He has emerged from the month of Ramdahan with a new personality and a stronger character, confident of his ability to subordinate his desire, to his will, his emotion and to his intellect.
No longer will it be difficult for him to share the sorrows with his less fortunate brethren, no longer will he fail now, to understand the pain of hunger and the pangs of thirst. In the training period of holy Ramadhan if we have left such marks upon our character, we are entitled to enjoy Eid-ul-Fitr.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Eid is for him who fasts have been accepted, and whose worship has been appreciated by the Almighty Allah. Every day you do not disobey the creator is a day of Eid”.
Eid is surely a new day and new beginning for a person who has just completed a month of fasting. The tools of will power, insight and feelings of proximity to the omniscient, which were earned while fasting, should rejuvenate the “Believer”. The measure of man’s love for his creator is his unquestioned obedience to the commands of creator. When for whole month a believer has obeyed Allah, without complaint and has spent time in prayers in humility and in charity, the creator himself turns to his servant and say “it is now for thee to ask for Me to give”. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, guide us to the right path and prevent us from departing it.
Let us we all be grateful to Allah for all His heavenly blessings that He showers on us.
(The author can be reached at [email protected])
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