THE REALITY OF EID

[ummtaalib]

THE REALITY OF EID

 

W hile Eid is certainly meant to be a joyous occasion, the true happiness of Eid should be understood in its proper perspective. Consider the situation of a student who has spent the entire year at an institution. At the end of the year a celebration is held. He is wearing the expensive new outfit that he bought especially for this occasion. All varieties of treats have been prepared. The happiness in the atmosphere is enchanting. However, he has just received his results. The results state that he has failed. What occasion will he celebrate? What will he rejoice over? Eid should be considered in a similar manner. The month of Ramadhãn was especially given to the Ummah to acquire the wealth of Taqwa (consciousness of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala declares:

 

 "O you who Believe, verily fasting was prescribed upon you just as it was ordained upon those before you so that you may attain Taqwa."

 

Taqwa entails the forsaking of every disobedience of Allah Ta'ala. One who has spent his Ramadhãn in various forms of Ibãdah (worship) but has not given up sin, has not attained Taqwa. What will he celebrate? What will he rejoice over? The only difference is that one's results of Ramadhãn are not received "in black and white" in this world. However, every person can, to some extent, judge for himself whether he has passed or not.

 

The reality of Eid is encapsulated in some couplets attributed to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jailani (R.A.). If the message of these couplets is taken to heart, Insha-Allah one will truly have an Eid in reality:

 

ليس العيد لمن لبس الجديد

انما العيد لمن امن من الوعيد

"Eid is not for the one who has worn new garments

Eid in reality is for the one who has gained safety from the warnings (of punishment)"

 

The message expressed here is clear. The joy of Eid is for the person who, by his obedience to Allah Ta'ala, has gained safety from the warnings of punishment that have been sounded in the Qur'ãn and the Ahãdith against those who engage in disobedience. Adorning oneself with new garments does not achieve anything. Indeed, adorning oneself with the garments of Taqwa will gain the blessings of both worlds. Hence, how tragic it is that people spend hours, rather days, to get the "right" Eid outfit. In the process numerous aspects that are against the dictates of Taqwa are also perpetrated. This is besides the fact that every moment of Ramadhãn wasted is like millions lost. Therefore, one should not make new clothes a fundamental necessity. It is Sunnah to wear the "best" clothes that one owns on the day of Eid, not necessarily something new.

 

ليس العيد لمن ركب المطايا

انما العيد لمن ترك الخطايا

"Eid is not for the one who rides a smart conveyance

Eid is for the one who has left out sins"

 

Driving a fancy car is no measure of success. The person who has forsaken all sins has acquired Taqwa — the object of Ramadhãn. He is indeed successful and has reason to rejoice and celebrate. Eid is for him.

 

ليس العيد لمن تبختر بالعود

انما العيد للتائب الذى لايعود

"Eid is not for the one who is perfumed with Oud (itr)

Eid is for the one who repents and does not return to sin"

 

The one who has repented and remains steadfast upon his repentance will pass on the Day of Judgment. He will then enjoy perpetual Eid.

 

The day of Eid at the end of Ramadhãn will come and go. In order to truly deserve celebrating on that day, we must dedicate ourselves to acquiring the object of Ramadhãn. We will have to spend our minutes of Ramadhãn in a correct manner. If hours are spent shopping for "Eid Specials" in Ramadhãn, while the "Ramadhãn Specials" given by Allah Ta'ala in the form of increased rewards is lost, it will indeed be very tragic. Our Eid will then be a very superficial one.

 

May Allah Ta'ala grant us the ability to spend our time correctly in Ramadhãn and grant us a true Eid. (Al-Haadi)

ATTARBIYAH

Islamic Tarbiyah Academy