EID - A Night to Plead - A Day to Treat
After being absorbed in a month long exercise of vigorous worship and spiritual enrichment, the Muslim Ummah stands on the threshold of Eid-ul-Fitr. The day of Eid is one to express sincere gratitude to Almighty Allah for His favours - gratitude for the opportunity to fast through the day, stand in prayer at night, give charity, and recite the Quran abundantly. It is a day of celebration for the believers who have executed their duties honorably.
Eid is the culmination of this spiritual empowerment and a festival marking the accomplishment of all Muslims. However, it does not signal the end of the mission. The good discipline developed in Ramadaan must remain and be sustained. A true reflection of our efforts in Ramadaan being accepted is continuity with good actions post Ramadaan.
Whilst the day of Eid is a joyous occasion the night should be one of contemplation and worship. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (saww) that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid-ul-fitr. This night has been titled in a Hadith as the Night of Reward (Laylatul Jaiza). The Prophet (saww) is reported to have said:
Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.
Surely for those who repented profusely in Ramadaan and used the auspicious month in the best possible way to gain proximity to their Creator, the day of Eid is one of true joy and celebration. They know well that they have seized the opportunities that availed in Ramadaan, and have firm hope in the reward and pleasure of their Creator. On the other hand those who squandered the opportunities, procrastinated in their repentance, and did not seize the blessed moments, will be left to regret their failure. Eid is a sweet sour occasion for such people, as they eat, meet, and greet with a regretful heart and look back at what could have been a life changing experience.
Our life is no different. The month of Ramadaan may be likened to the entire life span of a person and the day of Eid likened to the day a person will meet Allah Ta'ala. Every day is an opportunity to run towards Allah and those who seize the opportunity of life and fulfill life's objective will be truly celebrating 'tomorrow', on the day Qiyamah, when mankind will stand before their Lord. The Quran urges a believer 'to run to Allah' and 'hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and paradise.'
Just as Ramadaan comes and goes in flash, so will life. The end of each Ramadaan signifies the inevitable end of our lives. Whilst one may have some hope that if this Ramadaan was squandered, Allah may give life until another, there is no such hope for the journey of life, for when the 'Ramadaan' of life is over then it shall never return. So, if we have been unmindful, we have a chance with every moment of life to repent and mend our ways. For a believer who spent his life fruitfully, the meeting with his Creator will be the Eid of all Eids.
We ask Allah Ta'ala to bless us this Eidul Fitr and give us such a bond and relationship with him that will grant eternal happiness on the day we return to Him.
Eid is the culmination of this spiritual empowerment and a festival marking the accomplishment of all Muslims. However, it does not signal the end of the mission. The good discipline developed in Ramadaan must remain and be sustained. A true reflection of our efforts in Ramadaan being accepted is continuity with good actions post Ramadaan.
Whilst the day of Eid is a joyous occasion the night should be one of contemplation and worship. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (saww) that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid-ul-fitr. This night has been titled in a Hadith as the Night of Reward (Laylatul Jaiza). The Prophet (saww) is reported to have said:
Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.
Surely for those who repented profusely in Ramadaan and used the auspicious month in the best possible way to gain proximity to their Creator, the day of Eid is one of true joy and celebration. They know well that they have seized the opportunities that availed in Ramadaan, and have firm hope in the reward and pleasure of their Creator. On the other hand those who squandered the opportunities, procrastinated in their repentance, and did not seize the blessed moments, will be left to regret their failure. Eid is a sweet sour occasion for such people, as they eat, meet, and greet with a regretful heart and look back at what could have been a life changing experience.
Our life is no different. The month of Ramadaan may be likened to the entire life span of a person and the day of Eid likened to the day a person will meet Allah Ta'ala. Every day is an opportunity to run towards Allah and those who seize the opportunity of life and fulfill life's objective will be truly celebrating 'tomorrow', on the day Qiyamah, when mankind will stand before their Lord. The Quran urges a believer 'to run to Allah' and 'hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and paradise.'
Just as Ramadaan comes and goes in flash, so will life. The end of each Ramadaan signifies the inevitable end of our lives. Whilst one may have some hope that if this Ramadaan was squandered, Allah may give life until another, there is no such hope for the journey of life, for when the 'Ramadaan' of life is over then it shall never return. So, if we have been unmindful, we have a chance with every moment of life to repent and mend our ways. For a believer who spent his life fruitfully, the meeting with his Creator will be the Eid of all Eids.
We ask Allah Ta'ala to bless us this Eidul Fitr and give us such a bond and relationship with him that will grant eternal happiness on the day we return to Him.