In This Ravaging Pandemic Of Covid-19, Muslims In India 'Observe' Rather Than 'Celebrate' Eid-ul-Fitr
By
Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam
13 July
2021
Consoling
The Covid-19 Victims And Their Families In The Safest Possible Ways On Eid That
Would Strengthen Communal Fraternity And Brotherhood Which Are Greatly Valued
In Islam, And Are Most Importantly Exhorted On Eid-Ul-Fitr
Main
Points:
1. They are highly
empathetic of those in need, misery and distress by extending our helping hand!
2. Many Muslims in
India have decided to shun wearing new clothes on Eid-ul-Fitr and save that
money to help the poor, downtrodden and the needy
3. Eid-ul-Fitr is
an occasion that comes every year to remind us of our humane duty towards the
weaker sections of society.
4. One can
certainly celebrate the festivities of Eid ul Fitr while adhering to pandemic
precaution rules like social distancing and hygiene maintenance.
----
Eid is an
Arabic word meaning: something that returns every year, while Fitr means a form
of charity from the rich to the poor. Obviously, the full name of this Islamic
festival, Eid-ul-Fitr denotes that its prime concern is ‘charity for the poor’.
Thus, Eid-ul-Fitr is an occasion that comes every year to remind us of our
humane duty towards the weaker sections of society. It returns every year to
enliven the spirit of charity, almsgiving, generosity and sharing with the poor
and destitute ones. In fact, the sole purpose of this festival is helping the
needy, feeding the poor and assisting the less fortunate ones, and not merely
feasting on delicious foods and wearing fancy dresses.
In keeping
with this spirit and essence of the Eid, many Muslims in India have decided to
shun wearing new clothes on Eid-ul-Fitr and save that money to help the poor,
downtrodden and the needy. This year, they are going to observe, rather than
celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Friday. On this occasion, they say they have to offer
their respect and prayers to those who lost their lives and solidarity and
compassion to those who lost their loved ones. Thus, they greatly set an
example of being empathetic of those in need, misery and distress in this
ravaging pandemic by extending our helping hand!
One can
certainly celebrate the festivities of Eid ul Fitr while adhering to pandemic
precaution rules like social distancing and hygiene maintenance. Among those
prophetic traditions (Sunnats) relating to the Eid-ul-Fitr that we may
particularly observe on this Eid are greeting people through online means,
comforting the sick people by providing them medicines, plasmas and oxygen as
and when required, offering condolences to the bereaved, exchanging gifts with
other members of the society, consoling and bringing happiness to the Covid-19
victims and their families in the safest possible ways. Such acts that
strengthen fraternity, brotherhood and charity are greatly valued in Islam, and
they are most importantly exhorted on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
On this
occasion, we must not forget that Eid-ul-Fitr actually marks the holy Prophet’s
ambition of spreading social cohesiveness, national unity and solidarity with
the people. According to a hadith tradition, when the Prophet Muhammad arrived
at the city of Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) strongly felt the need for a
feast that could imbibe peace, unity, charity, brotherhood, equality and deep
humane emotions. Having received divine inspiration, the holy Prophet (pbuh)
announced: "Almighty Allah has granted two blessed Eids: Eid-ul-Fitr and
Eid-ul-Adha ..." (Abu Dawud)
After days
and nights of Ramadan are spent in complete devotion to God and sincere
goodwill for other fellow human beings, Eid-ul-Fitr comes at the end of this
month overflowing with joy, ecstasy and charity for the poor. This is precisely
why Islam has enjoined upon Muslims on this day to distribute fitrah (a fixed
amount of charity mandatory for every Muslim) to the poor. They are also
exhorted to hold delicious feasts and invite friends and neighbours from all
faith communities to their tables. Such noble acts on the Eid-ul-Fitr
strengthen bonds of love, mutual harmony, human brotherhood, and social
integrity among Muslims and other communities. Among the prime objectives of
Eid-ul-Fitr is to spread the spirit of peace, delight, kindness, compassion,
brotherhood and equality among all peoples, irrespective of caste, creed and
religion.
Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) greatly stressed on universal brotherhood among
all the members of human albeit with their cultural distinctions. Therefore,
the Prophet (pbuh), while emphasizing the value of universal brotherhood, used
the Arabic word “Ummah” which actually includes all religious communities,
races, ethnic tribes and social ranks, each with their own cultural, national,
linguistic or temperamental features. The Prophet (pbuh) exhorted his followers
to behave towards all of them as brothers and treat them as they want
themselves to be treated. He inculcated noble humane values through the
festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, with an aim to foster universal human brotherhood.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/covid-19-celebrate-observe-eid/d/124824
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