Voice of British Muslim Women

Sadiya Ayaz, London

Celebrations and festivities are an integral part of human life in every society and at every level, regardless of one’s culture, race or belief. In most cases their origin can be traced to ancient rites or religious practices. However, they also play an important role in bringing together people of different cultures and communities belonging to one faith to share in occasions of happiness and joy, thereby strengthening the ties of sisterhood and providing a sense of belonging and security as well as the opportunity to share of what we have been blessed with. This helps form the basis of religious harmony and peace within societies.

We must remember however that festivals and celebrations are not merely moments of happiness and cheer. At an individual level, their purpose is to help promote spiritual reformation, encouraging a fresh start by leaving behind one’s past mistakes and bringing new hope and vigour for further advancement in faith and practice. These celebrations are in fact a form of worship in themselves as Islam incorporates the remembrance of God with each and every act of a Muslim. For a Muslim therefore, a day of festivity is not merely a day of feasting and merry-making, but rather it is spent in praising God, remembering His attributes and thanking Him for His countless blessings and favours upon us.

Today Muslims throughout the world rejoice in the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a day of happiness for those fortunate to have observed the fasts of Ramadan and reaped the spiritual rewards of this holy month. No doubt much pleasure is derived from wearing new clothes, meeting friends and relatives and eating specially prepared food. These are all ways of celebrating the occasion. However, the main purpose of fasting for Muslims is to develop righteousness and self-purification. The month of fasting in Islam is a month of worship which Muslims welcome with renewed energy and zeal. Thus, on Eid-ul-Fitr Muslims are reminded to reflect on the condition of their spiritual improvement and resolve not to lose what has been gained by not only maintaining it, but by pressing forward to reach greater spiritual advancement through righteous conduct, prayers and seeking the Grace of God.

Therefore, the most attractive garment one should be wearing on this day is the one mentioned by God in the Holy Qur’an, ‘the raiment of righteousness’ (7:27) and the real food one should be enjoying is the spiritual nourishment acquired during the month of fasting.

On Eid there is greater focus on bringing together communities and giving alms and as such Muslims will share sweets with their neighbours whilst children are especially encouraged to participate in this activity of offering gifts so that the act of giving alms and sharing one’s happiness with others, regardless of race, religion or creed, becomes inculcated within them from a young age. However, Eid should not be celebrated with the intention of showing off one’s wealth or spending extravagantly, for Islam strongly forbids any ostentatious display of one’s assets. Rather, the sharing of sweets and gifts is an expression of accepting and sharing the bounties given by God with those around us, our friends, families, neighbours and most importantly those in our communities who are in need and less well off. This is because charity is central to the Muslim faith, as represented by its inclusion in the Five Pillars of Islam. In Islam, charity is not about giving because of feeling sorry for a person or because of a catastrophe. Rather, it is a regular, sacrificial giving that, in addition to helping the needy, reaffirms the Islamic ideology that everything belongs to God and by sacrificing these things for the sake of God, one is simply giving something back to its rightful owner. On Eid this concept is heightened even more for the focus of celebration comes from a renewed zeal to do greater good.

Explaining the blessings of fasting and its importance to the welfare of society, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community states:

“When fasting is based on righteousness, it produces a beautiful society, creating a spirit of sacrifice for each other. One is drawn to the needs of one’s under-privileged brothers … This becomes a source of removing anxiety from society and creates feelings of empathy for the less fortunate among those who are well-off.”

So, as Muslims around the world celebrate the festival of Eid ul Fitr today, we must keep our focus on the real purpose of this celebration which is not only the reformation of one’s self but of society as a whole through strengthening the ties of kinship and sisterhood by uniting members of our communities under one banner of faith, love and harmony – a message not just for today, but for every day.