We are all hereby invited to the open house invitation to the home of happiness, mindfulness, and a life of success. Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world. This feeling of celebration is unmatched and unique, a feeling shared by all of us after going through something challenging together. It was not simply the shared feelings of hunger and thirst, not just the feelings of eating and conversing at the end of the day, or the early morning meals we shared with our loved ones. It encompassed our experiences in between; the prayers we shared and the goal we hoped to achieve and did together. It was the combined experience of our small community around us to the millions in the same practice aiming to be king, patient, and forgiving collectively over an auspicious month. We have failed and we have succeeded and now it is our job to extend our ability to control our emotions and do good by others after this month has ended. We can rejoice and share happiness since we have earned it. We can embrace our feelings and be proud of our accomplishment.
Take a Stretch
Amidst our own struggles to last the day without any food or water and unwavering responsibilities, we have been so focused on finishing the fast that we have forgotten to sometimes see the world around us. We end up turning back to who we were 30 days before and live our life. This month is a cleanse for our soul and an opportunity to reflect and create a higher level of self-awareness. It is okay to take a break, relax, catch up with our friends for brunch, go for dinners, go to the movies and grab a snack, and partake in work potlucks. However, it is now a journey to embody the lessons we learnt during our journey and migrate it into our daily lives. Take a moment to read the news and see the mounting support from our communities around the world to others, the participation and understanding by others of different faiths, and appreciate the good in the world. Let’s join together to be a true community that fosters all the qualities we have come to address and develop during our month of self-control. Let us say good-bye to hate and create a world of love, patience, acceptance, and kindness.
Act of Mercy
The biggest lesson, if there can be one, is the act of forgiveness in this Holy month. There were many people who could not fast and our religion permits those to do so. There were many who could not due to health reasons, age, or obligations. We should reflect if we have condemned those in our hearts or our words regardless of what country and its rules that we live in. Let’s embody the forgiveness in our lives and focus on our own actions. Make yourself in such a way that you are always part of the solution, not the problem. Allah is not cruel. Not only has Allah disallowed oppression among human beings [Sahih Muslim, Book 032, 6247]; Allah is kind and loves kindness in all forms [Sahih Bukhari 6528]. This must be the basis of how we practise Islam.
And always remember: God is like Wifi, He is available everywhere, but you have to connect with Him with the correct password which is Prayer and a clean heart.
Eid Mubarak!
Asma Shums <asmashums@gmail.com>
