The profound message of the Eid-ul-Fitr
In the Quran, the word “Eid” is directly
mentioned in Surah Al-Maida – Chapter 5, Verse 115. In the context of this
verse, we see how the disciples of Hazrat Isa (as) asked Allah to send down a
table laden with food from the heavens as a feast (Eid) for them, marking
it as a day of celebration and a sign of His grace.
Here, we observe how Allah not only blessed
Hazrat Isa (as) and his disciples with material provisions but also granted
them spiritual sustenance, which was continued and perfected in Islam with the
arrival of our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh).
Thus, beyond festivities, feasts, and gatherings with family and the community, this day carries a profound message: that each Muslim should continue to lead a pious life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It highlights a way of life rooted in spiritual, ethical, and moral values, which each believer should strive to follow throughout the year, not just during Ramadan.
If we reflect on how a true believer should
live, then by understanding that life in this world is temporary, and that the
days are drawing closer to when one will return to their Creator (Allah), it
becomes easier to shape life around good deeds and intentions aimed at pleasing
Allah. In brief, the way of life of a true believer [who doesn’t view divine
commandments and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), as
burdensome] is as follows:
1. As I just mentioned, a true believer lives
with the understanding that their (i.e. his or her) time on Earth is temporary
and that they will be accountable for their actions before Allah. This
certainty guides their choices and actions.
2. With this responsibility in mind, the
believer aligns themselves with the divine teachings of the Quran and the
principles set forth by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
It’s important to remember that Satan
constantly tries to mislead believers from the path of Islam, especially after
moments of strong spirituality like Ramadan, Hajj, or Umrah.
To please Allah, a believer should lead a
simple life in line with the principles of the Quran. This includes:
1. Avoiding gossip and slander (Ribah)
and refraining from blame or criticism (Lawm).
2. Cultivating kindness and compassion.
3. Avoiding wastefulness or excess.
A true believer who loves Allah strives to obey
Him, and one of the divine commandments is to believe in and obey His
messengers. Fortunate are those who live in a time when Allah has sent His
Messenger or Prophet. The main mission of a servant, messenger, or prophet of
Allah is to share everything that Allah reveals, whether it is permitted,
ordered, or instructed to inform the world.
Some messages are kept confidential by Allah
until the moment He commands the prophet to make them public. Good news for a
prophet is an Eid, and it is also an Eid for the community of true believers,
devout Muslims, who have reverence for Allah and submit to His will.
Thus, Allah grants many Eids to
believers, whether physical or spiritual. The greatest Eid, after Eid-ul-Fitr
and Eid-ul-Adha, is the coming of a Messenger of Allah among people
to guide them toward Allah. Islamic messengers are always connected to Allah,
His Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and the Quran. This is one of the
greatest Eids a person can witness in their life – following a Messenger of
Allah and receiving blessings from the heavens.
As a true believer, anyone who claims to
believe in Allah and His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) must develop excellent
moral and spiritual qualities. They should avoid wastefulness, remain moderate
in all aspects of life – whether in their speech (avoiding useless talk or
gossip that may lead to sins), and maintain moderation in their family and
professional relationships. This means not being overly inclined toward anyone
to the point of ignoring their wrongdoings and failing to guide them back to
the ‘Siratwal Mustaqeem’ (the straight path).
Thus, a believer entrusts themselves to Allah
and carries out their actions with reverence and fear of Allah. In this fear of
Allah, they also take care of the Amaanat (trust) that Allah has placed
in their hands, such as their wives (for the men) or husbands (for the women) and
children. Islam advocates kindness towards women and has instructed men to
protect them and show absolute respect for them. Islam strictly forbids
violence, abuse, and unjust accusations against women.
A believer must always base their life on truth
and honesty. Lies and baseless accusations are strictly prohibited in Islam, as
are mockery and ridicule of the beliefs or practices of others. Islam teaches
us to respect the faith of others. Yes, we preach and invite people to Islam,
but we never force anyone to embrace it. Only Allah can turn a heart towards
Islam and remove it from the darkness of Kufr (disbelief). Therefore, we
must recognise that every person is unique, just as good and evil are distinct;
good is separate from evil, and vice versa. However, this does not mean that a
good person cannot fall into the darkness of Kufr. It is entirely
possible for a pious person to stray and lose divine favour, falling into sin
and Kufr. Similarly, a person who has lived their life in Kufr
can attain Hidaayah (guidance) and join the ranks of the pious whom
Allah loves. Hence, a believer must always strive to keep Allah pleased with
them and firmly remain on the straight path. They must counter evil with
positive actions that keep them on this righteous path.
In their mission to do good, a believer has a
duty not to harm their fellow beings, whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim,
rich or poor. If someone is poor, a good Muslim believer must consider it their
duty to support the poor through their charity and kind words. They should not
help the poor or engage in social work for publicity or recognition but solely
for the pleasure of Allah. Even if a believer does not have sufficient
resources to help those in need, they must adopt a respectful and encouraging
attitude. They should uplift the morale of others and never discourage,
especially regarding work for Allah’s cause or if someone is in a problem that
seems to have no solution. A believer places their trust in Allah and promotes
trust in Allah, and those who place their trust in Allah will witness miracles
in their provision and daily life. Insha-Allah.
Thus, we see that Eid-ul-Fitr is not
just a day of celebration but also a moment of spiritual renewal. Believers are
encouraged to extend the principles they learned and practised during Ramadan
and apply them in their daily lives to seek Allah’s satisfaction and contribute
to a more harmonious and just society. Insha-Allah, Ameen. To all those
celebrating Eid today: Eid Mubarak! I
extend this Eid greeting to all my sincere disciples worldwide. May Allah make your daily lives a true Eid! Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius on 01 Shawwal 1446 AH~ 01 April 2025.