Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival that marks the culmination of a month-long siam or self-abnegation. It is, therefore, a well-deserved celebratory occasion earned at total voluntary surrender to the Almighty Allah. At the same time it is an opportunity for developing a sense of empathy for fellow human beings. In fact, Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration of a religious commitment as ordained by benevolent Allah. Performance of any obligation fulfils human souls with joy and happiness, only more so when the obligation is as noble as unconditional supplication to the creator through prayer and sacrifice of mundane pleasures. The month offers a great opportunity for the Muslim Ummah to lift the moral spirit of its followers all over the world in terms of spiritual standpoint. Those who can live up to that spirit by fulfilling the duty unfailingly truly feel the blessings of God bestowed upon them. So, here is also an occasion of expressing the gratitude to Him for the kindness that has made it possible for a human being to be equal to the task.
However, Islam's uniqueness as a religion lies in the fact that it has brought about a synthesis between spirituality and worldly cares. The focus here is materialistic concerns but not in the sense of free market economy. Wealth creation and accumulation must not be devoted to sensual pleasures. A materially successful individual must part with a certain portion of wealth with those in dire need of material support. The spiritual obligation will remain unfulfilled if this worldly duty is not performed as ordained by Allah the Almighty. One's Eid celebration, joy and happiness are sure to get undermined if one's neighbour is in distress because of economic penury. The significance of zakat and fitra could not be better illustrated. Thus Islam rises in stature on both spiritual and material counts.
Unfortunately, the scripture's solemn diktat has fallen on deaf ears. Material possession has overtaken religious sanctions and the ummah has turned disparate and divided. As the Muslims the world over assemble at the Eid congregation for prayer, they will feel how they have failed their Palestinian brothers who are getting killed like flies by the Israeli army. This non-committal sense of unity among the Islamic states has emboldened Israel to carry on its pogrom even more ruthlessly than it could have dared. The joyous occasion is likely to get somewhat dented because of the genocide in Gaza.
At home, things were not right on many fronts during the month of siam. The most obnoxious is the profit-mongering of outrageous proportion by traders at all levels. Ramadan teaches one to restrain from indulgence in all kinds pleasures and excesses. Traders here in violation of the Quranic edicts have fleeced devotees. Inflationary impact, courtesy of market manipulation, has been particularly telling on the low-income and middle-income segments of the population. They will feel deprived of the mental peace and poise because of their poor purchasing capacity. However, they are likely to pray to the Allah with a clean heart unlike those who refuse to share and care and particularly those traders who resorted to intrigues for maximising profits. People who pray with clean hearts deserve divine blessing and that is the greatest reward they can expect to receive on this happy day. Eid Mubarak to all.