EID-UL-FITR follows a period of rigorous fasting following in the tradition of prophets Moses, David, Elijah, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).
While fasting in Ramadaan required a month-long, dawn-till-dusk abstention from food, drink and intimacy, it was far more than mere refraining from these basic necessities of daily living.
To Muslims, fasting is a mode of enhancing self-discipline, an opportunity for regulating attitude and conduct; for developing a better self that focuses on the larger purpose of existence.
It is an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and increased philanthropy; a means of attaining taqwa (piety), which the Qur’an considers the pinnacle of human development
As we bid farewell to Ramadaan, it behoves each person who has fasted to do muhāsabah (critical self-evaluation) and honestly reflect on what has been achieved through the month.
What benefits were derived, which behaviours were adjusted, what good practices were adopted, which bad habits have been relinquished?
How did the prayers and fasting of Ramadaan influence attitudes and perspectives? How has it improved relationships with families, friends and neighbours? How much has it increased consciousness of responsibility towards the destitute? How has it impacted on the body, the heart, the mind and the soul?
Service to others
While fasting, we were far more aware of the hunger of the poor, and the suffering of the oppressed, and are therefore instructed to be more generous in that month.
As a matter of fact, the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fast of Ramadaan, cannot be celebrated unless those affording ones have disbursed the sadaqa-tul-fitr, charity to the impoverished.
This promotes attentiveness to social responsibility, interest in the welfare of society, service to those in need, and inspires a continued spirit of generosity.
In the words of the sports icon whom we bid adieu recently, Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
Eid-ul-Fitr promotes the spirit of ubuntu, “humanity to others”. It is about consciously caring and sharing, about being compassionate; about deepening our understanding of our society while simultaneously empathising with the challenges faced by those around us.
It is about implementing the Golden Rule: of loving for others what we love for ourselves.
Is it not ironic that despite the universality of this empathetic rule, many people who consider themselves “religious” are not necessarily the most caring or compassionate?
How is it that some people who have fasted the same Ramadaan, and are celebrating the same Eid, are involved in atrocious deeds and heinous acts of violence and senseless killing that we see flashed as daily headlines on our TV screens?
As Muslims, we are often judged by their vicious deeds, though their acts are not a true reflection of Islam.
A world of extremes
We seem to live in times of two extremes: not caring about the rights of others on the one hand, and caring only about ourselves on the other.
Our world is tainted by excessive materialism fed by an insatiable system of need-to-have covetousness and greediness; fertile ground for the roots of selfishness and a culture of entitlement. Many people are so far in debt, due to buying things they do not really need with money they don’t actually have to impress people who frankly don’t care.
The lessons of Ramadaan teach us that life has a purpose – live it meaningfully.
The Sufis have a saying about how heedless we have become: “The human being sacrifices his health in order to gain wealth. Then he sacrifices wealth to recuperate his health.
"He is so heedless of the past and so anxious about the future that he does not appreciate the present; the result being that he does not live in the present nor the future, he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."
Prophet Muhammad thus reminded us: “Live in such a way that your good deeds outlive you.”
So, at a time when news is dominated by wars, crime and corruption; where headlines are filled with grief, tragedy and distress, there is a need for the celebration of the conquering spirit, the spirit that tries to improve itself and care about the world around. Eid-ul-Fitr is indeed one such celebration. Eid Mubarak!
● Khan is chief executive at Islamia College and co-founder of Nakhlistan