Eid-Al-Adha | TheGhouseDiary.com
23, 2015 – This Eid, unlike most of the festivities of the past is different. American Muslims are reflecting on the status
of humanity around the world; the Rohingya and Syrian Refugees Crisis is
becoming unmanageable.
We have an obligation to take care of fellow beings, as well as expressing
gratitude for what we have. God calls on
us to be grateful for whatever he has given us, and expects us to sacrifice
whatever we can. He asks in Quran (55:8), “Then which of the favors of
your Lord will you deny?
what is essential for our survival. It is about parents going to sleep without
food but feeding their kids; it is clothing their kids while waiting to get
their own. In case of extremities, we would rather get the bullet and save our
loved ones, we are willing to rescue the child from a freezing lake risking our
own life, and even strangers do that.
That is sacrifice: the willingness to value life of fellow humans over one’s
own, and the willingness to yield to greater needs of others than our own.
The act symbolizes our willingness to strengthen and preserve the world wide
web of humanity, and help those who are in need. We recognize that all
blessings come from God, and we should open our hearts and share it with
others. That is indeed the guidance he has graced us with.
Those of you who have performed
the Hajj more than once may consider donating an equal amount of the money
spent on the 2nd and 3rd Hajj as Sadaqa to the refugees.
God may be more pleased with it, as he consistently implores us in Quran to
take care of fellow beings, which are his creation. Each one of us has an equal
chance of becoming vulnerable and it behooves us to have sympathy for those who
are down.
We suggest each Muslim to reflect on his or her own life, take care of oneself,
and take care of fellow humans regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity.
Those who do not have the money to donate to the refugees, please consider giving
up a soda or star bucks coffee a day or skipping one or two meals a week. Each
Dollar adds up, it could be $50 Million from American Muslims if each one
contributes $10. This is the
significance of Eid-al-Adha, the true sacrifice.
On this Eid, please do not forget
to thank and appreciate the policemen, firemen, (women included) and other
service providers, they risk their lives to ensure our safety. Take a moment to stop and appreciate them. We
can change the community relationships by doing that. Eid is the best opportunity to express our
gratitude and that is part of our religion. I hope our Imams stress on this
aspect of gratitude. Please do that, it
helps all of us build a better society. Would you send me your notes and
reactions to include in next Eid write up?
“Festivals of the World” is an educational series
by Mike Ghouse since 1993. When we live in the same communities as neighbors,
we might as well learn about each other. The best way to build cohesive
societies is for its members to participate in festivities as well as
commemorations of each other, or, at least understand each other’s’ joys and
sorrows. Please note the simplicity in writing is designed for people of other
faiths to learn and to know, so we can function cohesively.
is all about bringing Americans Together for a peaceful, safe and secure
America. Now, FoundationforPluralism is part of America Together Foundation.
God bless us all, and God bless America!
Mike is a speaker, thinker, writer, pluralist,
TV-Radio commentator and a human rights activist committed to building cohesive
societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His info in 63
links at MikeGhouse.net and writings at TheGhouseDiary.com