Eid is a time of celebration and blessings. Families and friends gather to pray the Eid prayer before visiting one another and enjoying meals together. Children are given presents, sweets are shared.
However, in our endeavor to enjoy Eid, we must remember the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and His Hadees about Eid, who sought to make it a special time for everyone. The Quran confirms the rights of our neighbors upon us:
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. [4:36]
Many individuals in our community come from backgrounds with many hardships. On a joyous day like Eid, it is our responsibility to ensure they feel welcomed (and throughout the year as well!).
When we think of Eid, we think of family, which is an incredible blessing. But many don’t have anyone to spend it with. For example: refugees. Refugee resettlement and integration is a difficult process to say the least. Our brothers and sisters who are fleeing from violence in Syria are displaced and in addition to witnessing the horrors they have had, they are in a country with unfamiliar customs and languages, with little in their pockets.
Another example is reverts. Some do have supportive families, but often times they are left with no one to attend prayer or celebrate with.
Orphans and international students living overseas are faced with the same problem. Islam is a universal faith, a universal language, and it encourages us to act and do our part to ensure Eid is a great time for everyone.
Here’s some eid ideas to help lonely Muslims this Eid:
- Reach out to your community - see what their needs are: whether it’s arranging rides to the venue for Eid prayer, or new clothes for Eid, or writing a letter to help take off from school/work.
- Hold a toy drive for Eid gifts for children.
- Make sweet baskets for distribution on Eid day.
- Invite them for over for luncheons/dinners. Simply eating a meal together can make it a joyous day.
There are many more thoughtful things you can do to make it a memorable Eid for everyone.
Lastly, make dua that Allah bestows us all with sincerity in whatever we do on this blessed occasion.
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