In today’s Eid sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, highlighted the philosophy of Eid and what true Eid encapsulates. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stressed that Eid should not only be shrouded with material celebrations; wearing clean and new clothes, giving and receiving gifts and having adorned food. Rather, the essence of Eid is to introspect and to decorate our lives with love and communion with Allah.
Huzooraa said that both the poor and wealthy can attain the pleasure of Allah; everyone’s test is different. Islam does not teach to cut off all worldly provisions to attain Allah, neither does Islam promote being engulfed in materialism. Whatever our conditions are here on earth, we are all equal in the race to attain Allah the Almighty. It is wrong to say that Allah can only be reached by passing over thorns, and it is also wrong to claim that He can be achieved through a bed of roses alone. Like the diverse attributes of Allah, the paths to reach Allah are many.
There are three types of people who celebrate Eid. Those whose lives are solely for Allah and all the good they do, is for Him alone – they don’t worship or do good works for public display or show. They worship Allah the way He should be.
Then there are those who celebrate Eid in all its material contexts. But Eid is poles apart from them, just as East is from West. They think it is benefiting them and they are enjoying it, but it’s a mirage and the essence of Eid is far away from such people.
The third category are of those who lament on their deeds, regret them and look toward Allah for forgiveness and direction. They don’t see themselves worthy in any way because of their sins. They await Allah’s rescue and for his forgives and mercy. Allah comes to such people and raises their rank.
Huzooraa said that we should follow the former and latter of these three groups while staying clear of those who celebrate Eid from a materialistic perspective only.
From all the Al Hakam team, Eid Mubarak! May we all attain the true Eid that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa described today, and may we gain the mercy and love of Allah.