Eid Celebrations with the Remembrance of Martyrs

Eid has come and gone once again. It is a time of joy, a day to express gratitude for Allah’s blessings. However, when I look at the countless people in my homeland who did not even have enough to eat on this festive occasion, let alone new or even clean clothes for their children, my heart aches. There are so many among us who are blessed with abundant wealth—if only they shared a fraction of it with those in need, their generosity would bring smiles to many faces. Even if just for a day, it would wipe away the sadness from their eyes, allowing happiness to flourish.

I am reminded of the orphan child in Madinah whose head was blessed with the gentle touch of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). That single act of kindness made him feel as though he had received the greatest gift in the world. Have the followers of the Prophet forgotten this Sunnah? Is it not mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:
لَنۡ تَنَالُواالۡبِرَّحَتّٰی تُنۡفِقُوۡامِمَّا تُحِبُّوۡنَ ۬ ؕ وَمَاتُنۡفِقُوۡامِنۡ شَیۡءٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِہٖ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿العمران:92﴾
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it. (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 92)

اَرَءَیۡتَ الَّذِیۡ یُکَذِّبُ بِالدِّیۡنِ ؕ﴿۱﴾ فَذٰلِکَ الَّذِیۡ یَدُعُّ الۡیَتِیۡمَ ۙ﴿۲﴾ وَلَا یَحُضُّ عَلٰی طَعَامِ الۡمِسۡکِیۡنِ ؕ﴿۳﴾ فَوَیۡلٌ لِّلۡمُصَلِّیۡنَ ۙ﴿۴﴾ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ عَنۡ صَلَاتِہِمۡ سَاہُوۡنَ ۙ﴿۵﴾ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ یُرَآءُوۡنَ ۙ﴿۶﴾ وَ یَمۡنَعُوۡنَ الۡمَاعُوۡنَ ﴿۷﴾(الماعون:1-7)
“Have you seen the one who denies the Day of Judgment? It is he who repulses the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So, woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayers, those who make a show of their deeds and withhold even simple assistance.”

Subhan Allah! The Lord of the Universe has directly linked mistreatment of orphans and neglect of the needy with the denial of the Day of Judgment. This means that those who fail to help the less fortunate are, in effect, denying the very concept of accountability in the Hereafter. Hence, a fundamental aspect of being a true believer is to embrace orphans with kindness, treat them with compassion, provide food to the needy, and actively encourage others to do the same.

Reflecting upon these verses, let us assess our own actions. It is undoubtedly the primary responsibility of our leaders to care for the welfare of the people, as they collect taxes for this very purpose. Even banks deduct Zakat from accounts that meet the required threshold, ensuring that funds are allocated for the underprivileged. Yet, paradoxically, the number of impoverished individuals continues to rise. Why is this so? Do our leaders not truly believe in the Day of Judgment, or have they failed to implement the system of Zakat effectively?

Look around you. How many destitute, orphaned children do you see scavenging through rubbish in search of food? Innocent souls trying to fill their empty stomachs with rotten, discarded fruit. Such sights are common in every city. “Have you seen those who deny the concept of reward and punishment?” Are we among them? Otherwise, how can it be that in an Islamic society, in a Muslim-majority country, starving and naked individuals roam the streets while the rest of the community turns a blind eye? The divine commandment is clear: “You shall never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love most in the way of Allah.”

We consider ourselves righteous because we fast, pray, perform Hajj, and undertake Umrah year after year. Yet, we ignore the hungry neighbour, the orphan in our community, and the destitute widows who have no support. We eagerly spend thousands on non-obligatory pilgrimages, even though Hajj is only required once in a lifetime under specific conditions. Many proudly count the number of times they have performed Hajj, display the title “Al-Haj” on their doorplates, and bask in the respect it earns them. But can they also recount how much they have spent in the way of Allah, how many orphans they have sheltered, how many needy individuals they have supported, and how many beloved possessions they have sacrificed for the welfare of others?

If such generosity truly existed, we would not see children rummaging through garbage heaps, their condition so pitiful that one can barely distinguish whether they are human beings or merely part of the trash itself.

Gratitude to Allah for Compassionate Organisations
All thanks to Allah that even in these testing times, numerous organisations are tirelessly working to support orphans, the destitute, and widows. Not only are they aiding them directly, but they are also encouraging others to do the same. Perhaps this is why earthquakes subside, and the heavens bless us with rain to keep the fields from drying. However, every effort seems insufficient, as the systematic rise in poverty and the increasing number of orphans and the needy far outweigh the relief provided.

Take a step forward, and you will find among your relatives and acquaintances many dignified yet struggling individuals who seek your attention and assistance. While helping them, it is crucial to uphold their dignity and self-respect.

When I finally asked how best to maintain their dignity, I was met with a knowing smile. “My dear, this is both the easiest and the most difficult task in the world.”

“Why do you always give such perplexing answers?” I asked in frustration.
He responded, “It is difficult because when giving to a relative or acquaintance, a subtle sense of superiority may creep in, which can nullify the virtue of the act. However, if you ensure that the recipient remains unaware that the help is coming from you and instead channel it through a trusted friend unknown to them, then the goodness on both sides remains intact.”

“Go to a local shopkeeper and discreetly ask which families buy essentials on credit but are now too ashamed to pass by the shop due to their inability to pay amidst soaring prices. Quietly settle their outstanding dues and then observe how your Eid celebrations become doubly joyous.”

Some timeless jokes carry an underlying spiritual lesson. A Sikh gentleman was enjoying his tea with great care. After taking each sip, he would stir the tea with a spoon, sip again, and then smile. He repeated this process over and over. Curious, his friend finally asked, “Why do you keep stirring your tea and then smiling after every sip?”

He chuckled and replied, “Today, I have learned an important lesson—no matter how much you stir your tea with a spoon, if you haven’t added sugar, it will never turn sweet.”
If the sweetness of good deeds is absent from your life, no number of prayers, rituals, or worship can compensate for it. Ultimately, your fate will be determined by the sugar of righteous actions. Otherwise, on the Day of Judgment, your entire afterlife will be tasteless.

Many verses of Shah Hussain and Baba Bulleh Shah carry the same message:
اُچیاں بانگاں اوھو دیندے
نیت جنہاں دی کھوٹی ھُو
“Those who make grand proclamations, yet their intentions are impure, remain forever devoid of true sweetness.”

Let us take a moment from our continuous pursuit of happiness and remember those who sacrifice their very lives to ensure our safety. Have we set aside anything for the children and families left orphaned by the hands of our enemies? Consider those who have given up their present so that our children can have a secure future. How will their children celebrate Eid this year?

This Eid, make an effort to spend time with the children of our fallen heroes in your community. Share your joy with them, and you will find your own happiness multiplied manifold.