Friday Nasiha

Al Maidah
Chapter 5: Verse 114

"God, our Lord," said Jesus, son of Mary, "send down upon us a repast from heaven: it shall be an ever-recurring feast for us (Eid) - for the first and the last of us - and a sign from You. And provide us our sustenance, for You are the best provider."

Commentary:

Ibn Abbas has narrated the following as background story of the request for the Maidah (repast). Once Jesus, son of Mary, asked his Apostles to fast for thirty days and then supplicate. It was likely to be answered since every wage earner is given his wages at the end of his work. So they fasted and at the end of the fasts made the request to their Lord to send them food from the heaven. (Narrated by Ibn Jarir)

We note in Jesus's supplication how he makes his address with all the humility of a servant whose Lord has honoured him. He first makes it clear that he recognises Him, saying, "God, our Lord!" Then he states his appeal, requesting Him to give them a repast that would bring them joy and goodness, so as to be like a festival for everyone of them.

Eid is not necessarily 'a festival' or 'a periodical festival' as generally translated. Abdul Majid Daryabadi states that it is 'an occurance that befalls ... one that happens to one,' or 'the time of return of joy.' There is no allusion here to the 'Last Supper' or any other Christian legend. As-Suddi commented that Eid here means 'a day of celebration'. Sufyan ath-Thawri said that it means 'a day of prayer'.

[compiled from "In the Shade of the Quran", Vol. 4, p. 293, by Sayyid Qutb; "Tafsir Ishraq Al-Ma'ani", Vol. 3, pp. 156-157, by Syed Iqbal Zaheer; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol 3, p. 301]

The Fasting Goes On ...

"Whoever fasts Ramadan, and six of Shawwal, it will be as if he/she has fasted for a whole year."
[Reported by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Ibn Majah]

"The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to fast Mondays and Thursdays".
[an-Nasai, Sahih]

"Whoever fasts three days each month, it is like fasting all the time."
[at-Tirmidhi].

EID MUBARAK!

On behalf of Friday Nasiha Team we would like to wish you all a happy and blessed Eid-ul-Fitr. May Allah accept our Ibadah during the Ramadan and grant us all the Paradise.

Through a month-long training in Ramadan, we tried to master the skill of self-control and obedience to God. We experienced the suffering and hardship of the poor and the joy of sharing with others. Those feelings rekindled a concern for humanity, an awareness of personal shortcomings, and a spirit of shared happiness.

Eid is a day of thanksgiving and generosity. We start our Eid by gathering together for a congregational prayer. We offer our gratitude to God for helping us fulfill our spiritual obligations during Ramadan. Those of us who have completed the fasting of Ramadan express our thanks to God by distributing alms among the poor and needy on this Eid before the prayer.

Eid is also a day of remembrance. The congregational Eid Prayer glorifies God and demonstrates the remembrance of God’s Favours. Along with the remembrance of God, we remember the deceased by praying for their salvation, the needy by extending a helping hand, the distressed by consoling them, the sick by cheerful visits, and everyone by pleasant greetings and sincere kindness. The meaning of remembrance on Eid transcends all limits and expands over far-reaching dimensions of human life.

Every year Eid reminds us to do our best to return true peace and happiness to the World through a month-long process of abstinence, obedience, and care. In this Eid we should try to share the joy of Eid with our family, friends, and all of humanity. Let us make a resolve to make everyday a day of thanksgiving, a day of remembrance and a day of recurring happiness and festivity for people of all colour, faith and ethnicity.