Eid Mubarak, and it is time to reflect

Muslims to reflect on Eid-Al-Adha | TheGhouseDiary.com

Washington, D.C., September 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?

 Sacrifice is willingness to give up beyond 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 2^nd and 3^rd 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. 

America Together Foundation 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