Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :Eid is the greatest Muslim festival. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha are the two main festivals in the Islamic calendar. Eid brings for Muslims joy and happiness. At the end of the Holy Ramzan, the Muslims all over the world celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr. ‘Eid’ means ‘joy’. So the occasion conveys the message of ‘joy’. All the members of Muslim Ummah have the right to share the joy. It is observed that the vast majority of the community is deprived of the joyful celebrations, because of their poverty. The poor, destitute and have-nots fail to share the joy. The question and scope of equal enjoyment lies far from the scene. There is another section of people who are chained. Their lands are subjugated, dominated and ruled by alien tyrant rulers or their puppet representatives. They have become the victim of inhuman oppression and tyranny. Intolerance and hatred, because of their Faith, has been their destiny. These helpless people are also deprived of the ‘joy’ of ‘Eid’ celebration. These two sections of the Muslim world from a large section of the World population and the cry of those agonised souls is just a tragic chapter opposite to Eid celebrations. This part of suffering humanity including other helpless communities, who are comparatively small in number, urgently need help from the able brethren of greater human society.Who will protect the right of the economically deprived class? Allah has ordained responsibility upon the followers of Islam through the Holy Quran and Sunnah. Divine revelations are there to guide the scholars and intellectuals, the clerics and religious leaders for their struggle to establish equitable economic system, where the right of every individual is ensured. Who will defend the helpless people, suppressed and oppressed by alien forces in the Muslim lands? Here also, Allah has not to come to rescue. The responsibility of this noble task lies with the followers of Divine Faith, especially on those who are well acquainted with its teachings. The chained Muslims in different regions of the globe are groaning under barbarous atrocities, humiliation, and crying for freedom and emancipation. But who cares? In a worldwide tragic catastrophe the celebration of Eid seems to be completely different, where the suffering humanity, either they be deprived of their economic share on equitable distribution or suppressed by tyrannical rule, is ignored. Strange it is that, we believe in Allah, offer prayer, observe fasting, join Eid and Hajj congregation and observe some other rituals; but many of us don’t pay heed to this heart-rending cry. Two major crises are here. The deprived people and the chained. The crying need of people cannot be ignored. Introducing Islamic economic concept and establishing this system in the Muslim world is an issue on the one hand; and checking aggression and oppression unitedly is the other. The Holy Quran has enjoined upon the Muslims and the Sunnah has demonstrated to them the way of struggle against the two inhuman conditions. There is no scope of deviation or violation, while we claim to be Muslims. Eid-ul-Fitr should not be confined to a limited section of people in their pomp and splendour. It should be extended to the poor and chained helpless people. Otherwise, it loses its universal appeal and message of brotherhood. The Sadaqatul Fitr, obligatory on Muslims, is a symbolic component of Islamic economy and clarion call to help the needy. Though Sadaqatul Fitr is meant for the Eid day only, general Sadaqat and alms giving is an unending process of helping the poor and the destitute. Zakat, the compulsory obligation of the wealthy section of the society, to pay as a ‘right’ of the concerned needy, is the best means of alleviating poverty and ensuring solvency. And, above all, the institutionally organised economic system of equitable distribution of wealth is subject to implementation. Our claim as Muslims necessarily implies our loyalty and dedication to materialise this system. Eid celebration should not exclude the ill-fated section of humanity under alien atrocities and domination. They are to get rid of inhuman treatment. Though Eid comes and departs, ‘joy’ does not shine on the Muslim people in those regions. They are out of festival, festivity and celebrations. Our claim as Muslims necessarily binds us for sympathy and help, so that they also can celebrate Eid with ‘joy’.2.The night preceeding Eid-ul-Fitr has a special grace and significance. It is the night to be ready to welcome Eid-ul-Fitr-the festival of joy. ‘Eid-night’ is the preparatory night for receiving the Eid as ordained by Allah Rabbul Aalameen. Offering gratitude of Allah, paying Sadaqatul Fitr and two raka’at Eid congregational prayer, entertaining relatives, friends and giving alms to the needy are rituals and customs of the Eid-ul-Fitr.Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) said, “He who passes the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha through prayers will never waiver or be afraid of the Day of Judgement while others will tremble and quiver on that Fateful Day.”The month of Holy Ramzan trains us to attain ‘Taqwa’, to avoid evils and do virtuous deeds according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah. We should firmly pledge to follow these in our everyday life throughout the year. The joy of Eid presupposes this submission or commitment from us unconditionally. So, it calls for our voluntary readiness to accept the day with all its rituals, injunctions, spirit and message. We should seek forgiveness from Allah for our known and unknown faults relating to the observance of month-long fasting of Holy Ramzan.Let the Eid-ul-Fitr remind us of our great responsibility towards the suffering humanity. Let us hope, the exploited, deprived and chained Muslims of the World will be able and free to share the joy of Eid Day.Let Almighty Allah help the Ummah by His infinite Mercy, Forgiveness and Grace.On this great occasion we re-affirm our pledge of co-operation to build the cherished solidarity of mankind, according to the injunctions of Holy Quran and Sunnah. Eid Mubarak!
