Eid-ul-Adha
"Adorn the two festivals with frequent chants of La Ilaha IllAllah (There is no god but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), and with glorification of Allah."
- Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
This Eid is celebrated after the Hajj pilgrimage is performed and is considered the greater Eid (in comparison to Eid-ul-Fitr). This Eid is to commemorate the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make when he was going to sacrifice his son (God accepted the intention of the sacrifice; and thus a sheep or goat took the place of his son). Every year, Muslims from every sect and every part of the world travel to perform this journey; all as equals in front of the Almighty (SWT).
This Eid kind of reminds me of Thanksgiving in the sense that it helps us to appreciate things around us a lot more. During the Hajj journey, you are in the most humble state and an equal with everybody. While I haven't been for Hajj, I've heard many stories behind it. And it often makes such a change in people that nobody every returns the same way they want. It also reminds me of Thanksgiving because of the unity factor (as in our secular society, people of different faiths celebrate Thanksgiving). During Hajj, everybody is an equal: rich & poor; black, white, & brown; short & tall; Sunni & Shia. The only that one distinguish one person from another would be the purity of one's heart and intention.
The sacrifice of this Eid also reminds how close Muharram is, and how the greatest sacrifice was given in order to save Islam. The sacrifice that I speak of is Aba Abdillah, Imam Hussain (AS) and his family/companions on the plains of Karbala (as well the events that took place after). I'm saving that blog for another day. But the main reason it reminds me of this is the 360 turn that takes in a month. One month, we celebrate a sacrifice that was made where Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, and it was accepted without having to sacrifice his son. And yet in the next, we mourn the greatest sacrifice ever made where even Aba Abdillah's (AS) 6-month old baby was also not spared, receiving a three-pong arrow (used to kills camels) to his throat when all Aba Abdillah (AS) did was ask water for the child.
Eid-e-Ghadeer
(Mawla), Ali here is to be his Master. O Allah, be a supporter of whoever supports him (Ali) and an enemy of whoever opposes him and divert the Haq (right) to Ali."
- Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
This was the day where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) declared Amir ul-Momineen, Imam Ali ibne Abi Talib (AS) as his successor. This was done after the Prophet's (SAW) final Hajj at Ghadeer-e-Khumm. On this day, our faith was completed. These were crystal clear words from the Prophet (SAW), and yet people still deny who the rightful successor after the Prophet (SAW) really was. It astonishes me how people can deny the right of Imam Ali (AS) after all the times the Prophet (SAW) declared Imam Ali (AS) as his successor.
And yet when his right was denied, Imam Ali (AS) also sacrificed his right for the betterment and unity of the Muslim Ummah. The amount of patience that Amir ul-Momineen (AS) showed during this time was simply incredible. And he did this with complete akhlaq (the practice of virtue, manners, & morality).
What astonishes me here is that people who claim to love the Prophet (SAW), Imam Ali (AS), and the Ahlul Bayt (AS) can't even follow the same akhlaq and steps that the Masumeen (AS) lived their lives by. Their ignorance has unfortunately further cause a divide in the religion when unity is crucially needed. Some have even gone as far as to insults some of the respect of the religion, those who have sent their whole lives dedicated to serving the religion and studying is laws to be applied in all aspects of our lives. Its really sad to see some people not understand certain concepts properly in the religion.
And by this, I don't mean you don't compromise or sacrifice your beliefs. That's not what unity is. You should still practice it, and TEACH others about why you do certain things. Will people get offended and insult you? Of course. But remember that you attract more flies with honey.
And also remember the story of the Prophet (SAW) and the lady who used to throw garbage on his head every day; the day when she didn't drop anything, he went and check on her to see if she was okay. This is the ESSENCE and AKHLAQ of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Eid-e-Mubahila
"And whoever argues with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say, 'Come, let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and ourselves and yourselves, then let us humbly pray to our Lord and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars" - Surah Ale-Imran (3:61)
"O Allah, these are the people of my Household (Ahlul Bayt). They are my confidants and my supporters. Their flesh is my flesh and their blood is my blood. Whoever hurts them, hurts me too. Whoever displeases them, displeased me too. I am at war with those at war with them. I am at peace with those at peace with them. I am the enemy of their enemies, and I am the friend of their friends. They are from me and I am from them."
- Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Eid-e-Mubahila is really special to me for multiple reasons. The first reason is because I gave a speech when I was younger (I can't remember what age). I'll see if I can possibly even dig that out from somewhere. The second reason being is that this is the last Khushali (Happy Occasion) of the Islamic year.
The third reason is based on the event itself (Google it if you want to know the background). This event basically shows importance of the Ahle Kisaa (AS):
- Sons = Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS)
- Women = Bibi Fatimah (AS)
- Ourselves = Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Imam Ali (AS)
The final reason (that comes to mind) on why this Eid is really special is because of the historical events that are commemorated after. As the Islamic year ends on a fairly happy note with this celebration, the beginning of the Islamic year starts off mourning Aba Abdillah (AS) and the tragedy of Karbala. And this ties back to both Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-e-Ghadeer. It ties back to Eid-ul-Adha again because of the greatest sacrifice made and the 360 change of celebrating the acceptance of a sacrifice to the mourning of the greatest sacrifice. And it ties back to Eid-e-Ghadeer because the army (L/A) that fought against the grandson of the Prophet (SAW) were seeking revenge for the valiance of Imam Ali (AS) in the battles that were faced and where he would defend the Prophet (SAW) and Islam against the fathers of the people in the army who were looking to destroy the religion. Some even had the audacity to think they were on the correct path. If only they had paid attention to Eid-e-Mubahila and took the route that Janab-e-Hurr (AS), where he switched sides & came on the right path by defending Aba Abdillah (AS).
So that wraps up the three Eids. In just a couple of nights, Muharram will begin.
InshaAllah I'll attempt to do a blog within the first few nights related to it as well.
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