Fast 2 Fit #10: Eid Mubarak 2021.
For most of Ramadan, I followed my own advice and tried to stay as far as I can from the TV and Social media. My outside interactions were limited too. I only started to pay attention when the conflict at Al Aqsa Mosque started.
As I learned more, Eid was not Saeed or Mubarak anymore. My heart broke for the people we cannot help, but we can only patiently pray for. And ask Allah SWT to grant them “Sabr”.
Verily in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest.
What is going on in Palestine?
It is the 7th day of brutal nonstop attacks on Palestine by Israel. Hundreds of people dead, thousands injured. Yesterday a large highrise building that housed the offices of AP and Al Jazeera was destroyed. There is destruction and endless suffering.
There are protests all around the world. But the international governments are largely silently watching. Just like they are silently watching the genocide of Rohingyas and Uighurs.
Why does Allah Create and Destroy?
My children often ask me about COVID Deaths. As well as when I told them what is going on in Palestine. They ask me - If Allah wills, everything Why does Allah have to destroy and kill? Why does Allah allow Injustices, Hatred, and Crimes? If this bothers you, as it does little kids we will try to detangle it, some today, and maybe in days to come.
Why do you think Allah is the Creator and the Destroyer? Leave a comment below and let me know.
What would it take for Muslims and Jews to get along?
Are not we all the followers of the message of the One God, some that heard it from Moses(AS), and Others from Mohammad (SAW), and yet others from Jesus(AS).
Netanyahu, the politician needs a war. Like Bush’s needed the Iraq war. But then there is a human side to violence, and wars, and conflicts. That no one pays much attention to. There are Israeli soldiers on the ground. I kept wondering why they want to kill and attack. And stumbled upon this Breaking the Silence. I hope you are able to watch and draw your own conclusions.
What has any of this to do with Fast 2 Fit and Eid and Weight Loss?
Perhaps, something. Or nothing at all. If you are still reading, hear me out.
So on the day before Eid, I was still sad and upset about the war on Al Aqsa. I was still upset about the COVID situation in the rest of the world, as well as some upheaval and tests I am going through in the personal life.
But my kids were supremely excited about Eid. I could not disappoint them. I had the (Eidi) Presents secretly hidden. The kids decorated the wall with these homemade bubble letters. Written and cut by an 8-year-old, and colored by a 5-year-old.
They knew somewhere around where they decorated there will be food and presents and sheer khurma.
And then I also found out the county I live in, is allowing the masjid to use the football fields in the park for Eid prayers. The park and recreation employees were going to clean and sanitize the fields. Each family was to sit close together - men, women, and children socially distant and wearing masks to be separated from the other families. I decided to take the kids out for the Eid prayers and reserved my spot.
On the day of Eid.
I was still sad and upset on the day of Eid. Early in the morning, the habit of waking up for the Suhoor was now perfect. And I woke up even without the Alarm clock. I cooked the food. Set up the Presents for the Kids. Laid out the Clothes. Still tried hard to stay away from the news. I did not want to hear how many more were killed, injured and what else was destroyed.
Kids loved their presents and thanked Allah for sending them what they wanted. My daughter was slightly sad that Allah did not send me a present. She got a box of hot chocolate and told me that Allah said that was the present for me, and gave me a kiss.
We got dressed and started driving to the park, where Eid was to be celebrated. And started reciting - Allah-o-Akbar, Allah-o-Akbar, La-Ilaha-Illallah, Allah-o-Akbar, Allah-o-Akbar, Wal-Illahil-Hamd.
And as we reached the Park, [ Allah-o-Akbar, Allah-o-Akbar, La-Ilaha-Illallah, Allah-o-Akbar, Allah-o-Akbar, Wal-Illahil-Hamd.] was already being recited on the microphones by adults and kids. With such purpose and Joy. My mood instantly uplifted.
For a small amount of time, the hour and a half we spent standing up with other Muslim brothers and sisters, I had forgotten about the poor, powerless, and those under the terrors of war and destruction looming over their heads. My mood was definitely more positive and full of hope. I was physically and mentally feeling better.
Should I feel bad about feeling better when we have others dealing with poverty, war, and genocide? I do not know. But I do know that you have to live your purpose, you have to be peaceful, calm, and not under constant stress.
And Now I see why our Prophet (SAW) made it mandatory to gather along for the Salah. So you can have a definite purpose, you pray together and remember and thank Allah (SWT) together. It uplifts, and destresses you. It takes away the pain and heals the hearts.
Of course, once I was out of there, I spent the day playing with my kids. Many hours later I was reminded of the misfortunes, poverty, hunger, and fear of the people of Palestine yet again.
And the Uighurs.
And Rohingyas.
And Kashmiri Muslims in India.
What can an average person do to help?
Allah SWT is with the weak. Allah mends the broken hearts. One of the names of Allah (SWT) is Al-Jabbar. It comes from the Arabic Root Words Ja-Ba-Ra. According to Lane’s Lexicon here are all of the meanings of this root word.
He set a bone; reduced it from a fractured state
He restored a man from a state of poverty to wealth, or competence, or sufficiency:
or he benefited a poor man; conferred a benefit, or benefits, upon him:
I recovered such a one from his embarrassment,, &c.; repaired his broken fortune, or his condition
I put the affairs of the orphan into a right, or good, state
He restored anything to a sound, right, or good, state
Allah (SWT)’s Name; so-called because of his magnifying self [above every other being], (Ḳ,) and his highness… or it may signify the Restorer of the poor to wealth or competence or sufficiency.
I could possibly pick any of the other names of Allah (SWT), but today. Just this one will do.
Allah is also watching how we react in each of these trying circumstances.
How exactly are people reacting?
I heard from a Self Proclaimed - Indian Technology Ambassador to Israel. He declared in his trending social media post - saying Israeli’s are the most hard-working people (and may be he is right), but then he went on to implicate that Hamas and Palestinians are terrorists. And India should stand with and support Israel. His post was applauded by his friends from Israel and India alike - It was trending on top of this professional social platform.
What this man totally missed was the human cost of this conflict. Either mistakenly or deliberately. It is not for me to judge. All I can remember is people cheering his message and totally ignoring the mindless destruction of life and property and the sheer brutal terror.
How exactly are some other people reacting?
I saw another social media post by a large Muslim Organisation condemning President Joe Biden’s celebration of Eid. And arguing to death about how bad President Biden’s policy is towards Muslims. It has not even been a year, and Muslims are still dealing with the aftermath of hatred from Donald Trump.
I asked them - What is the best way to work with Biden Administration on this issue - condemning that he is respecting and acknowledging Muslims that are safe in America and wishing them well on Eid, Or working together with the administration to help resolve the conflict?
How should you and I react?
This is for you to decide. But I pray that if you are still reading this, or not -
May you never give up hope, and faith.
When you believe in Allah (SWT), no matter whatever hardships and tests Allah (SWT) put you through. You keep the faith and the belief and do what is right.
Conclusion
In one of the previous posts, I mentioned what Allah says in Surah Ya-Sin.
When Allah intends, He says, “Be!” And it is!
Allah knows better. The creation is finished. What if instead of the Muslims, Christians and Jews fighting, we could all unite and live together. What if Allah had intended us all to be together, eventually when we stop being the babies and grow up.
Ameen.
Eid Mubarak.
Hope. Faith. Belief.