Eid Sermon

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Allah Akbar is the first phrase a baby hears when he is born. The prayer call starts with Allah Akbar and the Iqama starts with Allah Akbar. With Allahu-Akbar we commence our payer, our Ruku’ and Sujud. With Allahu-Akbar we start seeking His provision.

And on ‘Eid we start our celebration with Allahu-Akbar. Allah says: “ So you shall complete the number and shall magnify Allah for His having guided you and happily you may give thanks”.

According to Islam, ‘Eid, yet it is a day of joy and pleasure, is a ritual that comes upon performing certain act of worship. For instance, ‘Eidul-Fitr comes upon accomplishing the fasting and the prayers of Ramadan and the payment of Zakat. Muslims celebrate their performance of these rituals on ‘Eidul-Fitr. Then comes ‘Eidul-Adha upon accomplishing most of the hajj rites. The pilgrims celebrate their performance to these rites and the entire Muslims share that rejoice by Takbeer. The significance of the relation between Takbeer and the Muslim throughout all the phases of his life, from birth to death, is the reflection of the fact that Allah is the greatest. Allah is greater than wealth. Allah is greater than positions. Allah is greater than the entire world. When this meaning is embedded firmly in the hearts and the minds, we will be on the right path. This meaning is confirmed by our ‘Eids.
Another sincere humane sense is clearly illustrated on our ‘Eid. A Muslim cannot clothe himself on that day and ignore his brothers and sisters who are deprived. A Muslim cannot eat on that day turning a blind eye to his brothers and sisters who are hungry. For this reason Muslims pay Zakatul-Fitr. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: “ Let them not beg on that day.”.  On ‘Eidul-Adha Muslims offer sacrifices to confirm this meaning.

A social sense is illustrated on our ‘Eid. Islam encourages people to strengthen their social ties with their relatives and Muslim brothers and sisters and all people. Allah said in the holy hadith: “ the name of Rahim (kinship) is derived from my name. Whoever shows kindness to his kinsfolk I will show kindness to him and who not then not”. .

Brs and Srs, Allah has legalized for Muslims joy and pleasure. ‘Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, said: “ Abu Kakr came in while two slave girls from Ansar were singing in my presence. He, May Allah be pleased with him, said: The Satan’s float in the prophet’s house”.  The Prophet (P.B.U.H.)) said: “ Let them continue for every nation has ‘Eid and this is our ‘Eid”. .
But brothers and sisters from nearly a century Muslims did not have the chance to feel the pure joy of ‘Eid, since the wounds of the Muslim Ummah are bleeding. The entire Muslim land was under the leadership of the Muslim caliphate. Muslims lived together suffering no discrimination on the basis of colour or race. Muslims were united by their religion. Even non-Muslims, who lived in the Muslim land, enjoyed security and safety. Now the Muslim land is divided into small countries on the basis of racial differences. Muslims are disunited and disintegrated. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: “ Nations will invite each other to attack you as eaters invite each other to a plate of food.”.  The companions asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H.): O Messenger of Allah! Will that be because we will be in small numbers? The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: “ No, you will be many but like the foam of the rain. Allah will remove fear from the hearts of your enemy and will throw Wahan in your hearts. They said: O messenger of Allah! What is Wahan? The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: “ Love of this life and hate of death”. .
Brs and Srs, over the past decade our wounds increased specially in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir and other parts of the world. On a daily basis, tens of innocent civilians, children and old and women are killed. Houses are demolished over their heads. Mosques are destroyed over the heads of worshippers and hospitals are shattered over the heads of the patients and the oppression continues. In spite of all that we do not hear any from the civilized world raising his voice condemning these catastrophes. To the contrary, we hear some blessing these crimes.

Brothers and sisters, Islam is the religion of peace, but peace cannot be established on oppression, occupation and displacement. How can we cooperate with those who are occupying our land, raping our women and profaning our holy shrines? This is not peace. This is humiliation. This attitude results in violence and terrorism. Today many countries have been destroyed under the slogan of anti-terrorism war and there are 70 countries on the waiting list.

In the name of Islam we renounce terrorism and violence. But we are fully aware and believe that violence results in violence. If we want to put an end to violence we have to remove the motives in terms of occupation and oppression etc. Confronting occupation by all possible means is not violence. Had it not been so, most of the countries would have been until today occupied.

Brs and Srs. If this is the case, then we have duties that we have to observe:

1. Holding fast to unity and renouncing disintegration as it leads to failure. Allah says: “ And do not dispute, with an emotion, lest you flag and your predominance depart”.
2. Helping and cooperating with our brothers and sisters in the afflicted areas especially in our present time where earthquakes, flooding and other natural disasters happening on the Muslim lands, like Pakistan. Niger. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) described the Ummah as one body. If any part thereof suffers the whole body shares the pain
3. Showing Islam in its true beautiful image through treating others with good manner
4. Strengthening our relations with Allah and holding fast to our identity.

Brs and Sr. if we fulfil these duties Allah will grant us his victory.

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