It was the last day of Ramadhaan and the madrasah classroom was bubbling with excitement with every child discussing what pretty outfits they were going to wear, where they will be spending their ‘Eid, and what they were expecting for ‘eidy (‘Eid presents). The echoes of “Eid Mubaarak” were heard all over the class.
‘Aaishah was a shy little girl who wouldn’t speak much. However, she had an enquiring mind and would try to understand everything correctly from her Aapa Raheemah. She asked unexpectedly: “Aapa! What does ‘Eid Mubaarak mean?” The Aapa locked the kitaab cupboard, smiled at her and said: “May your ‘Eid be blessed.” “But how does it become blessed, Aapa?” she asked. “Is it just by saying ‘Eid Mubaarak’ or do we need to do certain things?”
Aapa Raheemah replied: “I like that question ‘Aaishah! You are 100% correct. It does not become blessed just by saying ‘Eid Mubaarak,’ rather it is by us spending our ‘Eid in a way that makes our Allah Ta‘ala happy. I can only explain to you three very important things which will please our Allah Ta‘ala and make our ‘Eid a blessed one. We only have twenty minutes left to go home and Zahraa never read her sabaq yet:
“Firstly, we must dress like true Muslimahs. We cannot wear clothes that show our body and shape, or make us look like ‘Tom Boys’.”
By this time the class had quietened down and everyone was listening to this interesting conversation.
“But Aapa, my mummy already bought me a sleeveless top and skinny tights. What must I do now because tomorrow is ‘Eid. Where am I going to get another outfit now?” asked Yumnah with a terrified look. “Why don’t you look for a matching inner in your cupboard, borrow a skirt from Yusrah and tell your mummy that you like it that way,” responded ‘Aaishah. “That’s a good idea,” said Aapa Raheemah.
Then she went on to explain: “Children! The second thing we need to do to make our Allah Ta‘ala happy is that we mustn’t play with boys. We must eat with the ladies and the boys must eat with the men.” “But Aapa, in our house the uncles and aunties always eat together. How am I going to change such a big thing now? My mummy will tell me that if we separate the men and women everyone will get upset.” ‘Aaishah responded again and said: “That’s easy. You must explain to your mummy that it’s more important that Allah Ta‘ala doesn’t get upset with us. This will be a start insha-Allah. Remember if we try to make Allah Ta‘ala happy, he will make it easy for us and everyone will eventually understand.” Aapa Raheemah said, beaming with joy: “Masha-Allah ‘Aaishah. That’s how a true Muslimah thinks.”
“Lastly,” the Aapa explained: “We need to make a point of meeting our relatives that are nearby, and phone those that are far away.” “But you know Aapa, my Gori Foi (father’s sister) lives in the next street, but mummy doesn’t allow us to visit her because they had an argument last year on ‘Eid Day. It was so embarrassing. Now even daddy is not speaking to his sister,” explained ‘Aaliyah. “Why don’t you try this?” said ‘Aaishah. “When you go home today, call your mummy and daddy, sit on their lap and act like you are crying. When they ask you what’s the problem, tell them: ‘How can I enjoy my ‘Eid when I haven’t seen my Foi and cousins for one whole year. I’m missing them so much.’ Then beg them to phone your Gori Foi and invite her for ‘Eid. Insha-Allah this will bring them back together and all of you would have a really happy and blessed ‘Eid together.”
“Excellent, ‘Aaishah,” exclaimed the Aapa. “It seems like Allah Ta‘ala has blessed you with great wisdom and understanding as He had blessed our mother Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).”
“My beloved children! If we try to please our Allah Ta‘ala on this auspicious day by doing these three things, insha-Allah our ‘Eid will really be mubaarak – a blessed one,” concluded Aapa Raheemah.