Central Eid Sermon (Gallery + Video)
Eid Is Both a Joy and an Act of Worship
What have we done in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah – the best days of the year?
The most beloved people to Allah the Almighty are those who are the most beneficial to others, and the most beloved deed to Allah the Almighty is:
- the joy you bring to a Muslim,
- or relieving someone of a difficulty,
- or paying off their debt,
- or relieving their hunger,
- and it is more precious to me to help my brother in difficulty than to perform itikaf in this mosque (the Prophet’s mosque) for a month.
(Taberani, Ebu Jala)
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said on the day of Eid to his faithful friend – the companion and fellow traveler to Medina: “Abu Bakr, every nation has its feast, and this is our feast.”
Allah the Almighty revealed: “And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” (Al-Hajj, 32). Ramadan is one of Allah’s symbols, and respecting and glorifying it, as well as performing the prescribed acts of worship during this month, are key aspects of faith. Eid al-Fitr, being one of Allah’s symbols, also requires respect as part of Islamic faith.
Hajj is one of the primary Islamic rituals, and respecting and performing the rituals of Hajj constitute the essence of Islamic belief. Similarly, Eid al-Adha is one of Allah’s symbols, and respecting and glorifying it are integral parts of faith. If you have lost a loved one and feel lonely and sad, remember that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, lost his beloved wife Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, his uncle Hamza, may Allah be pleased with him, and all his children except his daughter Fatima, may Allah be pleased with her, died during his lifetime. Despite this, he respected Eid as an Islamic symbol and shared the joy of Eid with his companions.
If you feel lonely or exiled from your home, remember that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was exiled from his beloved city, and they fought against him during the first Ramadan he fasted. Despite this, he respected Eid al-Fitr and shared its joy with his companions.
Celebrating Eid does not mean organizing celebrations or turning the house into a theater. We are followers of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and our joy of Eid is an act of worship. For this joy to truly be an act of worship, it must be in accordance with Islamic rules and noble principles.
We perform the Eid prayer with other Muslims, we wear our best clothes, for Allah loves to see the traces of His mercy and goodness on His servants. We visit family and gather around the Eid meal, rejoicing and thanking Allah for allowing us to fast the blessed Ramadan and spend it in worship.
Pessimism, repeating negative phrases, arguing, and mourning at the wrong time and place indicate a lack of respect for Allah’s symbols.
A husband should thank his wife after every meal she prepares for him. Kind words are often sufficient and in themselves a precious gift. However, sweet words and good behavior, accompanied by a gift – regardless of its value – represent the pinnacle of nobility.
Our homes should be filled with love more than with furniture. The cold in the heart cannot be warmed by all the fires in the world, but warm hugs, kind words, mutual compassion, and understanding transform homes from piles of bricks into pieces of paradise.
Therefore, rejoice in Eid in the way that Allah approves, visit family and friends, delight your children with Eid gifts, give presents to your spouses, spread brotherly love, O Muslims. Islamic rituals such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and hajj are not the only acts of worship. Glory and praise be to Merciful Allah, Who has also made the joy of Eid an act of worship.
Eid Mubarak! We pray to the Lord to accept our good deeds and yours!
(Central khutbah of Eid al-Adha by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on June 16, 2024, at the Hiehl Stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette)
