Eid-ul-Fitr: harvesting fruits of virtue

EID is an occasion of festivity and joy. It is also a day of spiritual harvest and reflection.

- MOULANA EBRAHIM | BHAM

Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end the auspicious month of Ramadaan, takes dimensions of festivity and joy as Muslims get a sense of accomplishment that follows the exerted devotions and acts of worship that are part of the month of fasting.

Depending on the sighting of the new crescent, Muslims in South Africa will celebrate the day of Eid on Monday, March 31.

Fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam is divinely-ordained as a month of spiritual training, where restraints on carnal pleasures, unbridle and let our spiritual-selves flourish. By self-denying food, water and conjugal sexual intimacy, one is able to transcend the hedonistic and materialistic world, thereby creating an opportunity of spiritual rejuvenation and growth.

Coupled with this self-denial of the physical in order to nourish the soul, through fasting, from dawn to dusk, Muslims reconnect with their Creator with other acts of devotion. Such devotions include the recitation of the Qur'an, offering special prayers — besides the mandatory five - and refraining from all sorts of habits that either sow social discord and distance us from the Creator.

Backbiting, telling lies and harbouring hate for the other, are such vices Muslims will try to liberate themselves from, while fasting.