Dear Sisters in Islam!
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu!
It is reported by Ibn Abbas (R), “On the day of Eid al-Fiṭr, the angels descend toward the earth and stand at the openings of the paths calling out in a voice that can be heard by all of God ’s creation—aside from men and jinns—saying, “O Ummah of Muhammad (SAW)! Come before a Generous Lord who will give you plenty and forgive great sins!” And when they come out to the musallah, God the Glorious, The Majestic then says to His angels, “O my angels! What is the recompense for the worker when he completes his duties?” They will reply, “Our Lord and Our Master! That you give them their full reward.” So, He says, “Verily, I testify to you that I have rewarded them for their fasting and their salat with My pleasure and My forgiveness. Depart ye all, forgiven.” (This has been reported by Salamah bin Shabīb in the book The Merits of Ramadan, and in others.)
On behalf of ICNA Sisters, I would like to wish you all a very blessed Eid Mubarak! May Allah accept all your intentions and good deeds done in this month solely to please Him and multiply your rewards many times over, ameen!
Dear sisters, as you rightfully enjoy and celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember on this day of festivities our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Kashmir, Syria, our Rohingya and Uyghur brothers and sisters and wherever humanity is facing oppression. We pray for them, we stand by them in solidarity and ask Allah to relieve them of the tyrannical oppression, ameen. We also plead with our Lord to please remove the unimaginable trials of our Yemeni and Indian brothers and sisters. Allahumma ameen!
Even though we are still in a global pandemic with cases skyrocketing in certain parts of the world, nonetheless we must realign our priorities and practices for the coming years as the Day of Judgment draws near and if we have learned anything it is that our life is short and very unpredictable. Al-Hasan (R) said, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from God for you know not when God’s mercy will descend.” And Luqman said to his son, “O my son, accustom your tongue to seek forgiveness, for God has certain hours during which no seeker will be rejected.”
Dear sisters, as this month of Ramadan is quickly departing as it quickly came, let us avail every opportunity to get closer to our Lord. Whoever from you spent it well should complete the month with even more zeal. And whoever is falling behind should finish it in the best manner, for the reward of actions are determined by their ending.
Once again, Eid Mubarak!
تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم
‘Taqaballahu minna wa minkum
(may Allah accept from you and us ).”
Abeer Sher,
President-ICNA Sisters.
