Musing on Eid Day Morning

Eid Ul Adha this time fell on Friday the 26th October which was a working day in UK . This was one of those  rare Eids on which i could not get a day off. I was told by friends and colleagues that i can call sick to get a day off or just make any excuse for getting a day off.I was quite tempted. But telling a lie would ruin all my motives of celebrating this Eid , being truthful and righteous.

It was 4.30 AM in the morning when i got up. In winter ,it does sound like mid night due to  darkness outside my window.I was getting ready for the morning prayer of Eid. I had strange kind of mixed feeling.The nice and great feelings of Eid celebrations but the down feeling of going to work.

“We accept that Eid is religious observance day for Muslims.Due to limited resources we cannot approve the leave.We will allow you ample time in the morning to perform the Eid Prayer”.This was the short email i got last morning at work. The secular society don`t believe that religion is passport for living.I strongly disagree.I can`t live as a pagan or unbeliever which is very similar to the fact that a gay or lesbian cant live a straight life.

When i came to my  room after wadu ( ablution). My other half already finished the morning prayer.”MashaAllah” i smiled . “rare to see someone praying so early” .

I was grateful to Allah that at least i was given ample time to perform the morning prayers.There was time when believers of one God were punished to death.

“Ahadun , Ahadun ( My God is only One , Only One ) ” Hazrat Bilal (Razilahu ) answered when a heavy stone was put on his chest by the unbelievers of Mecca to force him to denounce his belief.

When Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) invited the Arabs to accept Islam and every one threatened him to death.No one initially wanted to help him as they were scared for their life as well. Hazrat Ali Razilahu at the age of ten, only10 , stepped up to support him without any fear.

I was thinking about all that while  i finished my morning prayer i had a quick breakfast and was on my way out for the Eid Prayer and then on way to work.There was a strange pleasantness in the cold chilling wind outside which usually bites.There was a 20 minutes walk to Masjid which i was happy to walk today.

My Mind was still puzzled while looking for examples of any sacrifice in my own life for the sake of Allah. Building career , getting a job , doing something for family was all that came in my mind .

By 11 AM i was in my office and the day resumed as normal.