Eid Mubarak celebration

First we went to my husband's hometown down south. There were about 40 of us when we gathered around the meal on the last day of Ramadhan. A rare sight. On the first two days of Eid Mubarak, we went to a few houses. Met older relatives. Old faces that we got to see every year during Eid. Exchanging news. I always have a soft heart for older people. Something that Islam has taught me.

We went back home and spend three nights at home as the kids have requested. They wanted to spent some days studying. All of them are facing major examination after Eid. Then we went on up north to visit my parents. My father sponsored the whole extended family to bowling, the family's passion. Everyone aiming to be the champion this time around. A good activity to bond the family's tie.

On the way back we dropped my second son at his college. Some students were already there, studying for their final. Wishing him good luck, we drove home. Yesterday was my eldest son's turn to go back to his college.

This year our celebration is really simple. What's important is not what we wear or what cookies we prepare for our guess. It's more on meeting love ones and seeking forgiveness from each others. Wishing our elder relatives good health so that they can perform their prayers well. I can see light inside their eyes whenever I wish wish them this and they will hug me in return. In that instant it felt as though our souls have touched.

May Allah bless us all.

The blessing of Ramadhan

Ramadhan is in the third and phase. The phase where muslims are freed from the hell fire if they fill up their time with good deeds. Performing solat tarawwih, listening to tazkirah or reminder, giving alms or sedekah, or whatever it is just to seek Allah's pleasure. It is also the most trying phase since festive mood is in the air and people can easily go astray and immersed themselves in the preparation for Eid Al Mubarak or Hari Raya Aidilfitri. To the point that they abandon performing solat tarawwih in favour of shopping and making cookies. Telivision and radio are filled with Eid song instead of Qur'an recitation. Everything has its price. The higher the reward, the more price you have to pay for it. And being free from hell fire doesn't come cheap. We have to put aside our pleasure to seek Allah's pleasure.

I'm struggling too. Eid preparation is on the way. I have to make sure that I fill up my free time with Qur'an recitation or performing prayer or solah.

My eldest son just came home from his college. The whole family is waiting for my second son to come home soon. Then we can travel to my husband's hometown to celebrate Eid with my mother in law. And visiting my father in law's grave on the morning of Eid after performing Eid prayer. Then visiting relatives' houses to seek forgiveness from each other. That's the spirit, to seek forgiveness.

To all muslims out there, make full use of the remaining of the holy Ramadhan to fill our time with prayers, zikr or remembering Allah and reciting the holy Qur'an. This might be our last Ramadhan. Celebate Eid in the spirit of seeking forgiveness from each other.

May Allah bless us all.