Salamu Alaykum. Eid Mubarak to all of you and may Allah (swt) bless you and your families. As we grow older Eid can seem less and less exciting, but why? As children we were always excited for Eid day because it meant new clothes, gifts and money. Children don’t really understand what Eid is or should be but they know it’s a time of gathering and gifts. Growing older we realize that it’s fine to wear the same thing two Eids in a row and that we wouldn’t get as many gifts. Eid just seems more like a regular day. Sometimes we even decide to just go to work because there isn’t really anything else to do. We feel as if Eid as a child was more meaningful but that’s only because we looked at Eid in a different way.  

Instead of receiving gifts and spending money on new clothes, why don’t we give? There are so many people who are less fortunate that would be ecstatic to receive new outfits for their kids on Eid. There are so many people who don’t even get the chance to celebrate Eid day with decent food. May Allah (swt) give them patience. We are so blessed to even feel bored or indifferent on Eid when there are so many families who wish they can provide their children with basic clothes or gifts. 

As we grow older we look for something more wholesome and meaningful on Eid. Why don’t we focus on doing more good on Eid? There is so much that you can do to help others. Allah (swt) says, “And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah” (2:110). Don’t do good deeds for the sake of posting about it on social media or to feel good about yourself. Allah (swt) knows your intentions and promises that whatever good you do, it will come back to you, inshAllah. Make your next Eid about giving instead of receiving. May Allah (swt) purify your intentions and bless you.

Written by Anan Helwih