One World, One Ummah by Abu Iman

2 days to Eid - subject to the sighting of the moon this Sunday.

If it isn't sighted, we continue an extra day of fasting and abstaining ourselves from our nafs. If sighted, we will celebrate Monday as the 1st day of Syawal, the month of Victory for Muslims all over the world.

Ramadhan will be over soon. I am sad to see it go for I know not if I will ever see it again. I pray Allah accepts my prayers and Duaas during this blessed month of Ramadhan.

We have struggled for a month against our nafs, our inner demons, abstaining ourselves from eating, drinking, se*ual relations, monitoring our actions to - prevent from bad actions and promoting good. We pray every night during Terawih prayers to Allah Azza Wa Jalla, seeking Lailatul Qadr, the night that is better than a thousand months, seeking for His forgiveness for our past sins. Only Allah knows whether our sins have been pardoned. We can only pray in hope and fear for His forgiveness.

Those who have filled Ramadhan with fasting, prayers, recitation of the Qur'an and remembrance to our Creator, Allah Azza Wa Jalla, than deserved is the victory. Those who have not, then Wallahu Waklam.....Allah knows best.

Syawal is just around the corner. And like everyone else, I too am excited. The day where we congregate in the morning for mass Eid prayers and celebrate our victory. Victory against our nafs. Reflect on what the muezzin calls when he lauds out, 'Haya Alal Fallah'..... Let us go towards victory.

In Brunei Darussalam, the custom is to visit our families, near and far, to improve on relations, old and new, to hold feasts for family, friends, neighbours and colleagues in our houses and the singing of songs, all this holds steady during Syawal. Our garments are usually new and colourful, the food laden in all its variety, such is the joy and happiness when Muslims celebrate Syawal. It is a joyous occasion lasting a whole month, the beauty that is Syawal. The month of victory.

But let us not get away from the fact that as Muslims, as one Ummah all over the world, we must not be selfish in thinking Eid-ul Fitr or Hari Raya as we call it here is limited to Brunei alone. Think of our brothers and sisters in the so-called liberated Iraq, the oppressed Palestinians, the starving and famine muslims in Sudan, the war torn people of Lebanon, those in Indonesia who have been struck by natural disasters, those in the US, the UK and Europe who are currently undergoing what some say as Islamophobia, Muslims everywhere who are poor and needy who don't enjoy the priviliges that we have here in the Abode of Peace, my home, my beloved Brunei. Beware of excesses in our consumption of food, electricity and time. Let us not follow the ways of the Shaytan. Instead think of our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world. Think of them when when we eat our ketupats and kuih mur and when we visit our family and friends.

Perspective is everything.....

How do I help them you say? They are far and I do not have the money nor means to help them all. The answer lies in our prayers and Duaa. For have we not been taught that Duaa is the weapon of the believer. When we carry out our prayers, give Duaa to them and pray that Allah bless and protect them and guide them through their adversity. They are our brothers and sisters and we are like a wall. When one brick falls from one side, the repercussions are felt by the rest of the wall.

As Muslims, we transcend all borders. Beyond nationalities, cultures, tradition, heritage. Beyond creed, colour, gender and age. The Prophet Muhammad Alaihi Salam said, every muslim is a brother to every muslim.

That aside, I humbly and sincerely as I possibly can, ask and seek forgiveness to all of you, my readers, my family, my friends, my colleagues if I have caused hurt or ill-feeling towards you in any way. I wish you all a happy Eid with your family and loved ones.

May Allah guide and protect us in this world, May He bless us with knowledge that benefits us, May he bless us with the Taufik so as we can implement the knowledge and use it in our daily lives. Amin Ya Rabbal Alameen.

All that is good comes From Allah Azza Wa Jalla and all that is bad comes from my own self.

---

Today's entry is contributed by Abu Iman, a professional Brunei young family man. He speaks on behalf of all of us as we seek forgiveness from each other as we try to make the world a better place for all of us, not just for Muslims but for everyone.

PS. If you wish to prepare for the takbir Eid Fitr, you can download the takbir (both long and short versions) from the zikir library at www.bruneiresources.com.