Sheikh Sameer Manzoor:
Eid is not the celebration of new clothes and sweet dishes; Eid is the celebration of a heart that has returned to Allah after defeating the desires of the self. -Allama Dr. Shaykh Hami (Hh).
Eid al-Fitr finds its roots deeply embedded in the divine guidance of the Quran and the teachings
the sacred nature of Eid, declaring, “The fasting person has two joys: one at the time of breaking
the understanding of Allama Shaykh Hami, is not simply a religious festival that marks the end
of Ramadan, but rather a profound spiritual culmination of a month-long journey of purification,
discipline, and divine proximity. The believer who has spent thirty days restraining the body and
refining the soul reaches Eid as one reaches a spiritual shore after crossing the ocean of self-struggle. He often described Ramadan as a sacred training ground in which the human being
is taught patience, humility, compassion, and constant remembrance of Allah. Eid, therefore, is not merely a celebration of survival from hunger and thirst, but a celebration of the soul’s victory over the ego and the heart’s renewed connection with its Creator. From a Sufi perspective, the essence of fasting lies not in abstaining from food alone but in restraining every limb and faculty from sin and heedlessness. Allama Shaykh Hami emphasized that the eyes must fast from forbidden sights, the tongue from backbiting and falsehood, the ears from gossip, and the heart
from arrogance and hatred. When such a holistic fast is observed, Eid becomes meaningful because it reflects an inner transformation. Without this transformation, the external rituals of Eid lose their depth and become hollow cultural practices devoid of spiritual light. He explained that the true joy of Eid arises from gratitude, not indulgence. Gratitude to Allah for granting the
ability to complete Ramadan, for accepting the fasts and prayers, and for allowing the believer to
experience moments of closeness to Him. In his teachings, he repeatedly reminded people that
the word “Eid” signifies a recurring return, indicating the return of divine mercy and forgiveness.
Thus, Eid symbolizes the believer’s return to spiritual purity and to the original state of
innocence with which every human being is born.
The night preceding Eid holds immense importance in Sufi tradition, and Allama Shaykh Hami
advised that it should be spent in remembrance, supplication, and introspection. It is a night in
which the servant reflects upon how Ramadan has altered his or her character and seeks
forgiveness for shortcomings. Rather than being consumed by shopping and worldly distractions,
the seeker of truth is encouraged to stand in prayer, recite the Quran, and thank Allah for the gift
of guidance. This night, in the Sufi worldview, is a bridge between the discipline of Ramadan
and the joy of Eid, connecting worship with celebration. Central to the celebration of Eid is the
institution of Zakat al-Fitr, which he regarded as one of the most beautiful demonstrations of
Islam’s social justice. The Prophet (Saw) made this charity obligatory, as reported by Ibn Umar
(RA): “The Messenger of Allah made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity and as food for the poor” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 1609).
Allama Shaykh Hami often cited this narration to emphasize that Eid is incomplete if the poor
remain hungry while the wealthy celebrate. His message to the wealthy during Eid was particularly powerful and uncompromising. He would often remind affluent members of society that their wealth is a trust from Allah, not a personal possession to be hoarded. Eid, he taught, is a day when the rich must look beyond their decorated homes and festive meals and remember those who struggle to find a single meal. In his sermons, he would say that the tears of a hungry orphan can extinguish the light of one’s Eid celebrations, and that true happiness is only complete when it is shared with those who are deprived. The care of orphans held a special place in Allama Shaykh Hami’s teachings, rooted in the prophetic tradition: “I and the one who cares for an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” and the Prophet (Saw) joined his fingers together (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5304). He encouraged families to invite orphans to their homes on Eid, to clothe them with dignity, and to make them feel loved and valued. He would often say that if an orphan smiles because of your kindness on Eid, that smile becomes a witness in your favor before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
If your Eid table is full while your neighbor sleeps hungry, then know that you have celebrated a festival, not Eid as taught by the Prophet (Saw).-Allama Dr. Shaykh Hami (Hh).
Eid prayer itself, performed in large congregations, represents one of the most striking manifestations of equality in Islam. Allama Shaykh Hami highlighted that during this prayer, kings and laborers, scholars and farmers, all stand in one row without distinction. This physical arrangement reflects a deeper spiritual reality that all human beings are equal before Allah, and
that worldly status has no value in the divine court. Such scenes, he believed, should inspire believers to remove arrogance from their hearts and cultivate humility and brotherhood. In
modern times, he expressed concern over the increasing commercialization of Eid, where
shopping malls, extravagant decorations, and lavish feasts overshadow the spiritual essence of
the festival. He cautioned that when Eid becomes a display of wealth and competition, it loses its
moral and spiritual purpose. He urged Muslims to adopt simplicity and moderation, reminding
them that the Prophet (Saw) celebrated Eid with humility, gratitude, and remembrance of Allah
rather than with extravagance. The greetings exchanged on Eid, such as “Eid Mubarak,” were
also given deeper meaning in his teachings. He explained that this greeting is not merely a social
formality but a heartfelt prayer that Allah accepts the good deeds of the other person and grants
them continued blessings. By exchanging such greetings with sincerity, believers strengthen
bonds of love and unity, transforming ordinary social interaction into an act of spiritual merit.
Allama Shaykh Hami placed great emphasis on reconciliation during Eid, encouraging people to
forgive those who had wronged them and to seek forgiveness from those they had hurt. Ramadan
softens hearts and weakens the grip of ego, making Eid the ideal time to restore broken
relationships. According to him, a believer who celebrates Eid while harboring hatred and
grudges has not truly understood the spirit of Ramadan. The day of Eid should therefore be
marked by visits, apologies, embraces, and the renewal of brotherhood. Another dimension of
Eid highlighted in Sufi thought is the symbolism of wearing new clothes. He explained that
while Islam encourages cleanliness and beauty on Eid, the deeper meaning lies in the renewal of
the inner self. Just as one adorns the body with new garments, one must adorn the soul with
sincerity, humility, patience, and love for Allah and His creation. External beauty without
internal purification, he warned, is like a decorated house with a ruined foundation.
Allama Shaykh Hami often addressed the youth during Eid gatherings, reminding them that the
end of Ramadan should not mark the end of worship. He urged them to continue praying
regularly, to maintain the habit of reciting the Quran, and to guard their character from sins. In
his view, the real success of Ramadan is measured not by the number of fasts completed but by
the permanence of the moral and spiritual changes it brings about in a person’s life. The Sufi
interpretation of Eid also connects the temporary joy of this world with the eternal joy of the
hereafter. He would draw a parallel between the struggle of fasting and the struggles of life, and
between the happiness of Eid and the ultimate happiness of meeting Allah in paradise. This
symbolism serves as a reminder that worldly celebrations are fleeting, while the true and
everlasting Eid will be experienced by the righteous in the presence of their Lord. Community
gatherings during Eid were, in his vision, not meant to be limited to food and entertainment but
should include remembrance of Allah, recitation of poetry in praise of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and
discussions that inspire moral reform. He believed that when spiritual discourse becomes part of
Eid gatherings, the festival maintains its sacred character and prevents society from drifting into
heedlessness and moral decline. He also stressed the importance of extending the joy of Eid
beyond one’s immediate family and social circle. He encouraged Muslims to visit hospitals, prisons, and impoverished neighborhoods, bringing gifts, food, and words of comfort. Such acts, he taught, reflect the prophetic model of compassion and ensure that Eid becomes a source of healing and hope for those who are suffering or marginalized. The message of Eid, in his teachings, was not confined to Muslims alone but carried a universal dimension. He encouraged
believers to greet their non-Muslim neighbors, share sweets with them, and demonstrate the
ethical beauty of Islam through kindness and generosity. In doing so, Eid becomes a means of
building bridges between communities and showcasing the peaceful and compassionate spirit of the Islamic faith. Allama Shaykh Hami consistently reminded the affluent class that their celebrations would be incomplete if they ignored the plight of the poor. He would vividly describe the contrast between brightly lit homes filled with delicacies and dark, silent houses where families struggle to afford even basic necessities. Such contrasts, he argued, should awaken the conscience of the wealthy and compel them to share their blessings, not out of charity alone but out of a sense of moral duty and gratitude to Allah. In Sufi thought, joy itself can be an act of worship when it is rooted in remembrance and gratitude. He encouraged
believers to smile, to express happiness, and to spend time with family and friends on Eid, as Islam does not promote a life of constant gloom. However, he emphasized that this joy should remain within the boundaries of modesty, morality, and remembrance of Allah, ensuring that
celebration does not turn into heedlessness or sin. Ultimately, his vision of Eid al-Fitr presents it as a comprehensive spiritual, social, and ethical institution. It is a day that celebrates divine mercy, strengthens communal unity, heals broken relationships, and reminds the wealthy of their responsibility toward the poor, the orphans, and the needy. When celebrated in this manner, Eid becomes more than a festival; it becomes a powerful force for spiritual renewal and social justice, shaping individuals and communities in accordance with the higher values of Islam.
Research Scholar (KI)
Sheikh Sameer Manzoor
sheikhsameermanzoor@gmail.com
