FELMAUSA President's Eid ul-Adha Message

Allaho Akbaru Laho Akbar, La illaha ila Lah! Wa’Laho Akbaru Laho Akbar, WaliLahil hamd! Allah is great! Allah is great! There is no other deity worthy of any form of worship except Allah! Allah is great! Allah is great! To Allah alone belong all praises.

My brothers and sisters in Islam, the leadership of FELMAUSA brings you very warm-hearted Eid greetings through the most unique and universally acknowledged wordings of “EID MUBARAK”. Please accept our sincere compliments for a job well done. As the celebration of Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) graciously marks the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), this leadership is humbly reminding Muslims throughout the world to kindly take a moment and reflect objectively on the true understanding of Eid ul-Adha – as clearly stipulated in the Qur’an and Sunnah of prophet Muhammad (Peace & blessing upon him). Eid ul-Adha concludes the fulfillment of one of the five basic pillars of Islam – the performance of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca). It is a historically remarkable and rewarding time when Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). The Qur'an describes Ibrahim as follows: "Surely Ibrahim was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

It is in this regard that this leadership challenges Muslims around the globe to incorporate into their lives the supra-mentioned attributes of prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him): obedience to Allah, kindness to our fellow humans, sincerity in our deeds, gratitude and appreciation for the least blessing and goodwill of others, and steadfastness on the straight path of guidance at all cost. In so doing, Muslims must transcend beyond the merry makings of Eid ul-Adha, mere sacrificing of animals, and abundance of food and drink. It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him" (Qur'an 22:37). Our participation in this Eid celebration must at all times remain a true manifestation of our willingness to forego some of our own bounties, in an effort to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We must recognize that all blessings come from Allah; hence, we must open our hearts and share with others.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Islam, the symbolism is in our attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the straight path of Allah’s guidance. Each of us must learn to make small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah’s commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us. As such, we must not woefully dismiss from our lives – for the next 365 days – the attributes learned during this period. Rather, we must incessantly adhere to, and apply, the basic teachings and injunctions of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the prophet (Peace & blessing upon him).

As we go about enjoying the festivities marking the celebration of this year’s Eid ul-Adha, the FELMAUA leadership is calling on all Muslims to remain very grateful to Allah for the opportunity to have participated in any of the affairs of this blessed ten days of Dhul Hajj either partially or fully. It is only right that we reflect on the absence of our family members and friends who could not see or participate in the affairs of this month due to either sickness or death. This could be the last Eid ul-Adha for you and me. If nothing else, it should mark the dawn of our increased responsibilities as Muslims to remain steadfast and strive for constructive and gradual changes in our lives as dictated by the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the prophet (Peace & blessing upon him).

We ask Allah Subhahnaho wata’alah to unconditionally accept our sacrifices, fasting, prayers, and good deeds during this period. We ask Allah Subhahnaho wata’alah to forgive our shortcomings, help us improve by the second, and enable us to continue the good habits acquired during this period. We ask Allah Subhahnaho wata’alah to please make us of the righteous, the guided, and those He loves. We ask Allah Subhahnaho wata’alah to help us become excellent Muslims for His sake, open our hearts towards our neighbors, open the hearts of our neighbors towards us, heal our sick and afflicted, have mercy on our dead ones and save us from any and all things that have the potential to distract us from attaining His Janatul Firdaus. Ameen!

Eid Mubarak! Eid Kareem!