Celebrations and festivities mark another way of enjoying the various moments and blessings of life with friends, relatives, family and loved ones. Likewise, on such occasions, people share unforgettable moments and experiences with the whole society and not only with their smaller families. Being in this kind of celebration mood is very inspiring and encouraging to refresh one’s mind and spirit alike. As well, living a moment of happiness with one another helps strengthening relations with others and breaking the daily routine of one's life.
Different occasions are already marked in people’s annual calendar wherein they all enjoy their time and joyous moments. Regardless of the reason behind every occasion, people strive not to miss enjoying its spirit, fun and excitement. As Oprah Winfery said: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate”. Therefore, the mood of celebration should be the unconditional attitude of all, regardless of what life brings.
It has been said that celebration happens when the mind unites with the spirit. That is why everybody needs to get into such attitude very often, even if there is no occasion to celebrate or commemorate. Reviving the spirit of joy and happiness could be marked for the sake of refreshing oneself, mind and spirit of course. Certainly, getting together with your loved ones in joyous gatherings will help people to be more relaxed, satisfied and encouraged to do more, especially at work. Living moments of fun and enjoyment could be a differently effective remedy for both mind and soul.
Among the key annually booked occasions in the calendar is Eid al Adha - a religious ritual observed by all Muslims worldwide on the last month of the Islamic calendar. This occasion stands as the second of two Islamic religious celebrations commemorated every year and considered the holier of the two. This Eid is called Festival of Sacrifice or Feast of Sacrifice instead and linked with the ritual of performing Haj (pilgrimage), which is regarded the fifth pillar of Islam. It presents a high religious significance to all Muslims around the world.
This Eid is marked because it honours the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to the command of the Almighty Allah. Before the Prophet sacrificed his son, Allah provided a male goat to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal shall be sacrificed and divided into three parts - one third of the share is given to the poor and needy people; another third could be given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family. This represents the animal that Ibrahim sacrificed in the place of his son.
The story of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) as preparing to offer his son Isma’il as a sacrifice to Allah is not simply offering flesh and physical body, but more so of spiritual sacrifice and submission to Allah. Here is the verse of holy Quran, “And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him. “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision”. Indeed We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with great sacrifice, and We left for him favourable mention among later generations. Indeed he was of our believing servants”.
As a much-awaited and a must-to-celebrate religious occasion, people have observed Eid al Adha differently this year due to the full lockdown that the Sultanate had during Eid holiday. Therefore, it was unfortunately not observed with full delight and spirit unlike the past years. People have commemorated the occasion at home with their smaller families. Instead, they have virtually congratulated and shared Eid greetings with their relatives, friends and neighbours with phone calls, text messages and on social media. Hence, Eid was somehow observed in low-spirited celebrations.
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