Kazi Aulad Hossain

The name of the greatest Muslim festival in this part of the world is Eid-ul-Fitr. Immediately after a month-long fasting from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan the Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr festival for 2/3 days after the crescent of the next lunar month Shawal is sighted in the evening. And we must remember that Muslim fast not only restrains us from food, drink and sex during day time for full 30 days, it teaches us also to be self-restraint as clearly indicated in Ayat 183 of Sura Baqara of the Quran.

Since the word “Eid” means happiness and there is no other occasion which can match the bonanza and excitement of Eid-ul-Fitr to offer, we must not be oblivious of the interests of our poor relatives, needy neighbours and the have-nots of the society. In this connection it will be worthwhile to refer to Ayat 36 of Sura Nisaa (or the Woman) of the Quran. In this important Ayat Benign Allah declares “..... do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companions by your side, the way-farer (ye meet), and what your right hand possess (slaves). For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious: (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others or hide the bounties which God has bestowed on them, for We have prepared for them who resist Faith, a Punishment that steeps them to contempt.”

As a matter fact, the rich and wealthy persons who think the money and wealth belong to them and they are the rightful owners of their vast wealth and money, then they are sadly mistaken. In Sura Hadid of the Holy Quran Almighty Allah has cautioned the rich and the wealthy that the money and wealth they have accumulated do not actually belong to them, they are merely trustees or custodians of that money and wealth on behalf of Merciful Allah “Rabbul Alameen.”

While thinking of mirth and merry-making, and new dresses and delicious dishes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival do we ever think that there are needy and indigent persons in every locality of the society who can hardly afford two square meals a day, there are helpless widows and elderly women who are putting in their back-breaking labour every day from morning till evening without enjoying even any weekly holiday? Perhaps not.

The rich and the wealthy at upper strata of the society owe a duty to the have-nots and the indigent at the lowest strata of the society. They can easily spend a fraction of their vast wealth to bring smile on their faces, and in that case as trustees of their wealth they will be discharging their duties as indicated in Sura Hadid.

If all the Muslims of the world sincerely and meticulously follow the Quranic injunctions then the economic condition of the poor Muslims on for that matter the poor of the world will be better for sure. That is the teaching and dictates of the Quran and will of Almighty.

Kazi Aulad Hossain is a retired govt high official.