Eid Al-Adha 1432/2011

I did plan to post lots of pics of beautiful Eid outfits, delicious food and lovely presents, but I don’t think I stopped still in one place long enough to take many pictures.


More of the same tomorrow except I am playing host this time to about five families (including one that came to stay with us from Glasgow for the Eid weekend, so lots of cooking due and I am trying to think up menu that’s a bit different from the usual.

Hajj Mubarak and Eid Mubarak, I hope this one has been blessed for you insh’Allah.

The Day of Arafat and the Last Sermon

The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the Month of Hajj) is called the Day of Arafat and this is always a very special day in our home and for me personally too. Although everyone is gearing up for Eid on these early days of the month, the mood is very different on this particular day.

The sunnah, or tradition of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was to fast on this day:

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafa. He said, "It expiates the sins of the previous year and of the coming year." ~ Sahih Muslim

This is the day the Hajj pilgrims gather in the Valley of Arafat just outside Makkah to spend the day in prayer, contemplation and finally celebration. My heart yearns to be where they are, to stand before Allah (SWT) and ask for everything I need in this world and the next and to beg for forgiveness for my sins.

Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrated the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels saying, 'What do these people (the Hajis) want?'” ~Saheeh Muslim

Subhan’Allah, this is the day that the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his last sermon to his Companions, with the reminder that these words should be carried to every living person. I can’t help read these words with tears in my eyes, thinking about what the Companions must have felt knowing that the Prophet (PBUH) was delivering his final message. I also feel pride at this beautiful faith and the inherent justice and mercy within its message. I feel joy at the revelation that came down at the end of the sermon:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)

Most of all I feel so very blessed to be a Muslim and a part of this beautiful ummah. Those are at Arafat today will see people from every nation and tribe, from every ethnic group imaginable, man and woman, rich and poor, old and young stand together with their arms raised in supplication as equals before Allah (SWT) and as brothers and sisters.

The Final Sermon

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority over white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Eid al-Adha 2011 - Henna Fun

We had great fun last night with our first family chand raat (night before Eid) celebration.  Technically, it was two nights before Eid, but we fugured everyone would be busy tomorrow night.  We swapped "Secret Mullah" presents (thanks girls!), got our henna done, ate pizza and watched old wedding video's (one from 20 years ago, one from 15 years ago and one from 12 years ago - mine).  The videos were great fun and we even caught two aunties fighting on the oldest one and me punching my brother!

Sis-in-law turned out to be a bit of a whizz with the henna and Fashionista's efforts were rather lovely as well.

Preparations for Eid-al-Adha...or Maybe Not

Most years, I am planning for Eid far in advance. Clothes should be bought right down to the boys socks and little ladies hairband, menu’s are planned, bangles are matched to outfits, the house is cleaned from top to bottom, presents are bought and stashed far in advance and decorations are ready to go up beforehand.

This year though, Eid has just appeared! A mixture of everyone in the house having nasty colds, work being super busy, the threat of redundancy hanging over me, our trip to Dorset and utter exhaustion have all joined forced to distract me completely. It’s kind of nice this way actually. Every now and again when it all gets too much, I stop doing anything but the basics: fresh meals, some housework, bedtime routine and some quality time with the hubby until I feel refreshed and balanced enough to try something different again.

So at the moment I have the next two days (including tomorrow off work) to get haircuts and bits and pieces sorted (balloons and food will probably be the extent of it). I’m not inviting anyone over till the second day, so will be relaxing the first with lunch at mum’s and dinner at my favourite uncle’s place. Haven’t bought any clothes for myself, but found an old outfit in the back of my cupboard – I bought this a few years ago for Kooky, but she gave it back as it was too big (not the lovely colour then?). I tried to offer it to two cousins, but they were not having it either. Anyway, their loss, I’m going to rock it with armfuls of bangles in every shade of green.

I did manage to get a dress for Little Lady. I loved this antique-looking, floor-length, maxi dress. She has pearl bangles she can wear with it and will probably wear with bronze sandals she has (neither silver, nor peach nor pink looked quite right).

It’s not Eid without some fun though. I’ve had my sisters digging up old family wedding movies and we will be throwing a small chand raat bash just for the women in the family tomorrow night – henna, take-away food and weddings from the 80’s (think glittery make-up, shoulder pads, salwar kameez in luminous greens and pinks) – seriously looking forward to it.

We also decided to play Secret Mullah, like secret santa where you all buy each anonymous presents, but not Christmassy. The limit is £5 and I can’t wait to go find something tomorrow for my victim recipients.

Another thing I didn’t do this Eid was make cards.  Luckily, a good friend sent me these beautiful hand painted card which I will be giving to close family.

Gratitude Journal 01.01.2011 - Anemones in November

Just when I had given up all hope of seeing the fruit of the bulbs I had planted many months ago, this beautiful indigo anemones popped up. 

Trip to Dorset: Service with a Smile

I believe in making the time to appreciate someone who has treated you kindly.  During our trip to Dorset, we stopped at a small restaurant in Lyme Regis.  This place was about 10 minutes drive from the beach and town centre and in a car park of all places.

By this point we had struggled to find something we could eat because most places cooked chips and sausages in the same oil.  The people at this restaurant accommodated our various requests.  We ordered jacket potatoes and paninis, but they allowed us to eat some of our food and even warmed it up for us.  Our trip to Cornwall during the Easter break taught us sometimes its hard to find good halal/vegetarian food and so we took some food with us.

The proprietors were the loveliest people.  They really, really did embody the idea of service with a smile (not something England is always known for) and didn't once act as if we are being unreasonable.

Trip to Dorset: Lyme Regis

For some reason I had a bit of a stereotype of Lyme Regis and thought it would be dull.  But when I heard it was a key stop on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and was famous for fossil hunting, I had to include it in our Dorset trip.

It turned out to be a very pretty town, with colourful houses and the loveliest gift shops (which my husband marched past at full speed every time he saw one of us taking an interest).  Unlike Bournemouth's sandy beach, the beaches were pebbly.  The smell of fish and chips truly made my mouth water, but every shop we asked at cooked the chips in the same place as their sausages, so we sadly had to give them a miss.

We broke lots and lots of stones, but didn't find any fossils.  We did find one with the shape of a limpet embedded in it.  Little Lady happily took that in to school for show and tell with the pretty rocks and shells she collected.  Good enough result for me.

Trip to Dorset: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door

Lulworth seemed like a good place to stop in Dorset.  On arriving though, although I found the town picturesque, the cove felt like a bit of a let down: smaller than imagined, no boats around (probably too choppy) and not much to do.

The walk to nearby Durdle Door, the famous rock formation in the pictures at the bottom of this post, was worth the trip though.  The walk involved a very long, steep walk alongside a cliff edge (I am terrified of heights) and I was less than half way up before my legs, back and chest gave up completely and I was a pathetic, breathless, exhausted mess.  Hubby had to help me up much of the way and thought it was hilarious to go over the barrier and right up to the cliff edge to scare the heck out of me.  The long walk meant we left mum, mum-in-law and the kids behind, much to their indignation (and our delight).  Bit embarrassing though to get to the top and find it full of kids and old age pensioners.  I think I need to find steeper places to practise my walking in.