Islam is an ultimate Deen of social equity and appreciation and encourage its followers to be kind in all social format of human nature except those that are harmful to humankind in general. There is an authentic hadith that says ” Choosing a Different Path on the way back from Eid is Rewarding ” It might make you curious why such a simple act of choosing a different path back from Eid prayer can be rewarding. Well, there is a hikmat in it and let’s understand how Eid is significant to us and how much a simple act of choosing a different path on the way back can be rewarding.
Importance of Eid
Eid al-Fitr is held on the 1st day of Shawal, after the holy month of Ramadan. It is a time for festivities, celebrations, and family get-togethers. People frequently visit friends and family, present gifts, and eat together on Eid. The day starts with a special prayer of Fitr which is organized all around the Muslim community before kicking off Eid day. Muslims all around the world gather around to offer that prayer as it is considered wajib-ul-ada for every Muslim.
Arrangement for the Prayer of Eid is the same as for Jummah Prayer as men clean themselves and wear fumes of their liking and adjust their wardrobes likewise bag themselves ready to offer this prayer, never leaving without taking dates in odd number [1]. Meanwhile, women follow the same to offer that prayer in their homes for the pleasing of Allah as males of their houses are offering it in mosques. Part of Eid prayers consists of many items just like a checklist but the concern here in this topic consists of two parts. Further, it has 4 parts to execute it with a plan of sawab.
It starts with marching toward the mosque and returning back home in peace. But as per the commandments of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him it’s encouraged to follow different routes. Choosing an alternative path on the way to home is found in hadith.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو تُمَيْلَةَ، يَحْيَى بْنُ وَاضِحٍ عَنْ فُلَيْحِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ عِيدٍ خَالَفَ الطَّرِيقَ. تَابَعَهُ يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ فُلَيْحٍ. وَحَدِيثُ جَابِرٍ أَصَحُّ.
“Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: On the Day of `Eid the Prophet (ﷺ) used to return (after offering the Eid prayer) through a way different from that by which he went.” [2]
The other four parts of execution come as follows,
- Choosing the Path that has quick access to the mosque saying Takbir
- Find the right place to offer prayer
- After Eid prayer seeing and greeting maximum people in mosques as possible
- Choosing a crowded path that leads to home
You can take this checklist to keep in front of you on the day of Eid so that you do not forget to enjoy the maximum out of it and earn more blessings than any child of your house is having eidi later on.
Benefits of choosing a different path
As we know that Islam is a complete code of conduct this humanity has to practice till the end of this world. There is no doubt that these practices are commanded by Allah and modeled by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him followed by his companions and then every Muslim practice it for their welfare in this world and hereafter. These practices symbolize peace and prosperity in one’s life and the lives of the community they live in and serve in. To date, most beloved and preferred neighborhoods around the world are considered to be Muslims not because of their beard or hijab but rather because of their practices. Allah Talah mentioned it in Quran,
ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا
Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen (practices of) Islam as your way of life[3]
Allah talah has done a great favor to us and the more we praise him the more we understand his hikmah against every command. Undoubtably, Islam is a religion of social welfare as the word itself represents Amal-e-salah (peace) and we see Muslims around the world practicing it every time they see each other they assure other people regardless of any religion they follow Muslims assure peace to them by saying Aslam-o-alikum. These words themselves are very pleasing and relaxing, it also improves one’s connection with other that is why Prophet Muhammad used to practice them himself and set a role model for choosing different paths and earning more reward.
Other than this there are other social benefits as well, written below:
- It allows Muslims to see people they see very often in their community as they are taking crowded paths or alternatives to the one taken before
- It allows Muslims to interact with social minorities i.e., christens, Jews, Parsis, Hindus, or any other religious followers living nearby. Seeing them and greeting them with peace and feast will be an invitation to them for joining Eid Greetings
- It allows Muslims to take an overview of how is the community growing, it may be a possibility that you have got a bonus this Eid from your employer which makes you happy, but does the person living nearby has the same perks or do they need just little bit of contribution to make them feel happy? You got to deal with that too
- It allows Muslims to open conversations and do ice-breaking with the families who just moved into their area and they did not find time to see them before
- It allows them to open the invitation of Eid feasts to the people living near them and are of old age, seeing them and greeting them is a great peace on that day
- As Muslims are responsible for their neighborhood up to 40 houses, it’s an opportunity to have a look at them as if they are comfortable or not. Maybe someone is suffering from depression of losing their house structure you can present them a surprise of joy from Allah, may Allah accept yours [4]
- It also supports you to self-development, we see that on Eid we wear good, neat, and clean clothes but not everyone does then explore them in an alternative path, and curdle-greeting them with defiantly raise a question in your mind as to your pricy clothing? It must do. At that particular moment filling your heart with love for them and ignoring anything associated with the price tag will make Allah bless you with ultimate blessings[4]
- It also is a prime time to visit the nearby orphans and the community, presenting them with Eid gifts with love and seeking their well-being, inviting them for food would increase your status in taqwah[4]
- A good opportunity to see your all friends who are living under that route will be an astonishing surprise on the day of Eid, particularly after Eid prayer its better to note them too while crossing by
- Last but not least, choosing a different route help Muslims every Eid to make new friends and discover a feeling of community with an approach, that makes new friends that’s how the Muslim community is the most liked community in the world
Before we wrap up this topic here is a motivation for introverts as all of this may also result in Allah forgiving us.
Al-Bara bin ‘Azib narrated: That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “No two Muslims meet each other and shake hands, except that Allah forgives them before they part.” [5]
Also, for people who are married there is a special tip for them to take something for their wives on their way to home, a small gift at the start of the day will be enough to make her Eid Day exemplary.
Choosing a different path on the way back from Eid prayer is rewarding, is a part of our series to learn more about the Islamic teachings of manners and conduct, visit our series Time to Revive and develop the best practices set by the example of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir
References
- Volume 2, Book 15, Hadith 73 of Sahih al-Bukhari
- Sahih Bukhari 986
- Surah Al-Maida Ayat 3
- Surah Al-Nisa Ayat 36
- Jamia Tirmidhi 2727
