Barka da Sallah

Muslims all over the world have gone through 30 days of fasting, during which they increased their spiritual devotion for favours from Allah.

Eid-ul-Fitr represents the occasion for feasting and remembering Allah for His blessings and sustenance before and during the Ramadan.

Today, Muslims will give thanks to Allah for the gift of fasting, during which they avoided food, drinks and sexual  intercourse from dawn to dusk out of obedience and servitude.

The Prophet Muhammed (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of faith, seeking its reward, shall have all their past sins forgiven.”

We are told that the Eid prayer is very dear to the heart of every Muslim.

According to Muslims, the feast has the merit of the five daily prayers, as mandated by Allah. It also has the effects of the weekly Friday convention known as ‘Jumu’ah’ and the characteristics of the annual reunion among Muslims.

Devout Muslims think the Eid has no match in the sphere of religious denominations because of its moral and spiritual characteristics.

At all the prayer grounds in Ghana  and elsewhere, Muslims will assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to offer gratitude to Allah for helping them to fulfil their spiritual obligations.

And since the Eid is one of the charges imposed on Muslims, those who profess to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammed will find space today to show their gratitude to Allah by way of giving alms to the poor, needy and vulnerable.

Muslims find the giving of alms an obligation and major part of the Eid highlights because this form of appreciation to their Maker is a wholesome spiritual uplift that is peculiar to Islam.

The celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr will not be limited to revelry in Muslim communities across the globe to make up for what they lost during Ramadan; time would be found for prayer to glorify the name of Allah for His mercies.

This year’s Eid is being celebrated at a time when Ghana is at the crossroads as it anticipates a historic verdict on the hearing of the election petition at the Supreme Court.

Various groups and individuals have appealed to all Ghanaians not to treat the election petition as a do-or-die affair. Ghana is bigger than the parties in the petition. Everybody’s prayer, including that of Muslims, is needed to sustain the peace of the country and, more importantly, our own commitment to peaceful co-existence.

And for those who have faith in Allah or God, there is always the belief that Providence can shape our destiny for the better and if we continue in communion with Him, any bad omen will pass us by.

The Eid is also a day for forgiveness. For this reason, Muslim leaders and scholars must lead the country to pray for forgiveness and the strength of faith.

It is said that those who approach Allah with sincerity of heart attain forgiveness. Therefore, we call on all Ghanaians never to harbour any enmity or ill feeling towards their brothers and sisters.

The Daily Graphic thinks that Ghanaians need stronger bonds of comradeship at this stage of our history, so that whichever way the Supreme Court verdict goes, we shall continue to live together as one people with a great destiny.

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Daily Graphic wishes all Muslims Barka da Sallah.