Eid: The Day of Victory

The Muslim New Year or Eid Mubarak is a day where we as Indonesian muslims commemorate the end of Ramadhan by indulging in a lot of ketupat, lontong sayur, rendang and opor ayam. For some, it's a long awaited day for they receive a lot of bonus cash from their elders -- or bosses (like the angpao in Chinese New Year). However, my mother always tells my brothers and I that the true meaning of Eid Mubarak does not lie in the food or the money; Eid Mubarak signifies the day of victory. 

I never really understood the meaning of it until this year's Ramadhan. To be fair, I think it's also partly because I never took my previous Ramadhans seriously. I've always treated Ramadhans as the time to finally reunite with my old friends and relatives in break-fasting gatherings (acara buka bersama) -- which basically is just dinner out -- thus occupying my schedule to spend time with lots of friends and relatives instead of devoting my time for ibadah. 

Of course, meeting old friends and relatives is never a bad thing! In fact, it's something my religion and culture recommend as part of silaturrahmi. However, only if I perceived my previous Ramadhans differently, I know I'd dedicate my time wisely to spend more time with my family. But most importantly, time would be well spent for ibadah -- the essence of Ramadhan. 

So what really is the 'better' perception of Ramadhan that I missed out all these years? I guess it's pretty fundamental, but most of us forgot that the holy month is the month of forgiveness, and is the only time of the year where the count of good deeds have a multiplier effect. I believe that when you go to the mosque to take your prayers, even your every footstep to the mosque is counted as a good deed. When you wake your brother up to eat sahoor, or when you wake your mom up to practice itikaf -- every single action you make to wake them up is considered as a good deed. Bearing in mind all the generosity God gives in the holy month, won't it be such a waste to spend most of our time for other agenda other than spending it to do our religious duties? 

This year, I made time to reflect.  I'm grateful that I have also committed and devoted my time to perform better religiously in Ramadhan as a result. This Ramadhan, I'm actually glad that I went to less acara buka bersama, spending more time with my family -- and God. I guess after a whole month of fasting, sleep deprivation, and even messed up sleeping hours... I can finally understand and appreciate the day of victory. 

...And above all, thanks mum. For all the religious lessons you shared. 

Selamat Hari Kemenangan, Iedul Fitri 1437 H.

Dan selamat naik berat badan!

-Syadz