Why are the traditional joys of Eid-ul-Fitr dying?

Eid is the religious festival, on the arrival of which the entire Islamic world lights up with happiness, smiles and joy. Eid is an Arabic word, which is derived from Oud.

The literal meaning of Eid is the coming of something again and again, but the literal meaning is great joy. That is, Eid has been declared a “day of joy” for the believers because of the announcements of the fasting of Ramadan, the revelation of the Qur’an, Lailat-ul-Qadr, mercy and forgiveness from Allah Almighty and freedom from the punishment of Hellfire.

Eid is a day of joy and happiness, which is also a pleasure to wait for and this pleasure is also shared with others through greeting messages. On this day, children, young and elderly men and women dress up in new clothes and the men proceed to the Eidgah, where they pray two rak’ahs in congregation as a thank you. After the Eid prayer, the series of Eid greetings and greetings begins.

People apologize to each other for their shortcomings, transgressions and mistakes, then the cycle of eating and feeding begins. Even if a person is financially weak, he feasts guests and other friends and relatives by preparing the best and best food according to his strength. Even in the homeland, Eid is celebrated with traditional and religious fervor, here every class tries to share in the joys of Eid… But with the passage of time, some traditions, trends and things related to Eid have changed. Some are constantly evolving through a process of change.

Eid is generally a joyous festival for people of all ages and genders, but the joy of children and women is especially visible. If a woman does not apply mehndi on this auspicious occasion, it gives the impression that she may not have had the joy of Eid. Mehndi has become a special metaphor of happiness on the occasion of Eid. The henna plant has been of exceptional importance in the subcontinent since ancient times due to its red color and medicinal properties.

The history of henna dates back to Egypt 5000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians applied henna to the hands and nails of the dead when mummifying Pharaohs with the belief that they would be identified as Pharaohs after death. While in ancient times in Arab regions, henna leaves are used to dye clothes to make them fragrant. Due to the immense properties of henna, it has been called “Sayyid al-Rihan” in Arabia, meaning the lord of fragrant plants.

Especially the fine fabrics of Damascus were dyed with henna. The Mughal emperors first introduced mehndi to the subcontinent in the twelfth century. At that time, only queens, princesses and rich women applied henna. With the passage of time, the custom of henna became common in India. We have the most henna in Bheera and Melsi in Punjab, while in Sindh the most henna is cultivated in Nawabshah. Mehndi is not only beautiful designs on the hands and feet, but it is also a reward for women from the Islamic point of view.

In ancient times, henna leaves were rubbed and used in homes, then when times changed, its powder started to be used. Now Bani Bani Mehndi is available in ‘cone’ and other forms, which are used by women for designing directly on the hands and arms.

Preparation of Eid without bangles for women is considered incomplete, the clear reason for which is the huge rush of women at the stalls of bangles in the moon night. The melodious tinkling of bangles brings a sense of joy to the ears. Earlier women used to use copper bangles, then sea shell, copper, gold, sea shell, stone, pure precious metal and pearls also started making bangles.

Making and wearing bangles is an ancient tradition, which is still alive today, but with the passage of time, there have been changes in the materials used to make bangles. Historically the trend and practice of bangles started in Moen Jo Daru (2600-BC), followed by copper bangles from India. When it comes to bangles in Pakistan, the most popular bangles are from Hyderabad (Sindh). keep

In accordance with the special festival of Muslims, the trends of mehndi and bangles have been driven by the process of change and development with the passage of time, but there are also some traditions on the occasion of Eid, which are becoming extinct, such as from today about 25 Until years ago, the joy that was shared with loved ones through Eid cards has become a thing of the past. Purchase of Eid cards for friends, relatives and teachers etc. was regularly arranged.

At first, simple, then colorful and later paper Eid cards with electronic devices used to convey the feeling of the intensity of love, but today, by sending a “Forward” SMS or WhatsApp message through a mobile phone, people express their moral responsibility. The order is fulfilled. There was a time when on ordinary days even on Eid, clothes were sewn at home, including men’s clothes. The mother, sister and wife at home used to have a special place for sewing clothes, but today it has gone beyond the professional tailors, today’s young generation prefers branded clothes. A group photo of the whole family with new clothes is not a priority today as there is always a camera in every pocket like a mobile phone.

Increasing development has widened the roads instead of narrowing them, now on the day of Eid, citizens are moving away from their real loved ones in search of artificial happiness. Three, four decades ago, the colors of Eid were unique. Relatives visiting each other’s houses after Eid prayers in the morning, children’s stubbornness for Eid, exchange of gifts are also seen everywhere, one of the reasons for which can be attributed to inflation. Overall, social attitudes have created distortions in our nature.

Due to the decline of our collective family system, now families can come together only on the Eid festival and even during this time most of the young people, children of the family prefer to spend time on mobile phones and computers, while the elders seem to reminisce about the old times. . The imprints of Eid are engraved on the minds and hearts of adults, in the present age they can only sigh by remembering it. On the last day of Ramadan, the ritual of climbing the roofs and watching the moon together has disappeared. Now, even if the family gathers together, they sit in front of the TV and wait for the official announcement. The custom of taking Eid to the homes of relatives and neighbors on the night of the moon has died out.

On the contrary, as soon as the sighting of the moon is announced, the whole family goes to the markets to make up for any shortfall in purchases. After spending the whole night in the markets, most of the family members go to sleep in the morning and instead of going to the Eid prayer in the neighborhood or the city, they sleep at home.

Innocent trends like taking swings, buying toys, eating golgape, kalfian, choran etc., going for a walk in Tange, getting a bicycle on rent and drawing lottery are disappearing. Therefore, it is necessary to try to revive these happy and loving traditions of the past, for which the most important point is to develop the spirit of self-reliance and sharing happiness with others. , because with this practice we can add color to our dull life and Eids again.