CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

HOLIDAYS IN THE FAMILY

Holidays are an inseparable part of life. God Himself has set aside particular days for people to rejoice. So that the body suffers no hardship at all on these days, fasting on them is also forbidden. That is, we are talking about the Eid holidays. Holidays should be celebrated well.

The essence of a holiday is rejoicing and sharing joy. The greatest joy of all is seeing one another. On a holiday it is fitting for family members, wherever in the world they may be and whatever important affairs they may have, to be present with their parents.

It is a beautiful deed for everyone to prepare a gift of some kind for one another on a holiday.

Of course, the best of gifts should go to the parents, and then to the children. Likewise, teachers must certainly be remembered on a holiday. On this day grudges are forgotten, no one’s mood is spoiled, everyone smiles at one another, and a beautiful table is laid.

On this day everyone should make it a duty for themselves to rejoice, to go about cheerful and merry, and to set aside punishments. On a holiday, far from upsetting one another or saying a bad word to one another, it is forbidden even to glare at one another. This should be regarded as a great sin.

Then a festive mood will cover everything. The worries of life will leave hearts. Kindness and love, goodness and virtue will unite people.

A person who has never known a holiday lives unhappy all his life. Children must have holidays; even in times of war, people should be able to celebrate.

In some cases, if a death falls on a holiday, it is better, after the mourning, to let some time pass and then celebrate the missed holiday.

On a holiday mothers do not hit their children and fathers do not punish them; everyone only blesses one another with good words. Prayers are said. Smiles are shared.

On a holiday let everything be festive — let everyone dress up in their new clothes. Things are bought in advance so that no one has to go anywhere on business on the day of the holiday, for example to a shop or a market.

Then everyone delights in one another’s company, and hearts are filled with kindness and love.

Of course, alcohol must not be drunk under the pretext of a holiday, for its consequences always bring evil. There is no wastefulness, food is not squandered, no one goes to excess, and everyone keeps far from deeds counted as sins and vices.

A holiday is a means that makes the struggle for life and the work of living easier. It is a means that joins hearts to one another and drives away grudges.

Akrom MALIK