Eid that is no longer the same
Amidst the resounding takbir (prayer)…
there is a longing that silently falls with tears.
Taqaballahu minna wa minkum…
Happy Eid al-Fitr 1447 H,
Minal Aidzin Wal Faizin,
Please forgive me, both outwardly and inwardly.
On this day of forgiveness,
we forgive each other… but deep in our hearts,
there are names we continue to mention in our prayers…
Barayo in our village is full of memories,
our footsteps feel heavy in our togetherness.
There is laughter… but it is no longer as complete as before,
because something is missing… and will never return.
This Eid feels different…
There are empty chairs,
there are voices no longer heard,
there are hugs that used to be there… now only memories remain.
Some have lost their fathers…
a place to return to that was always there.
Some have lost their mothers…
whose prayers never ceased for us.
Some have lost their beloved siblings…
who used to fill their days with laughter.
Some have lost their husbands or wives...
who once walked together in life and prayer.
Now, only silent prayers are spoken,
tears fall unbidden.
May every drop become a prayer,
reaching them...
in the best place by His side.
We smile... but not fully.
Because this longing...
can only be embraced in prayer,
until Allah reunites us... in the beauty of His paradise.