While I missed my family in Japan, this year was especially nice. For the first time in seven years, I had the Blessing of sharing Ramadan with the community where I accepted Islam. Insha'Allah, I will be able to return to Japan during this Blessed month as well as share iftar with those who've I've been separated from someday.
This year, Eid was held on a beautiful autumn day. The sun was shining exposing the spelndor of Allah's creation wherein we are shown the magnificence of His signs. Allah teaches us in the Holy Qur'an that we must balance our learning between those found in the books and those found in creation. Today was a time for both.
Please make du'a for the unity of the Ummah and for the steadfastness and liberation of the oppressed wherever they might be. One note, we have until the end of Shawwal (November 21st) to complete the optional six days of additional fasting and contemplation in praise of Allah as taught by the example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who is to have remarked , “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.”
