Idul Fitri not an extravagance

Idul Fitri not an extravagance

From Suara Karya

The end of the fasting month of Ramadhan is drawing near.
During the Ramadhan month Moslems refrain from eating and
drinking and other activities which are considered contrary to
the Ramadhan values. Fasting is sort of hard training for Moslems
to fight against all negative desires/passions which can
undermine our wholesome thoughts. But to what extent can fasting
influence man's behavior? The answer can only be found inside
oneself.

Prophet Muhammad said that in the beginning (Ramadhan) was a
blessing, in the middle it is forgiveness and in the end is
holiness. But in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries,
Moslems tend to make Idul Fitri, known as Lebaran, a day of
extravagance. It has become a tradition if not a culture to
perceive Lebaran that way. A parent will feel particularly
unhappy if he cannot buy his children and wife new clothes.

Lebaran should be interpreted as regaining holiness of man by
which he will be able to drop vices and replace them with
virtues, briefly retaining the good qualities only.

ACHMAD SOLEH

Batang, Central Java