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