Alhamdulillah, we have successfully completed Ramadan and now Eid is right at our doorstep! Who knew four weeks would fly by so quickly?
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With this year's festive season being celebrated a lot differently, we're sure that many are feeling bummed out by it. But, there are still plenty of things that you can look forward to! That's right- we're here to share with you some of the blessings of Eid celebrations this year that'll lift your spirits and have you looking at the brighter side of things ?
1. An intimate celebration with your loved ones
For many us, Raya will be a stay-at-home affair this year and since visiting relatives may not be on the agenda, it means we get to spend more time with our family ? Take the opportunity to bond with your loved ones over a delicious Raya spread, fun photo session or even an exciting movie night! Being cooped up indoors is not all that bad, and with your family by your side, it's exactly what you need for a joyous and meaningful observance of Edi al-Fitr.
P.S. Wondering what to do this Raya season? Here are 11 ways you can celebrate the festive season at home this year.
2. Perform Eid prayers with your family
Hari Raya is that one day in a year where you'll see Muslims come together in colourful clothes and performing the Eid prayers at the mosque. Unfortunately, that won't be happening this year in our part of the world ? The Islamic bodies of Singapore, several states in Malaysia and Indonesia have advised Muslims to do their Eid prayers at home. But on the flip side, you can still do the Eid prayers at home with your family as it is Sunnah to perform it in congregation. So, make sure to check out our article on the Sunnahs of Eid and how to do the Eid prayers!
3. Minimize food wastage
If you've hosted a Raya open house before, then you'll know that it's normal to be cooking up a storm to feed the endless stream of guests dropping by. And sometimes when you've overestimated the amount of food, you're left with tons of leftovers which can be impossible to finish on your own. Since you'll be expecting less visitors this year (or maybe even none at all), you can easily avoid wasting any food! Making enough for just those in your house will not only save you from food wastage, but you'll also get a small break from having to prep a Raya feast ?
4. Experience a more calming Raya
We all know that whenever Raya rolls around, our schedule can get really packed with multiple house visits. From seeing your aunts, uncles, third cousins and everyone in between, it can get pretty exhausting by the end of the day. So, enjoy this year's celebration at a much slower pace and embrace the calm that comes with it!
P.S. Reap the rewards of Hari Raya with these 8 sunnahs of Eid you can do at home.
5. Connect with relatives and friends you don't get to see often
With more time on your hands, you'll be able to connect with relatives and friends who you don't get to see often - not even during festive seasons. Whether they're living in different states or countries, make a video call and catch up with each other. You can either plan ahead of time or hit them up as a surprise ? Either way, they'll definitely appreciate the gesture and this will be an upgrade from the text messages you send each other.
6. See the true essence of Eid
Hari Raya is a time for forgiveness and the tradition of seeking forgiveness from your family members should still be continued even as you're celebrating at home. This is even more timely as we're spending more time at home during this period and might constantly break out into quarrels and misunderstandings with family members. Hence, this is the time to seek forgiveness and appreciate your family even more. Even if you're not staying with your family, you can still seek forgiveness from them through video conferencing apps, call them or drop them a text message!
P.S. Here's a step-by-step guide to performing Aidilfitri prayers at home.
7. Reflect on the meaning of Syawal
While it's saddening to think about celebrating this Raya differently than previous years, let's all make the best out of it by finding the silver lining and counting our blessings.
On that note, Eid Mubarak to all from the HHWT team! ❤️