Genuine hospitality on Eid day

James/Yaqub Phillips

Now, this isn’t going to be the type of article that rears its’ head twice a year and outlines some of the experiences that fellow reverts have on Eid ul-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Most people have read enough of those articles to understand some of the experiences; from leaving Eid prayer and sitting in a shopping centre food court alone or even worse having to dodge conversations to even attend the Eid salah. Instead, this is a challenge and call to action!

Most of us leave the Eid salah at the closest masjid or Eidgah and go to family members’ houses for a post-salah breakfast; followed by a litany of open houses until we get to 4-5pm and decide that we need to go home and sleep all the biryani off.

It’s a routine that most of us know and enjoy however despite all of the houses, the concept of hospitality seems to be lacking!

Hospitality is one of the key concepts demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (s) and as we follow his life and example we should open our hearts and homes to people. This was indeed demonstrated by him.

“A man prepared some food, especially for the Prophet (s), and he also invited four other persons with him. However, an extra person who had not been invited also joined them. On arriving at the door of the host’s house, the Prophet (s) said to the host, “This man has accompanied us. If you like, he will join us; otherwise, he will go back.” The host replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I invite him” (Hadith: Bokhari).

The challenge you might be wondering is to firstly talk to someone at the Eid prayer that you have never seen before or want to get to know better, strangers, reverts, loners. The second part of the challenge is to invite them to spend a part of Eid with you; whether or not they already have plans.

Don’t let the post-salah conversations be empty words but instead a genuine way of connecting with our Ummah and demonstrating the Prophetic example of hospitality.

May Allah bless you and your families on Eid al-Fitr!

James/Yaqub is a high school teacher in music and history and is based in Cairns, Far North QLD.