WELCOMING EID EVERYDAY
عُدْتِّ يَا عِيْدِيْ اِلَيْنَا مَرْحَبًا
نِعْمَ مَا رَوَّحْتِ يَا رِيْحَ الصَّبَا
My Dear Eid! Welcome! You have returned to us once again.
Dear Morning Breeze! How refreshing you are once again!
This is a beautiful and inspirational extract from Awdul Eid by Hakeemul-Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alaih). The connection he draws between the spiritual state achieved in Ramadhaan and the perpetual “return” of Eid is a deep well of inspiration.
Let us delve into the couplet of Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaih) and then, explore its special message for the tireless mothers and daughters who are the very heart of the Muslim household.
The Couplet and its Explanation
The Couplet:
عُدْتِّ يَا عِيْدِيْ اِلَيْنَا مَرْحَبًا
نِعْمَ مَا رَوَّحْتِ يَا رِيْحَ الصَّبَا
Literal Translation:
“Excellent is that which you have brought as a fragrant gift, O morning breeze!
You have returned, O my Eid, to us. Most welcome!”
Detailed Explanation:
This couplet is an ecstatic address from the lover (the seeker of Allah) to the morning breeze (Saba). In mystical poetry, the morning breeze is often the carrier of good news, pleasant scents, and spiritual messages. Here, Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullahi alaih) is saying that the breeze has brought with it an indescribably wonderful gift.
What is this gift? It is the return of “Eid.” But as Hazrat Thanwi explains, this isn’t just the one-day celebration after Ramadhaan. This is the essence of Eid—the joy, the spiritual satisfaction, the closeness to Allah, and the inner peace that a believer feels when their soul is nourished.
The phrase “returned” (عُدْتِ) is the key. It implies that this state of Eid is not a one-off event. Just as the morning breeze visits us every single day, the spiritual state of Eid—the joy of Ibaadah, the sweetness of Imaan, the tranquillity of the heart—can and should return to us again and again, throughout the year.
In essence, the true Eid is a state of the heart, not just a date on the calendar.
A Rhyme for Reflection
For the mothers and daughters who weave the fabric of our homes with their love and sacrifice, this couplet holds a special, practical meaning. Here is a rhyming translation to capture its essence:
“O morning breeze, what precious gift do you bring?
My Eid has returned! My joy makes my heart sing!
You are welcome, O welcome, a thousand times, yes!
For the soul’s true celebration, a state of endless happiness!”
A Message for the Hardworking Mothers and Daughters
Dear Mothers and Daughters, the backbone of the Ummah, the builders of generations, this message is for you. The days of Ramadhaan, with its specific rituals of Fasting and Taraweeh, are passing by. But the state of Ramadhaan—that is the prize we seek to keep.
Think of your daily life. It is a whirlwind of responsibilities: waking up early, preparing meals, managing the home, educating the children, and often balancing work and worship. It is easy for the spiritual high of Ramadhaan to fade into the mundane routine.
But Maulana Rumi’s couplet, as explained by Hazrat Thanwi, gives us a beautiful secret: The morning breeze of Eid can blow through your home every single day.
How?
- In the Act of Giving: The essence of Eid is generosity and joy. When you prepare a meal for your family with love and the intention of pleasing Allah, you are not just cooking; you are distributing the sadaqah (charity) of your effort. When you see the contentment on their faces, that is the joy of Eid returning to your heart. Every meal you prepare with love is a gift you bring, like the morning breeze.
- In the Act of Forgiving and Connecting: Eid is a time of mending hearts. In the daily grind of a household, small frictions and misunderstandings can occur. When you overlook a child’s mistake with mercy, or speak gently to your husband after a long, tiring day, you are actively creating an “Eid” atmosphere. You are bringing the breeze of harmony back into your home.
- In the Quiet Moments of Ibaadah (Worship): You may not have the long, uninterrupted hours for Salaah that you had in Ramadhaan. But the Fajr Salaah you offer in the quiet of the early morning, before the house wakes up, that is your personal Eid. The Dua you whisper for your children’s protection as you tuck them into bed, that is the spirit of I’tikaaf entering your heart. The Zikr you engage your tongue with while your hands are busy with chores, that is the morning breeze of divine remembrance refreshing your soul.
- In the Very Nature of Your Work: The work of a mother and daughter is cyclical. It repeats, day after day, like the morning breeze. This could feel monotonous, but the couplet re-frames it. This daily return—the preparation of meals, the tidying of the living room, the helping with homework—is an opportunity for the return of Eid. If you do each of these tasks with the intention of obedience to Allah Ta’ala (Taa’ah), with patience, and with the hope (Rajaa) of Allah’s pleasure, then every single day becomes a new Eid for you.
The “morning breeze” in the couplet is a symbol of what is constant, gentle, and life-giving. That is, you in your home. You have the power to bring the fragrance of Ramadhaan—patience, gratitude, love, and remembrance of Allah—into your space every single day.
So, when you wake up tomorrow morning, remember: the breeze is blowing. It is your chance to welcome Eid back into your home, not just with festivities, but with the beautiful, hardworking, and loving spirit that defines you.
May Allah Ta’ala accept your endless efforts, fill your hearts with the perpetual joy of Eid, and make your homes a garden of His remembrance. Ameen.
(Khairun Nisa)