Eid Spring Cleaning

As much as it pains me to admit to the departure of Ramadhan, the light fragrance of Eid is slowly dissipating the sacred muskiness of Ramadhan, and calling us to celebrate and carry the scattered pearls we collected throughout this month out in the bustle and noise of our daily existences.

When I was growing up, Eid was ushered with much ado and festivities. Our “spring” cleaning was saved for Eid time and out came the new curtains, paint, nice china. Walls were scrubbed, delicacies prepared, a goat was primed for slaughtering, last minute shopping and the whole island was buzzing with excitement. The night before Eid, women stayed up all night churning out sponge cakes, marinating meats, pre-prepping the rice, chapattis, maandazi (sort of donuts), kalmati (sweets), mbaazi (pigeon peas w/coconut), and much more.

While the women in our house cooked, the men were normally busy with the slaughtering of the goat, skinning, cleaning, and after marinating the meat; a few choice pieces would be barbequed that same night. As a child, I would never go near the actual slaughtering process because it was rumored that if you felt sorry for the animal you were not allowed to eat the meat. Suffice to say, I could never resist the aroma of freshly barbequed meat, so I duly stifled any remorse I felt for the animal, and generally kept away until the meat was served.

The palpable excitement of Pre-Eid merriment was colored by my youthful glasses; we were on the periphery of the work; comparing our new Eid outfits, getting intricate Henna patterns on our hands and feet, hair done, and barely sleeping that night, before being awoken by the glorious blares of Takbir! But I am getting ahead of myself. Now I look back with the lenses of womanhood and all I can think about is how much work our mothers had to do, to create such wonderful memories of Eid for us.

When we moved out West, my mom tried really hard to generate the same excitement but of course from the immigrant’s ever critical perspective it was never the same. Our numbers were too paltry, foods too different, our homes too bare and Mosques too alien for the same infusion of warmth and effortless gaiety.

In the absence of our own cultural space to celebrate and grant Eid meaning, we had to create new norms and modes of celebration. Within that same emptiness though, Eid becomes a poignant time to reflect and plan for our post-Ramadhan spirituality.

This year I am doing my Eid spring cleaning in a bit of a different manner and perhaps you can walk with me through this simple cleansing exercise.

a) Stand before your closet: Look at how many clothes you have. Do you seriously need all of those outfits? How many have not seen the light of day for a month or more? Try to weed through them, make a pile to give away either at the Mosque (for ethnic gear) or your local salvation army.

Before you give any away though, take another look at your pile. If someone were to give you any of those clothes, would you be grateful, happy that you have found something nice to wear. Or would you be repulsed and only reminded of how poor you really are? Go back to your closet, try to part with at least one outfit that you actually like and that is not worn out.

Go look at your shoe and purse collection. Do the same.

b) Go to your pantry: Look at how many cans of food you have. How many of those do you really need? How many have been sitting there for the longest time threatening expiration. Take a box and fill it up with those items. Better yet, shop for a couple more and send them directly to your local Food bank.

c) Do you have a book collection? Do the same.

d) Donate money: Pick a cause, any cause. Pick a person that you know is struggling and could use some money to make this Eid memorable. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Even what seems an insignificant amount to you, will be meaningful to someone else. When you give to someone directly be aware of the etiquette of giving and accord the receiver more than their share of dignity.

If you don’t know anyone, or you don’t want to give someone like 10 bucks, put it in your local Mosque charity box.

e) Now that you have cleaned up some of your material excesses, go find a quiet, empty, place to reflect. Try to use this final night we have to wake up at night, so you can prompt your heart and listen to your soul. Empty yourself out to Allah, pray for strength, for wisdom, for sustenance, pray for all that you need and for all that you dream, and for all that you desire; then spare some prayers for others.

f) Reflect on this Ramadhan and think of your altered schedule; your increase in worship. Reflect on the small acts of spirituality and consciousness your mindset developed from day to day. Now pick just one good habit (like more time reading the Quran); and take that with you into the year.
 
g) Reflect on your flaws and faults. Pick on bad habit that you know you have and resolve to tackle it head on this upcoming year.

Do you have any other ideas on how to effectively spring clean for Eid? Please do share with us.

May Allah’s guidance, Mercy, and blessings be upon you and your loved ones (amin). May He accept our deeds, our sacrifices, and our prayers. May enrich us in increased wisdom, compassion and spirituality for this post-Ramadhan period. May He protect us from the evils lurking within and without (amin).