Praises be to the Lord of the world, we have managed to steer through Ramadhan with His Grace and emerged victorious over and high above our desires. And now, Eid is here, welcoming us with takbir and lots of food. Lots and lots of glorious food. Of course, some of us will say that it is totally alright to tackle the delicious spread with the gusto that has been repressed during the fasting month (we were supposed to have control over our desires, right?).

Besides food, why not add a new piece of furniture or two, new covers for the cushions, the newest Samsung Curved LED TV and maybe three new pairs of shoes from Aldo for Eid? Oh, and no harm throwing in a Prada bag. The arm does need an accessory.

Most times, we do all these without much thought and end up overdoing it, burning a hole in our pockets. Regret creeps in like that naggy voice in the head that does nothing but guilt me into asking myself: Are all these really necessary? Trust me, it is human nature to want to look like a million bucks sometimes. Even if it is not a million, a thousand will do. I must admit, I myself am guilty of trying to look more than what I am worth (which is pretty much just my much too humble bank account) by doing away with all my savings for all them glamorous pleasure.

Oh, come on. Everyone will want to look good for Eid, all decked in the most well known brands that we can only dream of as teenagers with our 20-dollars-a-week allowance, attracting praises, ooooohs and waaahhhhs. It feels good sometimes, doesn’t it? Just ask the aunties with the whole jewellery store on both their arms, they will understand.

What we do not realize is that we are leaving behind all that we have gained during the month of Ramadhan. We have sought knowledge religiously and practised sunnah on a regular basis only to forget all that the moment Ramadhan bids goodbye. Allah swt has told us to be moderate in our food and drink as seen in surah al-A’raf, verse 31, “And eat and drink but do not waste extravagantly, certainly He (Allah) does not like the extravagant.” In this verse, Allah is Teaching us to be moderate in the necessities of life.

Furthermore, Allah swt has also Ordered us to be moderate when we spend. In surah al-Furqan verse 67, Allah swt says that, “And those, who when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” From these two verses, it can be seen that Islam is a Deen that values living life in moderation, one that does not consist of extreme luxury yet sufficient enough to sustain a decent living.

We have all been guilty of falling into the trap tantalisingly hidden at the luxurious end of the spectrum when Eid is near, haven’t we? I believe one of the reasons why we did what we did is due to the fact that we want to portray ourselves in a certain socially acceptable light, especially since guests will be pouring in every minute. We want to look cool, we want to look of a certain socio-economic standard, we want to be admired. We would want to be known as the girl with the gorgeous Prada or the abang with the coolest man cave every time guests pay a visit, and most definitely not as that Makcik with the fake Louis Vuitton (admit it, you have been guilty of spotting one before).

Oh, no. It is not wrong to own a luxury bag or the coolest new gadget in town. It has never been wrong to want to achieve that beautiful home that you have always dreamt of ever since you were a kid (for me, a  house with a room on the third floor that has a slide which leads me to the Olympic-sized swimming pool). If you can afford it, by all means go ahead and get what you want. As long as you do not drown yourself in debt to attain all these superficial acknowledgements, I am no one to tell you to change your lifestyle. The main point here is not to convince you to stop getting all them luxury products, but to encourage you to live in moderation and be thankful for all that you have.

Moreover, when you rid your lifestyle of extravagance, you will be more capable of helping those who are in need. What you have are the answers to somebody else’s prayers. Hence, sharing them will be the most selfless and generous thing to do. Allah has Given you all that rizq not for you to give in to your nafs and desires, but to do good out of all that.

Do good to your parents, your family, your children, those who need it more than you do. People like me, oh how I wish I can do a lot for the orphans and the poor, but I myself am struggling to make ends meet.

Remember that special power which you have attained during Ramadhan, the one where you are able to control your nafs and do all that which Allah Loves and has Told you to do. Be mindful of how you spend your wealth and ensure that you channel it well and gain Allah’s Blessing insya Allah.

Eid is already here. You may have already bought that new carpet from Turkey and got rid of the one you purchased the year before and received your designer dresses, but I say it is never too late to start living in moderation. Just because you have been extravagant before does not mean you have failed forever. You can keep the carpet and the dresses as throwing them away will mean wasting money, and Allah does not like the wasteful way of life.

But from here on out, be mindful of what you are spending on. Do not put all your effort during Ramadhan to waste and start with Syawal to practise living life the way Allah Loves. Let’s celebrate it (Eid), not lavishly nor shall we be miserly but, in moderation!

Till next time insya Allah! May Allah Forgive our wrongs, keep the ummah in your prayers and Eid Mubarak to you! Kullu am wa antum bi khair! (May you be well throughout the year!)

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Nur Farizah Roslan
Farizah loves adventures, out of the ordinary days and long walks. She writes to express, but never to impress, at www.faridust.com.