Today many of us are or will be surrounded by loved ones in sha Allah, enjoying delicious food and treats. As we celebrate and enjoy God’s countless favors upon 1us, let us also remember the following…
1. Remember to make du'a for those who are no longer with us and have transitioned to their Lord.
2. Remember to make du'a for those who are ill and fighting serious illness or injury; those whose seats will be empty this year because they are lying in hospital beds instead.
3. Remember to make du'a for those who are separated from their loved ones due to work, school, immigration issues, or other reasons and who are alone or isolated.
4. Remember to make du'a for those who are estranged from their family members due to personal or legal issues, but miss them nonetheless and wish they could be with them.
5. Remember to make du'a for those who have converted to the religion and have either been disowned or ostracized by their fa1mily and thus are alone today.
6. Remember to make du'a for those who are fighting serious health issues and have strict dietary restrictions and cannot enjoy the delicious food that others around them will be eating.
7. Remember to make du'a for those who have had a deep personal loss or tragedy around this time and have a difficult time enjoying the holiday but still put on a brave face for the sake of everyone else around them.
8. Remember to make du'a for those who are having serious marital problems and possibly on the brink of divorce but have to set everything aside for the sake of their families.
9. Remember to make du'a for the orphaned children who have no family of their own to be with today.
10. Remember to make du'a for the elderly who are in nursing homes and whose family have forgotten them.
Being grateful to God isn’t just about recognizing the blessings He’s bestowed upon you and giving Him thanks. That should be standard practice regardless of how much you have or don’t have. He is deserving of all praise, all of the time!
Being truly thankful is also about paying it forward by beseeching Him on behalf of others who are also in need. This begins with making du'a but it also includes giving generously to those in need.
May God make us sincere in our gratitude so that it moves beyond the lips, settles in the heart, and extends with the hand. Amin.
Hosai Mojaddidi
islamic-art-and-quotes