The term "Eid" means happiness, and that is why there is no other occasion which can match the bonanza and excitement Eid-ul-Fitr has to offer. We may recall here the kind sentiment of our holy Prophet (peace be upon him) about celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. As the people of other communities, specially the people of Iran celebrated their New Year Day ("Nowraz") every year the holy Prophet (pbuh) was also not against harmless entertainment and mirth on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

But the pertinent question is while thinking of joyous atmosphere and harmless entertainment, while thinking of delicious dishes and new clothes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival do we ever think for a moment that there are needy, helpless and indigent persons in every locality who can hardly meet two square meals a day, and there are widows and elderly women who are putting in their back-breaking labour every day from morning till evening without enjoying any weekly holiday in order to keep their body and soul together? We don't. The wealthy traders and tycoons, the moneyed and well-to-do persons, the rich and the affluent hailing from the upper strata of the society certainly owe a duty to the poor and the indigent of the society who very often feel the sharp pinch of hunger.

According to a newspaper report we learn that a prospective buyer can think of buying a nice 3-piece Lehanga suit (Salwar, Kamiz and Dopatta) costing Tk. one lakh for his beloved daughter on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival, then he is certainly ready to spend at least a sum of Tk. 6/7 lakhs for his entire family (consisting of say, 5 members) in order to meet other expenses connected with celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr festivity. There are such numerous well-to-do and resourceful persons living in almost all the areas/localities of the country but they are quite oblivious of the needs of their poor and indigent neighbours they are unmindful of the dire needs of the helpless orphans, widows and elderly women who live in the same area.

In this context we may divert our attention to Ayat (Verse) 7 of Sura (Chapter) Maun (or the Neighbourly Needs) of the Quran. In this Ayat Lord Creator Allah has taken a serious view of certain classes of people who are unmindful of the needs of helpless poor and indigent persons including their needy neighbours. In this Ayat Almighty Allah declares: "Seest thou one who denies the judgement (to come)? Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness), and encourages not the feeding of indigent, so woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, those who (want but) to be seen (of men), but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs." So, the rich wealthy and resourceful people of the society should be cautious, careful and meticulous about spending money for the poor and indigent persons (including their neighbours) in view of the aforesaid very important Ayats of Sura Maun.

We may recall here what the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said about the needs of the neighbour. He has said, "He is not a true Muslim who takes his meal to his heart's fill keeping his neighbours unfed."

Medina Charter, we know, is the first written constitution of the world on the basis of which the first Islamic Republic was governed some 1400 years ago, and the holy Prophet (pbuh) had the unique honour and privilege to be at the helm of its affairs. It may be recalled here in this connection that a very important clause of this Charter, among others, was, "The weak will be protected." Needless to say that the indigent and poor people are helpless people of the society and they need protection. And the kind and considerate holy Prophet (pbuh) took positive action while adding an important clause like this in the said historic Medina Charter.

If a proud and audacious moneyed person, who is the owner of a huge bank balance, claims that he has earned his money by the "sweat of his brow" so he may or may not spend a portion of his money for the benefit of the poor and indigent persons, then he is sadly mistaken for in Ayat (Verse) 7 of Sura (Iron) of the Holy Quran Benign and Almighty Allah declares: "Beliene in Allah and His Messenger and spend of that whereof he has made you trustees, and such of you as believe and spend (aright) theirs will be a great record."

So, it transpires from the aforesaid Quranic Ayat that a moneyed man is not actually the owner of the huge amount of money he has earned, he is simply a trustee of the money. The poor and indigent have definitely a share in that. Let the moneyed and wealthy persons of the society, who think in terms of enjoying, gastronomical delights on the occasion the Eid-ul-Fitr, also think that there are people including their near and distant relatives who are languishing in distress for want of proper diet and medicine. Islam is a complete code of life. It guides a man from cradle to grave. Sharing of mirth and merry-making with the poor and the indigent will certainly give the well-to-do an additional pleasure and Almighty Allah will also be pleased.

Kazi Aulad Hossain is a retired govt. high official.