I really love the action idea of this post especially. I believe the last part of the sentence, Omar Suleiman is beautifully recognizing the Palestinian people and their severely difficult plight. He is reminding us not to forget. Because this is an issue we all need to continue to stand up for until the oppressors back down.

However, I think an additional take away from the activity idea in this post, is to remember that our celebration (Eid-ul-Adha) is about giving, and in reality that is truly what makes us happy; when we are there for each other and others are there for us. The activity reminds us to be giving instead of greedy. It reminds us that we should appreciate God for what He has given us, and simultaneously recognize that anything we have in this world is not truly ours, rather it is an amana (a trust) from Allah. It is all Allah’s money and we are simply travelers, trading it around.

So in that sense, would it not make sense for a servant to share Allah’s money with the rest of His creation? Especially when we were fortunate enough to be born in the place and state that we were born in?…While we could very well have been born as the poor orphan refugee who was separated from his mother at the border, or we could’ve been the young girl carrying 2 tons of water on her head in a valley because her village cannot afford to build running water systems.

Giving is a reminder that whatever we have, we did not obtain it simply by our own efforts. It is a combination of efforts but also Allah (swt)’s mercy and generosity that we arrive at where we are. Also, being able to humble yourself before The One Allah (swt) is so pleasing to Him, it makes Him happy to see an obedient servant, and in the end He ends up giving us more! So it is kind of a win-win situation if you think about it.

In fact, the very act of Prophet Ibrahim (as) thousands of years ago, was an act of service and sacrifice for his one and only Allah. He was willing to go as far as to give up his precious child for Allah because he recognized that even this child could not have been conceived or brought to life without the help of Allah (swt). He recognized how important, precious, and what a life line Allah swt was to his life, and he showed that in the most apparent way possible.

So in the same way, we want to teach our children to give, always give. Giving never decreases wealth. Live in this world as a traveler who knows that anything he/she has in this world will not go with him to the grave, except for the deeds he’s done, the hearts he has touched, and the sadaqal jariyah he/she has given.

I hope you find this to be both a beautiful reflection and a beautiful idea inshallah. Jazakallah to my brother and sister Omar Suleiman, and “@huumiiii” for sharing and allowing me to see this, alhamdulillah!