This year, I was really excited about Ramadhan. More excited than I’ve ever been. And as is expected, I was more sad about seeing Ramadhan end than I’ve ever been. It wasn’t a typical kind of sadness–but the kind of sadness that almost makes you NOT want to enjoy `Eid.

A dear friend made me realize something else and had me look at things in a different way. We have Ramadhan and look forward to the blessings during the month, and it leaves, we become sad. But then that’s what `Eid is for—to uplift those spirits again and to magnify the greatness of Allah.

But then `Eid comes and goes and we’re sad to see it go, but then that’s what Hajj is for. The preparation begins for the “journey of hearts.” Hajj ends, and we’re sad to see it go, but then that’s what `Eidul Adha is for.

Once again, we see `Eid come and go. For the next several months, we’ll encounter the blessings of different months and the acts of worship therein, at the same time preparing for the next Ramadhan–and may we live to see it.

And thus, Allah says, “Thus We have made you a Wasat (just) (and the best) nation…” We have periods of intense `Ibadah and reflection and then periods of joy and celebration. AlHamdulillah, Allah has taken such good care of us, and unfortunately we take it for granted. He is truly Ra’oof and Raheem with the Believers.