The Completion

There was something different in the air. There was a buzz.

I looked at the crowd. The place thronged with people, and still they kept coming in. Tonight, I thought, we would break the occupancy limit for sure!

The leaders of the crowd were there. Was it my imagination or was their clothes freshly ironed, cleaned for a special occasion? Did the tunic look new? The turbans looked freshly unwrapped.

There was a smile amongst them, a lot of back slapping and a jovial mood. Yet, I knew, soon, these men would be crying.

It began, as it has always did, for the last 26 nights, with The Opening.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful.
All Praises to Allah, Lord of the Universe.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Sovereign of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Guide us to the true path;
The path of those on whom You have bestowed your favor, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who go astray.

It would end, like it had ended for every year for 1400 years. If the Opening was about God, the Closing was about Mankind.

Say, I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of mankind.
The King of Mankind.
The Judge of Mankind
From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper)
(The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind
Among Jinns and among Men.

It ended a journey for the last month, all over the world, and signalled a new beginning.

This is the Book which contains no doubt; it means guidance for those who do their duty.

Let us hope we all have been able to do our duties in this last month. Tomorrow, a new day dawns.

Too all my readers, a very happy Eid Mubarak.