Muslims around the world recently celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

It is a day of happiness and rejoicing, especially by those fortunate persons who have diligently observed the fasts and reaped the spiritual benefits.

It is a day where new clothes are worn, gifts are exchanged and delicious meals are shared with friends and relatives.

The main event of the day, however, is the religious service in the morning where one offers prayers and listens to the inspirational address of the Imam on relevant matters concerning the significance of the occasion.

The worldwide spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered a thought-provoking sermon from the Baitul Futuh mosque in London on the occasion of Eid.

The sermon was broadcast live on www.mta.tv enabling members of the community around the world to reap benefit from it.

His Holiness explained at length that while Eid is a day of celebration and gathering of friends and family, it is first and foremost a day of reflection on one’s spiritual condition and the spiritual benefits one has derived from Ramadan.

His Holiness enjoined Muslims to reflect on the two main aspects of the obligations of a Muslim: fulfilling one’s duty towards God Almighty and discharging one’s obligations towards the creatures of God Almighty, especially his fellow human beings.

His Holiness explained that one’s love and worship of God Almighty should be selfless and unconditional and should not simply be for the sake of achieving material rewards and comforts.

His Holiness further explained that fulfilling one’s duty towards fellow human beings is as essential as fulfilling one’s obligations towards God Almighty.

He admonished those who spend their time engaged in worship and religious works while at the same time usurping the rights of others.

He emphasised that fervent worship of God Almighty is not beneficial if one is unjust and unkind in one’s treatment of his fellow human beings.

His Holiness elaborated on the need for one to try one’s utmost to benefit others without expecting any reward in return and to be persistent in one’s kindness even when this is met with harsh treatment from the other side. The true emphasis of Eid al-Fitr, thus, is not the fun and rejoicing.

On Eid al-Fitr, one should reflect on one’s spiritual condition and gauge to what extent one is fulfilling one’s obligations towards God Almighty and his creatures.

One should resolve not to lose what one has gained during Ramadan and press forward to even higher spiritual development through righteous conduct, prayers and seeking the grace of God. This is the spirit of Eid Al-Fitr.