Beyond Celebrations: Exploring the Deeper Lessons of the Week

Introduction

This week’s issue brings brief reflections on five occasions that fall between Wednesday 18 and Tuesday 24 March 2026. Each is rooted in history and culture, and each offers a timely lesson for mosque leaders and cultural centre managers about patience, humility, mercy and social responsibility.

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 29 Ramaḍān: The Battle of Hunayn (8 AH)

Shortly after the Conquest of Mecca, the Muslim community met an army at Hunayn. Despite large numbers, the Muslims were initially surprised and retreated before God restored calm and victory to the believers.

The episode warns against relying on size, reputation or momentum alone; true success in community or public life depends on humility, moral clarity and trust in Allah SWT.

Message for Today: Remember the lesson of the Battle of Hunayn: the final outcome of oppression is defeat and humiliation, even if at the beginning it appears to achieve temporary victories.

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 29 Ramaḍān: Birth of Jamāl ad-Dīn al-Ḥillī (Allāmah al-Ḥillī) (648 AH)

Al-Ḥasan ibn Yūsuf al-Ḥillī (commonly known as Allāmah al-Ḥillī) was a leading Shīʿī jurist and theologian whose works influenced Shiʿi law and scholastic theology. He is credited with many treatises that helped shape later Shīʿī scholarship. His life reminds Muslims of the central role of learned, ethical scholarship in preserving community identity and guiding conscience.

Message for Today: Support sound learning and critical scholarship in your institutions so faith remains thoughtful, compassionate and resilient.

1 Farvardīn: Nowruz (Persian New Year)

Nowruz is an ancient spring festival rooted in Iranian cultural and seasonal traditions; it marks the first day of the Iranian solar year (Farvardīn) and is celebrated by millions across Iran, Central Asia and diasporas worldwide. The date typically coincides with the March equinox.

Nowruz offers a cultural opportunity to promote renewal, neighbourliness and inter-communal hospitality; many Muslim communities have historically integrated local seasonal customs that do not contradict Islamic law. Islamically, celebrations that encourage family solidarity, charity and gratitude are compatible with the faith, provided core beliefs and obligations are preserved.

Message for Today: Use Nowruz as a moment for neighbourly outreach, family repair and practical acts of charity that reflect Islamic values.

1 Shawwāl: Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of Ramaḍān and the start of Shawwāl; it is celebrated with a special communal prayer, charitable giving (zakāt al-fiṭr) and family gatherings. The exact Gregorian date depends on local moon sighting.Islam teaches that the real value of Eid lies not only in celebration but in the acceptance of one’s worship and the continuation of obedience to God. Ali ibn Abi Talib beautifully explains this deeper meaning in a saying recorded in Nahj al-Balagha.

قالَ الامام عَلِىٍ عليه السلام: «فِی بَعْضِ الْأَعْيَادِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ عِیدٌ لِمَنْ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ صِيَامَهُ وَ شَكَرَ قِيَامَهُ وَ كُلُّ يَوْمٍ لَا يُعْصَى اللَّهُ فِیهِ فَهُوَ يَوْمُ عِیدٌ»

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: “For some people, Eid is only for the one whose fasting has been accepted by God and whose night prayers have been appreciated; and every day in which God is not disobeyed is a day of Eid.”

Message for Today: Let Eid remind us that the real celebration is a life of obedience to God — every day without sin can become a day of Eid.

21-27 March 2026: Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination

Marked by the United Nations, this week commemorates struggles against racial injustice and promotes equality, inclusion and human rights worldwide. The UN calendar highlights themes and events each year to deepen public awareness.

Racism and discrimination scar families, communities and institutions; Muslim leaders must speak clearly against racial injustice and cultivate practices of inclusion at mosques and cultural centres. Islam affirms the equal dignity of all human beings:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ.

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13).

Message for Today: Many of the world’s so-called developed countries have a dark record when it comes to racism. Islam, however, has been fighting against racism for more than fourteen centuries. We should take pride in our faith.