As Syawal emerges, dressed in mesmerising lights and joy,
it transforms into a connection,
igniting a heartfelt celebration,
Old stories comes to life like radiant bulbs in the night,
and with each smile, each joyous laugh,
stirring memories and awakening new ones.
Life seems to get busier and busier with so little time on our hands. As with technology, things should get easier and do things more efficiently. However it does not feel we have more time to spare. As hours turn into days and days into weeks and so forth, our engagement with those that we were once close, seems to drift apart and that we live in our own little bubble, minding our own business for a long stretch of time.
(Perhaps some music whilst reading would be nice: Here)
However, such is the ordain of life, there is always relief and breaks given. After much effort and breathless Ramadan, focusing on one owns lives from waking up early, going about our short day chores or worklife, returning to make the table edible and then rush for night prayers. And the cycle repeat on auto mode for most of the month. With hardship there is always relief.
Then comes Syawal, where the masses be it young or old, far or near, takes time to reconnect with family, relatives, and friend old and new. Including those loved ones that has gone ahead of us. A time of for both celebration and connection. This is the time of year, cars bustle and hustle on the road to meet up others to tie the bonds of kinship and friendship. It is during these moments that past misunderstandings are softened, silences are broken and a sense of bonding is rekindled.
The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.”
(Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 5986 and Muslim, 2557)
Syawal acts as reminder: while time and distance may separate us, the ties of kinship have the power to bring is back together – stronger, wiser and more connected that ever.
Here are some collections from my own reconnections. Keep the connection close. Ukhuwah Fillah.
Idris Mahzan
Post Syawal 2025
THE PONDERER 