Malay Woman Sheds Light on Muslims’ Practice of Seeking Forgiveness During Hari Raya

Facebook user Rasimah Jar has explained Muslims’ cultural practice of seeking forgiveness for intentional or inadvertent wrongdoings during festive occasions like Hari Raya.

Acknowledging that the relevance of the practice is debated even within the Muslim community, Rasimah shared that she believes that this is a significant and logical practice in Muslim culture that helps cleanse one’s mind, body and soul.

She explained the rationale behind the practice on her social media page, saying “When we seek forgiveness, we learn to let go of our ego and realise that we are not above everyone else. When we forgive someone, we learn that we are not above God who is ever-willing to forgive no matter how big our sins may be.”

We republish Rasimah’s post in full below in case you aren’t able to read her Facebook post above:

This is one of the yearly Hari Raya practices from our culture that I truly believe in and treasure. Recently, there were many debates about its relevance and importance. Many who do not fully understand the rationale behind the action will simply brush it off as insignificant to the point of it being almost a ridiculous practice. I beg to differ in opinion.

While I agree that we have to apologise for our mistakes to the ones we hurt as soon as we have made them and not wait to do it during Hari Raya, we may not always be conscious or aware of our wrongdoings. Others may not be open enough to point out our mistakes/wrongdoings/transgressions/misdeeds and would rather keep the hurt to themselves.

So, as we celebrate the blessed day with a fresh outlook in life filled with positivity and hope after the cleansing of the mind, body and soul during Ramadhan, it is only logical and befitting to ask others for their forgiveness for any or our wrongdoings whether they were done intentionally or otherwise…consciously or unconsciously. The very reason why we always start the seeking of forgiveness dialogue with “Kalau (if) ada salah dan silap sengaja atau tidak (there is any wrongdoings done intentionally or otherwise), TERkasar bahasa dan perbuatan (unintentional misdeeds and harsh words), TERmakan dan TERminum (unintentional consumption of food/drinks without others’ permission)….”. When we seek forgiveness, we learn to let go of our ego and realise that we are not above everyone else. When we forgive someone, we learn that we are not above God who is ever-willing to forgive no matter how big our sins may be.

#tolongajaradatdanadabpadaanak2sekarang
#hapuskanlahsifatterlaluego
#bukankahislammengajarkitasupayabermaafmaafan
#bersihkanhati
#peringatanuntukdirijuga