Points to Ponder — Page 28
— 28 Eid God Almighty has ordered us to eat and drink on the day of Eid, and the Holy Prophet has said that the one who fasts on the day of the Eid is Satan. The reason for this is that Eid is the day on which God, the High, says to His servant, “Eat and drink for me today. ” Therefore, whether you eat a morsel or you take a sip of water, the true eating and drinking is that which is done under the direction of the Lord. Therefore, eating today is faith. How beautiful is this faith that according to it, apparent enjoyments become worship. It seems that a prophet among the Hindus may have said something similar to it which was misunderstood and resulted in producing the Pānda s 1. Islam explains everything in detail, but the older religions only had clues to follow. To feed a Brahman is considered a source of blessing among the Hindus. During the days of Shar ā dh 2 , affluent Hindus feed the Pānda s well. Then they assign an award for them for eating more. Initially, they give a rupee for every laddu one eats. Later, they start giving two or three 1 Pānda: A Hindu priest. 2 Sharādh : Festival. Food given to their priests by Hindus for the dead.