Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd

We have entered Shawwal, the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar. This is the day of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking, a relief from the rigors of abstention and denial willingly embraced the duration of Ramadan.

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd

But why, my brothers, why of all places have we chosen to honor this day in our praying here?

Allah says, in surat al-Hijr, “And the earth we have spread out like a carpet, set thereon mountains firm and immovable and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.”

And in al-Ankabut, the chapter we know as The Spider, “Say: travel through the earth and see how God did originate creation; so will God produce a later creation; for God has power over all things.”

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd

For all of this grandeur, for all of these miracles, God is greater.

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd

We come here as witnesses, stewards of his creation, in the recognition that God has only ever instructed man through His creation.

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd

We are here as his students.

We are here as his servants.

Eid Mubarak!