With the onset of the Eid and the return to school, it's a time of the year when families all over the Kingdom start to feel the pinch. New clothes for the Eid and new school-semester needs vie for the attention of the nation's wallets. “Celebrating the Eid with new clothes is one of Islam's rules as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked Muslims to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha,” said Sheikh Aasem Al-Hakim, the imam of Jafer Al-Tayyar Mosque. The imam said many families feel they cannot afford to dish-out on new clothes for Eid, given the current high prices. “Muslims can cope with the costs of both clothes for the Eid and school essentials, but it requires planning,” he said. “For example, one should not spend too much on one garment, which is a waste of money that Islam frowns upon.” Airs and graces The imam sees new rules penetrating society at the expense of Islamic precepts. “Many Saudis like to show off and give themselves airs by buying the latest fashions, all of which goes against Islamic teachings,” says Abdul Hakim Al-Mansour, a social studies researcher. According to him, there are several things one can do: “Prepare early. Save one or two thousand riyals every month and buy some trousers or a dress for one of the children,” Al-Mansour advises. Giving Eidiyah – a form of pocket money during the holiday – is part of the Muslim culture, but a small, less costly gift, may be given instead. “We should give Eidiyah to children to make them happy, but not all Saudi families can afford SR500,” said Al-Hakim. “I would recommend one small gift of SR50 as a reasonable compromise.” Don't die trying Al-Hakim stresses that peoplemust not go to extremes to try and comply. “Islam forbids giving Eidiyah when one has not got enough money to eat.” Some have managed to plan ahead. “My husband has bought me a lot of clothes over the last three months, and now he cannot afford any more, so I'll keep the clothes that friends and family haven't seen yet hidden in the cupboard for the Eid,” said Khawla Al-Aasi. Bader Al-Selami, who supports his three children on SR4000, cannot afford new clothes for Eid and also provide for all his children's school needs. “I can't afford to do both, so I will be giving priority to school essentials,” she said. __
