About depression and sadness...

Widespread disease of our times: Depression. Somehow all of us felt already sadness in his life: by loosing a beloved person, or, people with a heart full of empathy, even when they see other people in grief or sorrow... Losts and changes are part of life, feeling sadness about them is natural. and has nothing to do with depression in psychological sense.
While sadness is the result of trauma (the lost of someone for example, or in case of a disappointment), patients who are suffering from depression often feel a deep sadness without knowing the trigger of it. Sadness or grief is something which fades, as time heals all wounds. Depression is often enduring through years, cyclic returning, or, in case of manic depression, alternate between a "high" phase and the "deep" phase, whereby maxing out both extremes.
From islamic point of view there is no real difference between sadness, grief and depression. Regardless which hardship are we facing: islam teaches us to seek refuge in Allah:

121. Allahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika minal-hammi walhazani, wal'ajzi walkasali, walbukhli waljubni, wa dhala'id dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal.

Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and from laziness, from miserliness and from cowardice, from being overcome by debt and overpowered by men (i.e. others).

Reference: Al-Bukhari 7/158. See also Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/173
But is there any special du'a we can recite in case of sadness or when our soul is overwhelmed from grief and sorrow?
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ood, that the Messenger of Allah [SAWS] said: There is no person who suffers any anxiety or grief, and he/she says:

Allahumma innee ‘abduka,
ibnu ‘abdika, ibnu amatika
Naasiyatee biyadika,
Maadhin fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadhaa’uka
As alooka bikulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka
aw anzaltahu fee kitabika, aw ‘allamtahu ‘ahdan min khalqika
Awista tharta bihi fee ‘ilmil-ghaibi ‘indaka
An tajalal Qurana rab’eea qalbee, wa noora sadree
Wa jalaa’a huznee, wa zhahaaba hammee
 except that Allah will take away his anxiety and grief, and replace his sorrow with joy. The companions asked: Ya Rasool Allah! Does it befit for us that we learn these words (i.e. this dua)?He replied: Absolutely. Whoever hears of it should learn it.

[Musnad Imam Ahmad]



The Prophet [SAWS] told us that if we find ourselves in a state of sorrow, anxiety, depression or sadness, we should make the afore-mentioned dua. The dua begins with glorifying and praising Allah, then we are instructed to make tawassul (seek a means to get closer) to Allah by asking through all of Allah’s perfect and majestic names…but what is the request after such prolonged praise?

“Make the Quran the life of my heart and the light of chest!”

It’s as if Rasool Allah [SAWS] is saying that if you’re depressed/sad/anxious/sorrowful, then the way to relieve this is to make your life revolve around the Quran! Because once you read the Quran, you will find:

peace and tranquility of the heart [13:28]
physical and spiritual healing (shifaa), and mercy [17:82]
guidance on how to live life, and good news [2:97]

How is it possible for someone who is attached to the Quran to ever be depressed? The heart of the true believer has such a deep trust in Allah, that instinctive understands: whatever hardship he is going through: Allah will reward him for his sabr, and even if facing great losts, he will say "Al hamdoulillah", than whatever comes from Allah, is best for us.... 

Grieve not, for Allah is with us. [Qur'an 9: 40]

And they say: Praise be to Allah Who hath put grief
away from us. Indeed our Lord is Forgiving, Bountiful. [Qur'an 35: 34]

AL HAMDOULILLAH

Live Chanel of Hajj 2011

For all those muslims who couldn't afford it this year to visit Mekkah at the time of Hajj.... please enjoy this link... live broadcast from KSA: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6mDdfFnna0&feature=colike

Animals in Quoran and Hadeeth Vol. 1.

Did you know that over 200 verses of the Quoran are dealing with animals? 6 sourahs of the Holy Quoran are even named after animals. Namely:

• Al-baqarah (The Cow)
• Al-Anaam (The Cattle)
• Al-Nahl (The Bee)
• Al-Naml (The Ant)
• Al-Ankaboot (The spider)
• Al-Feel (The elephant)

The Quoran and many Hadeeths are encouraging us muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. More than this: many hadeeths stating how our Prophet (saw) used to treat animals with kindness and mercy. Some of the most common hadeeths regarding animals: 

Narated By Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." – [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #41]

Narated By Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did." So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being)." – [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #38] & [Muslim Book 26, Chapter 39, # 5577]

‎"The Prophet told his companions of a woman who would be sent to Hell for having locked up a cat; not feeding it, nor even releasing it so that it could feed herself." - Bukhari

Islam teaches us to be kind, respectful to animals. The Prophet was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by God. He replied: "Yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive." - Bukhari 

Many hadiths clearly suggests that being brutal towards animals is a grave sin and Allah(swt) will punish him who treats the animals without kindness. It is obligatory for the owner of the animal to feed it. Just two examples of it:

Narated By Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal (i e., cut its limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive). – [Bukhari Vol. 7, Book 67, #424]

Narated By Hisham bin Zaid: Anas and I went to Al-Hakam bin Aiyub. Anas saw some boys shooting at a tied hen. Anas said, "The Prophet has forbidden the shooting of tied or confined animals." – [Bukhari Vol. 7, Book 67, #421; #422]

 

Many rights have been given to animals and Muslims are required to obey these guidelines for transgression would make them sinful. While oppressing humans is wrong, Islam also teaches that oppression towards animals is wrong.

Islam gave animals rights at a time when animal rights were not recognized. Today the world is bringing awareness towards the rights of animals whereas Islam gave them their rights more than 1400 years ago. The most famous story about being kind to animals is seen when a cat came and slept on the robe of Prophet Muhammad(saw) while he was reading the Quran to the listeners. When it was time for the Prophet(saw) to get up, instead of disturbing the cat, he cut that piece of the robe and stood up. Today who would cut of a piece of their cloth so that the cat’s sleep would be undisturbed?

Proud to be muslim????

Favorite facebook sentence of many muslims online: I'm a muslim AND I'M PROUD. This is a sentence which usually drive me nuts.... I'm proud..... Usually coming from convert muslims, and from not native arab muslims, not knowing how wrong this sentence is. PROUD.... The reasons why this sentence is completly out of place are several. A) How could i be proud for something which is not my merit? It's rather a beautiful gift from Allah for which we should praise him and being thankful for it... We should rather say: im thankful to being a muslim. Our hearts should be filled with humbleness for this great gift, that Allah guided us... The right sentence would be: al hamdoulillah, i'm muslim.... but i hardly hear it nowadays from brothers and sisters.... this I'M PROUD took its place.... B) The second reason why i dislike this statement is: PRIDE as such is described in many quoranic verses and hadeeths as a disease of the heart, as something, which will prevent many muslims from entering the paradise. PRIDE is a sign of arrogance, and as such deletes all traces of goodness and piety. Allah has said in the Holy Quoran: 

“I shall turn away from My revelations those who show pride in the world wrongfully.” (7.146)

Allah has said in another place in the Quran:

“And in this way Allah does put a seal on every arrogant disdainful heart.” (40.35)

2.  The wrath and punishment of Allah fall on the jealous person. Allah has said:

“Certainly He does not love the proud ones.” (16:23) 

...Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful; Those who are miserly and enjoin miserliness on other men and hide what Allâh has bestowed upon them of His Bounties.... Qur'an 4:36-37

 It is narrated that Hazrat Moosa asked exalted Allah: “Oh my Lord! Who is the most deserving of your wrath and displeasure?” Allah Ta’aala told him:
“ It is he whose heart is filled with pride and his tongue is filthy (i.e. Abusive), his eyes are devoid of shame, his hands are miserly and he is of bad conduct and character.

Also our beloved Prophet (saw) warned from the consequences of pride, as to find in several hadeeths. The most commonly known is this one: 

In a Hadith of the Holy Prophet it is narrated that,

“Whosoever has in his heart, even a atom of pride he will not enter paradise.” (in other narrations discribed as: "weight of a mustard seed of pride" instead of atom of pride)

In observing the above Hadith, it is of utmost importance that we get rid of this spiritual malady, if we hold any illusion or hope of entering paradise. 

Pride as a sin is incorrectly considered to be insignificant and minute in comparison to other major sins, by a vast majority of the people. It may be that compared to the major sins like murder and associating partner with Allah, it is slightly inferior. But that is only because of the magnitude of those particular sins that pride is considered a lesser sin. 

The proud renders himself liable to Hell in the Hereafter. It occurs in a Hadith Qudsi:

“Pride is My cloak and grandeur is my trousers. If anyone disputes with Me in any one of these (two) I shall admit him into the Hell-fire.”

In the other words, pride and grandeur are two exclusive attributes of Allah, which none is allowed to apply and ascribe towards himself.

It is imperative to refrain from such a dangerous calamity which leads to loss of knowledge of Allah, inability to understand the commands of Allah, His displeasure, disgrace in this world and the Hereafter and painful torment therein. No wise person can be neglectful in the matter of such a harmful and destructive calamity.

 We should, therefore, try to save ourselves from this and seek refuge from Allah. 

Hadith - al-Bukhari 9.541, Narrated  Abu Huraira, r.a.

The Prophet said, "Paradise and Hell (Fire) quarrelled in the presence of their Lord. Paradise said, 'O Lord! What is wrong with me that only the poor and humble people enter me?' Hell (Fire) said, 'I have been favored with the arrogant people.' So Allah said to Paradise, 'You are My Mercy,' and said to Hell, 'You are My Punishment which I inflict upon whom I wish, and I shall fill both of you. (The Prophet added, "As for Paradise, (it will be filled with good people) because Allah does not wrong any of His created things, and He creates for Hell (Fire) whomever He will, and they will be thrown into it, and it will say thrice, 'Is there any more,' till Allah (will put) His Foot over it and it will become full and its sides will come close to each other and it will say, 'Qat! Qat! Qat! (Enough! Enough! Enough!)."

In some cases when i was discussing this issue with convert sisters from UK and USA, they usually defend this statement with: in this sense is pride is not equal with arrogance. But the hadeeth clearly states about pride and not using the word arrogance, and i still can't understand why not saying "al hamdoulillah"... as it is Allah's special gift, and only Allah alone decides whom he wants to guide on the right path... or as they are explaining their point of view: one shouldn't hide and feel ashamed for being a muslim. I agree we shouldn't. I also didn't say denie it to being a muslim. But rather say: al hamdoulillah i'm a muslim. Or, if you would want to make it understandable your statement for non-muslims, say: i'm thankfull for being a muslim, i'm confident to being a muslim, but i'm a muslim and PROUD????

C) the third reason why i completly dislike this sentence is: it is often used by brothers and sisters who are hardly acting as muslims should, brothers, who are shaving their beard off out of fear they wouldn't get an appropriate job, sisters, who are taking their hijab off for the same reason. Where is "their pride to being a muslim" than?

I think its much more appropriate to say: AL HAMDOULILLAH IM A MUSLIM, i obey Allah and his Messenger (saw), trying my best to fullfill my obligations as muslim, and im saying every morning after waking up a humble al hamdoulillah w shoukr that i got this great gift from Allah to being guided to the right path. 

And Allah knows best. 

Marginal notes to the 10th anniversary of 9/11....

Being a muslim in an islamophobe european country has automaticly the consequence to face hatred missconceptions about islam. After a while you are getting used to stereotypically stupid comments about ur hijab, black abayas, etc... you create ur own answers for those remarks, sometimes in a funny way, if they are asking you if you are sweating below the dark cloths: "nooo dear, absoluuuutly not.. you know this abayas are big enough to hide an AC below of them"... and sometimes just edifying when a christian woman is telling you your hijab would be a sign of how islam is oppressing women: oh so you are christian, aren't you? are you reading your own Bible sometimes? yes? great..... then read the part where it is written, that for christian women who are not covering their hair, they should shave their hair off.... or when they are telling you how disgusting hijab looks: oh so you think the virgin Mary was looking disgusting? Check the pictures of the holy family in your local church....... wasn't she covering herself? As i said this are situations you are getting used to it with time... What against will always glue on you as muslim, and you can never get used to it: YOU ARE GUILTY FOR 9/11...... simply because you are muslim, and islam is (according to them) the religion of terrorists... ( I'm ALWAYS called in a cabine for body check regardless where im flying to. I'm getting used to it: no bras with wire, no safety-pins for my hijab, no shoes with wire in the sole, no jewellery which could peep)
.. i could write here about conspiracy theories wether the 9/11 is an insider job, made by the U.S. goverment or by Israel (here about you can find different theories: for the U.S. goverment as culprit u can find many proofs, for Israel as involved "only" the fact that none of the jewish companies or offices were open on that day, and there are no jewish victims under the nearly 3000 victims of the twin towers).......... on the web there were many of this stories circulating just a few hours after the towers were collapsing....  I can't tell you which one of this theories is true, or ifff any of them is true.... Allah w 3alem. I could tell them about the disproportionately higher number of civil victims during the war in Afghanistan (which was supposed to be to seize the guilty ones for 9/11) or during the war in Iraq... or about the daily victims in Palestine.....  They would probably justify the death of 48,644 Afghan, 1,690,903 Iraqi people and 30000 pakistanis with the so called "islamic terrorism"..... 
And this is the point when i'm turning into edifying again... when they are talking about "islamic" terrorism. As terrorism would have any religion, nation or colour. Terrorism as such is missing any kind of believe or:  Islam is as closely related to terrorism as light is to darkness or life is to death or peace is to war. Already the word is contradicting in itself: “Islam” means submission in arabic, derived from the root word “salam”. From this root word, you can also derive the words peace and safety. The meaning of the word "islam" is already contradicting the word terrorism, (common definitions of terrorism refer to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians)). More than this: the holy Quoran and many hadeeths refer about peace for the mankind. Still: suicide bombing and terrorism are in the mind of the average western citizen unavoidable related to our religion. Specially islamophobe politicians love to cherry picking quotes from the Quoran which are - according to them - a proof for the glorification of violence in islam. Without ever trying to understand the coherences behind the ayah's, or without ever knowing the truth about islam.
First of all: the missconception about suicide-bombing. Suicide is clearly defined in the Quoran and the Hadeeth as haram, a sin which wont be forgiven:
Quranic Verse 1: "Don't kill yourself. No doubt Allah (swt) is merciful and anyone who does so, will be pushed in fire. And it is easy for Allah (swt)." (Nisa: 5:29, 5:30)
Quranic Verse 2 "Don't' kill yourself with your own hands" (Baqra 2:195)
Hadith No.1: "Whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, he will be tortured in hell with the same weapon". (Bukhari)
Hadith No.2: "Whoever strangles himself with a rope, he will keep on strangling himself until being burnt in hell. And he who killed himself with a spear, he will keep on being killed by spear until he is sent to hell." (Bukhari)
Hadith No.3: "Whoever kills himself with a weapon made of iron, he will keep on hurting himself in hell with the same weapon in hell. And whoever kills himself with poison, he will keep on eating poison in hell. And whoever commits suicide by falling from mountain, he will keep on falling in the fire of hell forever over and over again." (Muslim)
Fatwa in Durre Mukhtar: "Although one who commits suicide, will burn in hell forever, but the deceased was a Muslim before doing this act and he will be buried as per normal Muslim traditions. Such a person will be given Ghusl, Janaaza Salaat and burial in a Muslim cemetery as is the case with any other sinful Muslim. "
Secondly: injuring or killing innocent ppl, also children, deliberately:
"Those who make mischief in the earth, theirs is the curse." Surah ar-R'ad 25.
Saheeh Bukhari:
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 257.
Narrated By 'Abdullah : During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah's Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
Narrated By Ibn 'Umar : During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Saheeh Muslim
Book 019, Hadith Number 4319.
Chapter : Prohibition of killing women and children in war.
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). He disapproved of the killing of women and children.
Book 019, Hadith Number 4320.
Chapter : Prohibition of killing women and children in war.
It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children.
Sunan Abu Dawood
Book 008, Hadith Number 2663.
Chapter : Not known.
Narated By Rabah ibn Rabi' : When we were with the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) on an expedition, he saw some people collected together over something and sent a man and said: See, what are these people collected around? He then came and said: They are round a woman who has been killed. He said: This is not one with whom fighting should have taken place. Khalid ibn al-Walid was in charge of the van; so he sent a man and said: Tell Khalid not to kill a woman or a hired servant.
And this is my favorite hadeeth about this topic ever:
Book 021, Hadith Number 010.
Section : Prohibition against Killing Women and Children in Military Expeditions.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was sending armies to ash-Sham. He went for a walk with Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan who was the commander of one of the battalions. It is claimed that Yazid said to Abu Bakr, "Will you ride or shall I get down?" Abu Bakrsaid, "I will not ride and you will not get down. I intend these steps of mine to be in the way of Allah."
Then Abu Bakr advised Yazid, "You will find a people who claim to have totally given themselves to Allah. Leave them to what they claim to have given themselves. You will find a people who have shaved the middle of their heads, strike what they have shaved with the sword.
"I advise you ten things| Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly."

The targets of suicide bombings are rarely military bases, 70% of the victims are civilians. If you know any quoranic verses or hadeeth which would justify this, show me..... I didn't come across any one till now. The few lines which are stating about "jihad" are mainly about spreading the message of islam (dawa') and about self-defense, which is seen in any society as basic human right. The fact that islam is giving you the right to defend yourself, your deen, your family, other muslims, and basicly ANY human being is nothing what would justify the killing of innocent people. I could tell them about verses in the Bible which are permitting the killing of women and children in the situation of war. I could tell them about the women and children who got raped and killed in Iraq.  But i prefer to tell them what islam prohibited: the killing of innocent people, the killing of women and children, the killing of those who are not fighting you or your deen. 

Our religion commands mercy and peace. Many quoranic verses and hadeeths are stressing this out. Terror, on the other hand is the opposit of religion: it is mercyless and cruel. This being the case, the origin of a terrorist act should be sought in disbelief rather than in religion. And what is more closed to disbelief as the definition of a secularistic state????
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors.  (The Noble Quran, 2:190)"
And Allah knows best.
Allah yerhamon: all the 2,976 victims of 9/11. And all those 48,644 Afghan, 1,690,903 Iraqi people and 30000 pakistanis. That paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit. May Allah ease the pain of the families and friends of the victims and may Allah put mercy and repentance in the heart of the culprits. Ameen.

The muslim victims of 9/11....

 Thousands of innocent lives were lost on September 11, 2001. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones, and our most severe condemnation is aimed at the terrorists and their reprehensible actions. Attacks against civilians are condemned in Islam in no uncertain terms, and the majority of Muslims are peace-loving people who denounce such evil.

Indeed, among the many victims of 9/11 were several dozen innocent Muslims, ranging in age from their late 60s to a couple’s unborn child. Six of these victims were Muslim women, including one who was 7 months pregnant. Many were stockbrokers or restaurant workers, earning a living to care for their families. There were converts and immigrants, hailing from over a dozen different countries and the U.S. There were heroes: a NYPD cadet and a Marriott hotel worker, who sacrificed their lives attempting to rescue others. The Muslim victims were parents to over 30 children, who were left orphaned without one or both of their parents.

In some cases, family members faced interrogations based on initial suspicions that their Muslim relatives were not victims, but were actually terrorists involved in the hijackings. For example, the mother and other family members of American Airlines flight #11 passenger, Rahma Salie, were barred from traveling to her memorial service. Her mother, Haleema, said, "I would like everyone to know that she was a Muslim, she is a Muslim and we are victims too, of this tragic incident." 

The List of the Muslim Victims of 9/11 as published on islam.about.com:

• Shabbir Ahmed - 47 years old - Windows on the World Restaurant
• Tariq Amanullah - 40 years old - Fiduciary Trust Co.
• Michael Baksh - 36 years old - Marsh & McLennan
• Touri Hamzavi Bolourchi - 69 years old - retired nurse on United #175
• Abul K. Chowdhury - 30 years old - Cantor Fitzgerald
• Mohammad Salahuddin Chowdhury - 38 years old - Windows on the World
• Jemal Legesse De Santis - 28 years old - World Trade Center
• Simon Suleman Ali Kassamali Dhanani - 63 years old - Aon Corp.
• Syed Abdul Fatha - 54 years old - Pitney Bowes
• Mon Gjonbalaj - 65 years old - Janitor, World Trade Center
• Nezam A. Hafiz - 32 years old - Marsh & McLennan
• Mohammed Salman Hamdani - 23 years old - NYPD Cadet
• Zuhtu Ibis - 25 years old - Cantor Fitzgerald
• Muhammadou Jawara - 30 years old - MAS Security
• Sarah Khan - 32 years old - Forte Food Service
• Taimour Firaz Khan - 29 years old - Carr Futures
• Abdoulaye Kone - 37 years old - Windows on the World
• Abdu Ali Malahi - 37 years old - WTC Marriott
• Nurul Hoque Miah - 35 years old - Marsh & McLennan
• Boyie Mohammed - 50 years old - Carr Futures
• Ehtesham U. Raja - 28 years old - TCG Software
• Ameenia Rasool - 33 years old - Marsh & McLennan
• Mohammad Ali Sadeque - 62 years old - newspaper vendor at WTC, reported missing
• Rahma Salie & child - 28 years old (7 months pregnant) - American #11
• Khalid M. Shahid - 25 years old - Cantor Fitzgerald
• Mohammed Shajahan - 41 years old - Marsh & McLennan
• Nasima Hameed Simjee - 38 years old - Fiduciary Trust Co.
• Michael Theodoridis - 32 years old - American #11
• Abdoul Karim Traore - 41 years old - Windows on the World
• Karamo Trerra - 40 years old - ASAP NetSource
• Shakila Yasmin - 26 years old - Marsh & McLennan 

R.I.P. the 2,976 American people that lost their lives on 9/11 and R.I.P. the 48,644 Afghan, 1,690,903 Iraqi people and 30000 pakistanis. That paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit.

 Inna li lahi wa inna li layhi raja’un. From God we come, and to Him is our return.

Gifts on eid: sunnah or bida'h?

As the end of the holy month ramadan coming closer, in many countries, muslims started already with their "eid-shopping"... While in some families it is a custom to gift sweets, new shoes and cloths for the children only, some other families are basicly exchanging gifts on end of ramadan. Due to its actuality, the question came up on many islamic forums: is it sunnah, or is it bida'h to exchange gifts on the occassion of eid? Are we immitating the kuffar if we are doing so? I was searching for some evidence regarding eid-gifts, and this is what i found: According to shaikh Muhammad al-Jibali. 
The Sunnah does not support gift exchange for the occasion of Eid. The only exception is sadaqatul-fitr given to the poor on Eidul-Fitr, and part of the sacrifice given away on Eidul-Adha.

However, if the gift exchange results in a definite maslahah (benefit) for Muslims that cannot be attained otherwise - such as to bring feelings of pleasure and dignity to the Muslim children on these days, or to make da`wah to the non-Muslims or the weak-hearted Muslims, then it may be done. Still, this should not be made a regular practice consistently associated with the Eid. And Allah knows best.


BUT, and this is something else as "gift" in western sense, if it comes to paying zakaat or sadaqatul-fitr, or basicly any kind of charity, it is always better to give it to family-members in need as to others, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Charity given to a poor person is charity, and charity given to a relative is two things: charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2582; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.  In this sense, if you feel that a family member of yours is in need of new clothing for example, a sister or an aunty or your mother, its better to spend the sadaqatul-fitr on a new abaya for them, as on anything else. But in that case it is important to define it as charity instead of giving it as gift. 


We can't say giving a gift would be immitating the kuffar, for two reasons: gifting is sunnah (just that it is not bound on occassion), and also, coz for example the habit of gifting on christmas day is not their religious custom, rather a custom which had its origin in different cultures.
Gift giving was common in the roman celebration of Saturnalia, for example  an ancient festival which took place in late December and may have influenced Christmas customs. Christmas gift giving was even banned by the catholic church in the Middle Ages due to its suspected pagan origins. So far we can't bound the custom of giving gift on any religious practice of the kuffar, its rather an act of kindness. 
There are many hadiths which states that our Prophet used to accept and give gifts. Here a few of this hadiths: 


Narrated Abu Huraira (RadhiAllahu 'anhu):

Whenever a meal was brought to Allah's Apostle (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam), he would ask whether it was a gift or Sadaqa (something given in charity). If he was told that it was Sadaqa, he would tell his companions to eat it, but if it was a gift, he would hurry to share it with them.

[Sahih Bukhari - Book 47, Hadith 750] 

Hadith no: 767
Narrated / Authority Of: Azra bin Thabit Al-Ansari
When I went to Thumama bin Abdullah, he gave me some perfume and said that Anas would not reject the gifts of perfume. Anas said: The Prophet (SAW) used not to reject the gifts of perfume.

Hadith no: 769
Narrated / Authority Of: Aisha
Allah's Messenger used to accept gifts and used to give something in return.

Hadith no: 773
Narrated / Authority Of: Ibn Abbas
The Prophet (SAW) said, "One who takes back his gift (which he has already given) is like a dog that swallows its vomit."

Hadith no: 779
Narrated / Authority Of: Aisha
I said, "O Allah's Apostle (SAW)! I have two neighbours; which of them should I give a gift to?" The Prophet (SAW) said, "(Give) to the one whose door is nearer to you."

And there are many many more regarding gifting, which states, that giving gifts was a great practice from our Prophet and the sahabas, as an act of kindness. But none of the hadeeths i found bound those gifts on any special occassion.

Farther i didnt find any fatwa, hadeeth or verse from the Quoran which would indicate that our Prophet used to make special gifts for his family members on this special day. But i found many hadeeths describing the sunnah practice of the eidul fitr. InshaAllah i will share them with you before end of ramadan, so that we all can enjoy its benefits together.