Cii Radio| Ayesha Ismail| 22 June 2017| 27 Ramadaan 1438
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad is reported to have said: “And then the night of Eidul fitr, the night that is called Laylatul Jaa’izah(night of prize giving), comes along. On the morning of Eid Allah sends down the Malaa’ikah(angels) to all the lands of the earth where they take their positions at access points of roads, calling out with a voice that is heard by all except man and jinn, “O Ummah of Muhammad(Salallaho alaihe wassallam), come forth from your houses towards a Lord that is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the major sins.”
When they proceed towards the places for their Eid salaah, Allah says to the Malaa’ikah: “What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered his services?” The Malaa’ikah reply’ “O Lord and Master, it is only right that he should receive his reward in full for his services.” Allah then says, “I call you to witness, O My Malaa’ikah, that for their having fasted during the month of Ramadhaan, and for their having stood in prayer by night, I have granted to them as reward My pleasure and have granted them forgiveness.
O My servants ask now of Me, for I swear by My honour and My greatness, that whatsoever you shall beg of me this day in this assembly of yours for the needs of the Hereafter, I shall grant you; and whatsoever you shall ask for worldly needs, I shall look at you favourably.
By My honour I swear, as long as you shall obey my commands, I shall cover your faults. By My honour and by My greatness do I swear that I shall never disgrace you among the evil-doing ones and disbelievers.
Depart now from here, you are forgiven. You have pleased Me, and I am pleased with you. The Malaa’ikah an seeing this great reward bestowed by Allah upon the Ummah of Muhammad (Salallaho alaihe wassallam) on the day of Eidul Fitr become greatly pleased and happy.” (Hadith-Targheeb)
EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal, at the completion of Ramadhaan. Shaw’waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The celebration of Eid ul-Fitr culminates a month of fasting wherein the faithful have spent their time praying and beseeching Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for forgiveness and mercy.
For many, the most glorious month of Ramadan was not just an abstention from food and drink. Rather, it was an exercise in patience and discipline. Eid-ul-Fitr is the celebration for those who fasted and obeyed Almighty Allah’s rules and teachings. It is for those who spent the most wonderful and month of caring and sharing, the month of patience and the month of constant Ibadah in complete devotion to Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala’meen.
Eid is a time when the entire Muslim community comes together to share in each other’s joys and blessings and also to lessen the burden of those who are suffering. We use this day and the following days to spread happiness and social harmony by visiting our friends and relatives and offering our Duahs to all those who have departed from the Doonya. Gifts are exchanged during Eid by young and old alike. We also visit the elderly and the sick.
Eid is a time where all kinds or festivities prevail. Many of us gormandize to make up for “lost food” during the month of Ramadan. We forget that there are many out there who have nothing to celebrate. There are those among our brothers and sisters for whom Eid day is just another ordinary day. There are those who open their cupboards on Eid day and find them bare. There are those in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless, deprived of company, they will have no one to offer solace or comfort.
Let us therefore see to it that our deprived brethren welcome the day of Eid-ul-Fitr with warmth and hope. This, after all, is a day of caring and sharing and bringing joy and happiness to those who are less fortunate. This is the essence and message of this most wonderful day of reward.
Ibadah(Worship) On The Night Of Eid
Our Beloved Rasulullah (Salallaho alaihe wassallam) said : “The person who stays awake on the nights preceding the two Eids occupying himself with ibâdah(worship), his heart will not die on the day when everyone’s heart will perish.” (His heart will not die during the time of evil and corruption). It could also mean that with the blowing of the trumpet his soul will not become unconscious. (Hadith –Ibn Majah)
Sunnah Acts on the Day of Eid
• Wake up early.
• Take a Ghusl (bath) before Eid Salaah
• Brush your teeth (use Miswaak)
• Dress up, putting on best clothes available.
• Use itr (perfume)
• Eat something sweet before proceeding to the Eid Musallah e.g. Dates etc.
• Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaatul-Eid
• Go to Eid Musallah (Eid Gah/prayer ground) early.
• Offer Salaah-al-Eid in congregation in an Eid Musallah except when weather is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
• Use different roads en route to the Eid Musallah and back home.
• Recite the following Takbir on the way to Eid Musallah :
Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ila-ha ill-lallah.Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest. And all praises are for Allah)
How should one Spend the Day Of Eid?
• Keep in mind the pleasure of Allah and uphold Shari’ah at ALL times.
• Adorn yourself and your family modestly in the best of garments (not necessarily new).
• Avoid over eating and other festivities that have no benefit.
• Visit the poor, needy, orphans, elderly and sick.
• Should Eid be made at “my mum or your mum or whoever/wherever?” This requires Mashurah (mutual consultation). Mashurah is a Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho alaihe wassallam).Try to compromise and accommodate each other.
• Maintain and strengthen family bonds- Rasulullah (Salallaho alaihe wassallam) is reported to have said, “Anyone who wishes to have his means of livelihood enlarged and a prolonged life, should treat his relatives with kindness.”(Hadith)
• Don’t forget the oppressed, poor and needy Muslims in all parts of the world in your du’as and charity.
• Be punctual with our acts of worship and on this joyous day.
Source – Jamiat|Darul Ihsaan
