Eid ul-Fitr
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By Brother Kevin Philips
As the last few days of the blessed month of Ramadan come to pass, many Muslims direct their thoughts towards Eid ul-Fitr. Of course in the back of many minds is the delightful prospect of being able to tuck into your Subway sandwich (with extra olives).
However on a more serious note there are some things we must reflect on. We far too often take for granted, and at times show disregard of everything Allah (subhana wa ta ala) provides us with. Insh’Allah for a month we gave up food and drink during daylight, yet for many Muslims and non-Muslims alike this is not an option. The Sadaqat-ul-fitr is a simple yet effective way of remembering those less fortunate than ourselves.
After paying this charity, we are required to perform Eid prayers collectively. This salat is wajib on every Muslim male. The prayer is performed between the ishraq and zawal. No nafl prayers are to be performed before the Eid Salat.
There will be a khutbah after the salat (insh’Allah wherever you do it) which is sunnah. Listening to this khutbah is wajib upon Muslim males. That means leaving your iPods at home!
Eid ul-Fitr is one of the two festivals recognised by the Shari’ah. Although it is a time for modest celebration, we must remember to hold fast to all the good habits we acquired during the month of Ramadan (…umm!) and keeping away from those bad habits we gave up (…mmmm). Too often it is seen as a relief from the “burden” of fasting, and an opportunity to return back to worldly affairs. It is easy to get distracted, and Allah (subhana wa ta ala) tells us…
Rivalry for worldly gain distracts you, until you visit your graves. Indeed you shall know! Again, you shall certainly come to know. Indeed, were you to have certain knowledge … You shall certainly see the fire of Hell. Yes, you will it with your eyes. Then, on that day, you shall be questioned about your joys and comforts. – Surah At-Takathur (102)
Yet we find Allah (subhana wa ata ala) in his infinite mercy has given us the opportunity to multiply our deeds.
We find in sahih Muslim, book 6, hadith 2614:
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.
We see that fasting six days in the month of Shawaal carrys the reward of fasting the entire year. You may keep the fast from the second to the seventh day; however it can be started a few days later with the same reward insh’Allah.
Sometimes it is not easy to do the right thing, and sometimes it feels easy to do what is wrong, but nothing good comes without struggle. Soon Ramadan will be over and it will be Eid ul-Fitr. I pray we all take something good from this Ramadan, inspiring us towards piety and insh’Allah the Day of Judgement will be our day of Eid!
Ameen!
“And if My servants ask thee about Me – behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way.” - (2:186)
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