'EID-UL-FITR

Islam has only two festivals:

• 'Eid-ul-Fitr, and
• 'Eid-ul-Adha,

which are celebrated with the intention of manifesting one's joy after fulfilling one's duties; such as the act of fasting. They also show us that true happiness and joy are found only in fulfilling one's duties towards his creator who is Allah, to Him is all might and Majesty.

THE NIGHT OF 'EID

The night of 'Eid-ul-Fitr is called lailat-ul-Jaaizah, the night of Retribution. This is because in this night, Allah Ta'ala rewards his faithful. It is therefore essential for Muslims to give great importance to this night, by praying a lot. And not to sleep all night long as many do.

The Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The heart of the one who remains awake (in the Ibaadah) during the night of the two Eids (i.e. 'Eid-ul-Fitr and 'Eid-ul-Adha), will not die on the day when the hearts will be dead (i.e. the day of Qiyaamah)." (Tabrani)

The nights of the two 'Eids, that is, the nights preceding the days of 'Eid, are auspicious occasions that should be observed in worship and reverence.

So we should not let these nights pass without deriving benefits from them. We should derive maximum benefit from them according to our capabilities.

Istighfar, Tilaawat-ul-Quran, the Nafl Namaz (Salaat-ul-Tasbih‎‎, Salaat-ul-Taubah), Durud, Du'a should be offered during these holy nights.

Among the rewards is the one mentioned in the Hadith above:

The heart will not be struck with terror on the day of Qiyaamah when the upheavals will be so frightening that men will be in a kind of intoxication.

DESIRABLE ACTIONS ON THE DAY OF 'EID-UL-FITR

• Wake up early and perform the Fajr Namaz in congregation (this is however an obligation of every day).
• Bathe
• Dress in your best clothes
• Use Itr (non-alcoholic perfume) and apply surmah three times in each eye (the perfume of the woman must be odourless but can contain a colour whereas for the man it can have an odour but no colour).
• Eat an odd number of dates or something sweet
• Discharge the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr.
• Go to the 'Eid-gah or to the Mosque with wuzu (ablution) and on foot (if this is possible).
• Proceed while reciting in a low voice, the praises of Allah and to stop as soon as one reaches the place of Namaz
• Take one route when going and another when returning.
• Show one's joy and contentment (but not in such a way that one forgets one's duty towards one's Lord).

Our joy on this day of 'Eid should be due to having accomplished by the Grace of Allah, the great and important Ibaadah which is fasting (Roza).

May Allah accept our effort during this month of Ramadhan and guide us to celebrate 'Eid with reverence.

[English version of "Eid-oul-Fitr" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 7]