BaKhabar, September 2010, Page-6

better light a candle than curse the darkness

BaKhabar, Vol 3, Issue 9, September 2010

The Significance of Eid al-Fitr

Extracts from an EID AL-FITR Khutbah

Allaah has set out several rulings concerning Eid, including the following:
Almighty Allah Exhort us in the Holy Quran: "Complete the prescribed Period of fasting and Glorify Allah (With Takbeer). In that He has Guided you and perhaps you will be grateful" --- And: - “Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Cherisher of humankind, jinns and all that exist. Allah has no partner; this I am commanded and I am the first to bow to the Will of Allah” (Quran, 6:162-163).
The Prophet (PBUH) stated - THE ONE WHO FASTS (for the sake of Almighty Allah only) WILL EXPERIENCE TWO TYPES OF HAPPINESS:
(1):-WHEN HE BREAKS HIS FAST, HE IS HAPPY AND PLEASED THAT HE HAS FASTED. and
(2): HE WILL EXPERIENCE GREAT HAPPINESS AND JOY WHEN HE MEETS HIS LORD (On The Day of resurrection).
- Allahu Akbar! How deeply the Takbeer touches our souls as it rings out in our homes and our Masaajids! Allahu Akbar! How strong is the combined voice of the Ummah as we glorify Allah SWT together! Allahu Akbar! Through the Takbeer we realize our tremendous power as an Ummah.
Eid Prayer

The Day of Eid then is a Celebration of a remarkable achievement of the individual in the service of Almighty Allah, and a day of Thanksgiving where Muslims assemble in a brotherly and Joyful atmosphere to offer their gratitude to Allah for helping them fulfill their Spiritual Obligations.

Together we sacrificed our food; together we abstained from vain talk and useless acts. And, together we performed our Taraweeh and recited Qur'an. For a whole month we and our Muslim brothers and sisters in other parts of our town and, indeed the whole world have bowed together in complete obedience. We shared a common desire to gain Allah's satisfaction, we cherished a common goal, that is, to move nearer to Allah SWT. It is our 'Ibadah, our acts of goodness that have brought us together and it is in serving Allah with our lives and our possessions that we will, Insha-Allah, remain together.
Al-hamdulillah, on this joyous day Allah SWT keeps His Promise when he says in the Holy Qur'an: "So, verily, with every -- difficulty, there is relief: -- Verily, with every difficulty there is relief." (Q. XCIV : 5-6)
From this we must understand that after great sacrifice there is always joy --After Fasting and sacrificing in the days of Ramadan there is this joy at Iftar and the joy of Eid al fitr. Also after sacrificing our whole life In the Way of Allah - there will be great joy and happiness on the Day of Hisaab when meeting Almighty Allah.
On this day we reap the rewards of our efforts. With humility, we celebrate our achievements. This is a day on which we appreciate the changes we have undergone during the month of Ramadhan. Changes which have directed us towards Allah SWT. To now make a complete about-turn is to commit spiritual suicide and nullify every effort we have put into our fasting, our Dhikrullah and our actions for the sake of Allah. -today, make Du’aa in the few brief moments of privacy you may get, rededicate yourselves. Make your niyyah with all sincerity and truthfulness to continue with the acts of 'Ibadah which have brought you so much joy.
This is a day on which we rededicate ourselves to forge a more cohesive solidarity among the Ummah. And in these times, when political and interest groups are talking of alliances or of a constituent assembly, it is necessary that we, as Muslims, establish a basis for co-operation among ourselves so that we can make a positive contribution and give a united response to national questions. We can no longer afford to be divided. Divided we, and all that we stand for, will be destroyed and our children will grow up with the shame of an impotent Ummah.
Eid Embrace-the sign of Unity

The Day of Eid is also a day of Forgiveness: When we assemble for the Eid Salah we all wholehearted Pray to Almighty Allah for Forgiveness and strength of Faith, and almighty Allah has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His Mercy and Forgiveness. "You will not be forgiven unless you forgive". The virtue of forgiveness will be Mercifully exercised by Allah and Widely exchanged between Muslims - and that marks a true Day of Forgiveness.

The day of Eid is also a day of Unity. This Day is Marked by Generosity, Kindness, Compassion and joyous brotherhood - a Muslim is never confused about the Unity of the Ummah. But this unity must not only be demonstrated during Eid and Hajj. This Unity must be demonstrated under all conditions, in prosperity or adversity. We are not only Brothers during Celebrations We are also Brothers during Hardship and Suffering. Let us swallow our personal pride and renew a badly battered friendships and relationships. Let us accept the differences among us, the variety of interpretations of religious issues as a sign of the wealth of ideas of a vibrant Ummah. Let those of us who are leaders remember that Allah Alone knows His Deen. Our understanding as Scholars is not absolute, cannot be final ... Allahu 'alam. Do not let our loyalty to personalities blur our vision or prevent us from listening to the insights of other members of the Ummah. Let us heed the call of our Nabi Muhammad SAWS: "Do not hate one another, and do not be jealous of one another and do not boycott one another, and be servants of Allah as brothers (and sisters)."
The Day of Eid is also a Day of Remembrance. Even in their most joyful times Muslims Remember Almighty Allah. With the Eid Salaah, we demonstrate our remembrance of His favours by glorifying Him with Takbeer.
This is a day on which we recall our family and friends who are no longer with us.- Perhaps it is your mother or your father whom you loved dearly, a brother or a sister or even a little child who had given you so much joy and pleasure and whom Allah had called away. Last year or just a few days ago you may have laughed together or shared a meal. Today they are no more. We can remember them by visiting the MAQBARAH and saying a prayer in their memory.
Mehdi ke rang

We commemorate this day by sparing a thought for, and visiting the sick the orphans and the widows, our less fortunate brothers and sisters in hospitals, institutions for the disabled and homes for the aged. Let us not forget those who are languishing in the prisons - for fighting in the cause of justice. On this day, they too, yearn for the warmth and comfort of a home and to share the joys with their mothers or their children.

We should commemorate this day by spending time with our parents. Help them to forget the agony and loneliness of old-age or the pains of physical weakness. Remember that that same mother who is now so bent and wrinkled, who can now hardly speak, was once young and would have cut off her arms for you. What are you prepared to do for her? "Heaven lies at the feet of mothers!"
We, as parents commemorate this day, by creating opportunities for our children to enjoy themselves. Children are not only part of our little families, but an important part of our Muslim community. You are part of us, and all of us feel proud of your efforts during the past month. You fasted, went to school and still found the time and the energy to come to the Masajids with your fathers for Taraweeh. You have learnt values no school book can teach you.
We MUST Also Remember that we are celebrating the Completion of a Training Program, which MUST be implemented during the other Eleven Months. (Like a soldier having completed His training now ready to go into Combat.)
I Pray Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful: O, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Allah, we turn to You in prayer, to express our thanks on this blessed day of 'Eidul-Fitr, that You have bestowed on us the blessings of this Great Day.

Participate in a good cause; write to rahbar@rahbar.info

Email: bakhabar@biharanjuman.org 6