Eid or Eid al-Fitr marks the start of Shawwal which is a month of celebration
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid or Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting that started on May 27 and will finish on Saturday June 24 (TODAY).
Eid kickstarts the month of Shawwal, which begins with a feast to end the period of fasting.
The celebration is a public holiday in Malaysia and many other Muslim countries, but is not one in the UK, despite a campaign for it to be recognised back in 2014.
This year, Eid starts on Sunday June 25, with the Shawwal month ending around a month later
During Eid, Muslims will often purchase new clothes for the occasion, and take part in festivals and celebrations.
Many will wake up early to pray at a mosque or outdoor prayer venue.
Gifts and cards are often exchanged among friends and family.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2017?
This year, Eid starts on Sunday June 25 and marks the start of a month of celebration.
The dates can be adjusted slightly nearer the time due to lunar sightings and changes each year.
This is because the Islamic calendar – known as the Umm al-Qura calendar – is based on the moon’s cycle, whereas the Gregorian one is determined by the sun.
As the two don’t align, the Islamic dates move back by 11 days each year.
It marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and many Muslims will feast to celebrate
Is there another Eid celebration in the calendar?
As well as Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha is expected to take place on September 1 this year which falls in the middle of the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.
The celebration revolves around when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as a sign of his faith.
It’s similar to the Christian and Jewish stories in which God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but spared him from doing so.
During this time, Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals, in Britain this is done in slaughterhouse, and the meat is divided up among friends, family and the needy.
It is based on the moon’s cycle, whereas the Gregorian one is determined by the sun.
As the two don’t align, the Islamic dates move back by 11 days each year.
The day is set when a new moon is spotted – but there is little agreement within the faith about whether the moon must be spotted with the naked eye or if it should be seen in the country where the celebrations are occurring. -thesun.co,uk
I am a Muslim man. I was previously married to a non-Muslim woman who was pregnant before we got married. I agree to be in the child's life and take the place of the child's father. I love this little girl; she is seven years old. I signed the birth certificate and more. In my heart, this is my child, and she will always be my child. I now remarried to a beautiful woman. I have not told her that the child was not my biological child because I felt that she might not agree with me taking care and being there for my ex-wife's child and might want to separate me from this child. I was told that I cannot be around this child who I have raised because I could marry her. I do not understand because this was my stepdaughter and she knew nothing more than just me she calls me daddy. I was there during her delivery and signed the papers as the father; no other father was involved, so this was my child. My ex-wife recently told her that I am not her biological child, but this little girl does not care. She loves me for me, and I love her for her. Anyway, I finally told my wife the truth about my stepdaughter, and she immediate told me that I cannot deal with her anymore or see her. This hurt me to my hart, and I do not know what to do. Please help me.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that tracing this girl back to you is not permissible; this is the form of adoption which Islam has forbidden.
Allah says (what means): {And He has not made your claimed [i.e. adopted] sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way. Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah.} [Quran 33:4-5].
Therefore, if you have done so while knowing that it is prohibited, then you have to repent to Allah.
If you married the mother of that girl through a valid marriage, even according to one scholarly view, then you are considered a Mahram (permanently unmarriageable) to her. However, if the marriage was invalid, then you have not become a Mahram to her by that.
Ibn Qudaamah said:
“Sexual intercourse is of three kinds:
1- Permissible, which is having sexual intercourse in a valid marriage or with a slave girl whom the man possesses. This type of intercourse leads to prohibition of marriage (with the woman's female ascendants and descendants) according to the consensus of the scholars, and the man is considered a Mahram to any female who became prohibited for him to marry because of having intercourse with that woman because she has become prohibited for him for a valid reason. This resembles the status of a Mahram resulting from blood relations.
2- Sexual intercourse in a doubtful marriage [when the man believes that the marriage is lawful], which is sexual intercourse in an invalid marriage, or having sexual intercourse with a woman whom he wrongly thought was his wife or his slave girl, or having sexual intercourse with a slave girl who is co-owned by him and others; and the like. The prohibition of marrying the woman's female ascendants and descendants applies in this relationship just as it applies to lawful sexual intercourse according to the consensus of the scholars … but the man does not become a Mahram for them and he is not permitted to look at them, because the sexual intercourse (with the woman of whom those women are female ascendants and descendants) was not valid, and because being a Mahram for a woman is related to being definitely prohibited from having sexual intercourse with her.”
However, your wife has the right to refuse that the girl lives with her because your wife has the right to be in a separate dwelling, as has been clarified by the jurists (scholars of Fiqh). Khaleel, from the Maaliki School of Fiqh, said in his Mukhtasar, “She [the wife] has the right to refuse to live with his [her husband’s] relatives.”
Nevertheless, your wife has no right to prevent you from taking care of that girl if you wish to be kind to her.
If you want to move forward and progress in Allah's way but the necessary factors are missing, could it be a punishment or that you are getting no further guidance? In Islam, we are told that in order to be successful on this path, we need certain things. The need to be around people, whether by being married or having a family, to avoid being alone with Shaytan (the devil), who will then attack you more. To have good pious people in your life who guide you; correct the environment you live in; the means to seek knowledge; the ability to do things if it is in an Islamic way, such as daily work, shopping, charity work, attending a gym, etc. However, doing these things always leads to some fitnah (temptation), as mixing will occur between genders or there will be other sinful things there. As women, it is hard to go out and keep busy in these ways, yet if one stays alone or without support, one becomes idle and sinful. So what if you do not have those necessary factors and fear how you will spend the rest of your life in this way, especially if marriage is not possible for some reasons? How can a person possibly achieve safety from Allah's punishment and progress forward in his path then, as even the Prophets and Companions had each other's support, and so on? It is clear that being alone causes one to fall back, as I find myself doing each time I try. This leads to questioning about whether one could be receiving the punishment of not being helped and could possibly be among those who are not guided. "Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright." I want to know whether there is a way to then be guided again? If a person is blinded further into misguidance due to what he deserved, then in the same way, is there a way that one can become deserving of being guided again according to Islam? Similarly, can one get out of Allah's punishment if this is what's happening? May Allah reward you for your help.
Answer
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists. Your letter shows your dedication and proper concern for how to be guided and receive the pleasure of Allah. Understanding this life is crucial to know what is a punishment and what is not. The only way to understand this life is to refer back to the Creator of this world; Allah, the Most High. He informed us that this life is a test for all of us, we are being tested to see whether we worship Allah at all times and in every situation or if we will turn away from the purpose of our life totally or partially. As a Muslim who understands her purpose in life and that it is to worship Allah alone by following the final Messenger, Muhammad you should take all the means that are permissible to please Allah and follow His Messenger . One of the pillars of faith is to believe in fate and that everything is by the will of Allah. He ordered us to do the best we can in whatever situation we are in, and the results are in the control of Allah. You should take the means to associate yourself with those who seek the pleasure of Allah, even if you would have to sacrifice something. Life is a struggle, try to get married to a pious individual who fears Allah, and supplicate for that. If you use all the means and you seek help from Allah and your situation is difficult, that means that Allah wants something from you at that moment, which is to be patient and to continue to be pleased with Allah as your Lord. Life is a test, and Allah showed us in the Quran that we are being tested with good and evil and that we all shall return to Allah.
Be patient, stay away from haram, and if you fall in haram and you were weak, then repent to Allah; He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. With tawheed (pure monotheism) and tawbah (repentance), you complete your faith.
Allah, the Most Merciful, does not put a burden on a person that he is not able to bear. Furthermore, the mandatory acts become non-mandatory if a person has a valid excuse. Therefore, you as a Muslim are ordered by Allah to do the best you can. If you fall short because it is beyond your capacity, then there is no sin on you, and Allah knows best what each human being’s capacity is.
My advice to you is to be hopeful and have good expectations about Allah, that He decrees for you nothing less than what is beautiful and good, for you to worship Him with different acts of worship like patience, being grateful, humbleness, etc. What really matters is to enter Paradise and be saved from Hellfire, and this path – the path to Paradise – is the path that contains tests and trials and tribulations, but the final destination is beautiful, so it is worth it to be patient, bear witness to the mercy of Allah, and then take the proper means for happiness according to the Quran and the Sunnah. -islamweb.net
Shawwal is the Islamic month that is immediately after Ramadhan, the first day being 'Eid al-Fitr.
What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwal? Is it wajib (obligatory)?
Praise be to Allah.
Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadhan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a sahih hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"Whoever fasts Ramadhan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained this when he said: "Whoever fasts for six days after ('Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it)." According to another report: "Allah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year." [An-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah. See also Sahih at-Targhib wa't-Tarhib, 1/421). It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: "Fasting for the month of Ramadhan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year."
The Hanbali and Shafi'i fuqaha' explained that fasting six days of Shawwal after fasting Ramadhan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to nafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.
Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadhan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his nafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels - although He knows best - 'Look at the salah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.' If it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say, 'Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (nafil) prayers.' If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave from his voluntary actions.' Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner."
And Allah knows best.
When should a Muslim start fasting six days of Shawwal? When can I start fasting six days of Shawwal, since we have annual leave right now?
Praise be to Allah.
You can start fasting six days of Shawwal from the second day of Shawwal, because it is haram to fast on the day of 'Eid. You can fast the six days at any time during Shawwal, although the best of good deeds are those which are done soonest.
The standing committee received the following question:
Should fasting the six days be done immediately after Ramadhan, following the day of 'Eid or is it permissible to do it a few days after 'Eid in the month of Shawwal or not?
They replied as follows:
These days do not have to be fasted immediately after 'Eid al-Fitr; it is permissible to start fasting them one or more days after 'Eid, and they may be done consecutively or separately during the month of Shawwal, according to what is easier for a person. There is plenty of room for maneuver in this matter, and this is not obligatory, it is Sunnah.
And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions and grant them peace.
Do the six days of Shawwal have to be fasted consecutively?
With regard to the six days of Shawwal after Ramadhan, is it a condition that they should be fasted consecutively, or can I separate them? I want to fast them in three sessions, on the two days of the weekend.
Praise be to Allah.
It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is OK. The sooner you do them, the better, because Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"So compete in good deeds."
"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord."
"[Musa - peace be upon him - said:] … and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased."
And (you should hasten to fast these six days) because delaying may cause problems. This is the view of the Shafi'is and some of the Hanbalis, but it is OK if you do not hasten it and you delay it until the middle or end of the month.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Our companions said: it is mustahabb to fast six days of Shawwal. Because of this hadith they said: it is mustahabb to fast these days consecutively at the beginning of Shawwal, but if one separates them or delays them until after Shawwal, this is permissible, because he will still be following the general guidelines of the hadith. We have no dispute regarding this matter, and this was also the view of Ahmad and Dawud."
Can a person start fasting six days of Shawwal when he still has days to make up from Ramadhan?
If a person fasts six days of Shawwal after Ramadhan when he has not yet completed the Ramadhan fast - because he did not fast ten days of Ramadhan for a legitimate reason - will he have the same reward as a person who fasted all of Ramadhan and followed it with six days of Shawwal, i.e. will he be like a person who fasted for a lifetime? Please explain to us, may Allah reward you with good.
Praise be to Allah.
The precise rewards for the deeds which people do for the sake of Allah is something which is known only to Allah. If a person seeks the reward from Allah and strives to obey Him, his reward will not be lost, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"We shall not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost."
If someone has missed some of the days of Ramadhan, he should fast them first, then fast six days of Shawwal, because he cannot follow the fast of Ramadhan with six days of Shawwal unless he has completed his Ramadhan fast.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
Does one have to fast six days of Shawwal every year?
If someone fasts six days of Shawwal, then one year he gets sick or something prevents him from fasting, or he is too lazy to fast, will there be any sin on him? We have heard that if a person fasts these six days one year, he must never give up this practice thereafter.
Praise be to Allah.
Fasting six days of Shawwal after the day of 'Eid is Sunnah. It is not wajib (obligatory) on the person who does this once or more often to continue doing it. He is not guilty of a sin if he does not fast these days.
And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace. -sunnahonline.com
The end of Ramadan ushers in one of two major celebrations in the Islamic calendar. A day of festivities called Eid ul Fitr. In Arabic Eid means something which returns and is repeated every certain period of time. The word eid, however, has evolved to mean a festivity. The word Fitr is the root of the word iftar (breaking the fast) and denotes the end of the fasting month. It would be wrong to assume that Muslims celebrate the fact that they no longer have to fast, as Muslims indeed are saddened by the passing of the month of Ramadan. The reality is that Muslims celebrate because God has allowed them to participate in and complete the month of fasting and spiritual reflection. Muslims celebrate the fact that God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, may accept their deeds and reward them.
“…that you should complete the number [of fasting days] and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.” (Quran: 2:185)
The Eid (or celebration) is not carried out in the way you might expect. After the previous night’s moon sighting, indicating that the blessed month of Ramadan is over, Muslims wake for the dawn prayer and the beginning of a very special day. In the early morning Muslims bathe and put on their best clothes in preparation for the special Eid prayer. It has become customary to wear new clothes in celebration of Eid. “God is beautiful, and He loves that which is beautiful,” and Eid is a time to display the favours of God. It is an act of worship to eat a few dates before setting out for the prayer in emphasis of the fact that the fasting month has indeed ended, and thus, fasting on the Day of Eid is forbidden, as it is a day of celebration and remembrance of God.
The Eid prayer is to be held outdoors in a large open ground. In inclement weather, or due to a lack of adequate arrangements, Eid prayer is sometimes performed in the mosques. Muslims can be seen walking and driving to the praying area, carrying prayer rugs and glorifying God. His or her words ringing out – “God is great, there is none worthy of worship but God; God is great, Praise be to Him.” As Muslim families begin to congregate at the prayer place, the praising of God is joined with words of congratulations such as, “Eid Mubarak” (a celebration full of blessings) and Happy Eid, as well as prayers for each other, “May Allah accept our righteous works”. Children dart about in anticipation of gifts and feasts, older people reflect on the success of Ramadan and the Magnificence of God. A quiet hush then spreads across the crowd as the Eid prayer begins. It differs slightly from the normal prayers, and although it is not obligatory, it is highly recommended that Muslims attend. Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder and give thanks to God not only for the joy of Ramadan, but also for the countless blessings He bestows upon us every day.
Before the prayer begins a special charity is to be offered. It is called Zakaat al-Fitr. Each adult Muslim, who is financially able, is expected to offer a small amount, roughly equivalent to $10 U.S, from which foodstuff is bought and distributed to the poor. Ramadan was a time when Muslims attempt to give generously and the celebration at the conclusion of Ramadan is conducted with the same spirit of generosity, ensuring that all Muslims have the opportunity to enjoy the day with feasting and celebration.
At the end of the prayer the congregation disperses and travels home or onto celebrations via a different route. Muslims try to emulate the guidance of Prophet Muhammad to travel to and from the Eid praying place using different routes. This and the fact of the prayer being held in open areas are done to show the strength of the Muslims, to induce pride on one’s faith, and to celebrate the praises of Allah openly. The actual Eid ul Fitr is one day, but in many Muslim countries, businesses and offices may close for up to a week. Due to time constraints and the fact that this Muslim holiday is not always recognised in western countries, some Muslims are unable to participate in more than a few hours of celebration. Muslims in different countries and different families celebrate in different ways.
There are gatherings of family and friends for breakfast, brunch or lunch. It is an occasion for visits, greetings, love and good wishes. It is a time to heal lost bonds, make amends, and revitalize relationships. Special foods are prepared and often dishes are sent to neighbours and friends. Each country or community has its signature dish, and a special benefit to being part of a Muslim community in the west means being able to sample delicious cuisine from around the world. Gifts, money and sweets are usually given to children and some adults exchange gifts too. Celebrations differ from community to community. There are picnics and barbeques, fairs and neighbourhood feasts, community events lasting into the night, and fireworks or laser light displays. New friends are made, old acquaintances renewed and families spend quality time together.
The celebration of Eid demands contact with relatives, kindness to parents, empathy for the poor and distraught and compassion for neighbours. It is a day of visiting and well wishing, and some Muslims take the opportunity to visit the graveyards. It is important not to make visiting the graveyards an annual Eid ritual. However, the remembrance of death and the hereafter is important at all times. Even at this time of celebration, one truly submitted to God understands that we are all but a breath away from death. In the midst of life is death and a Muslim realises that this life is but a transient stop on the way to the final abode – Paradise or Hell. Ramadan was a time of reflection and Eid is a time of celebration; however, lavish displays of wealth and materialism are to be avoided. Muslims who seized the benefits inherent in Ramadan are grateful for this time to celebrate and understand it is but one of the ways that God bestows His mercy upon us. Life can sometimes be full of tests and trials, but through the trying times as well as the celebrations God, there is with wisdom, mercy and forgiveness. A Muslim is encouraged to celebrate by glorifying God ,but reminded never to forget that the ability to love life and to celebrate, is but one of God’s bounties. -islamreligion.com
Assalaamualaikum. I am a 37-year-old woman who is divorced with two children. I live alone with my children. I live abroad, and my whole family lives in my origin country. I have 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. I met someone who seems good, and I really like him for his good character. We want to get married, but the problem is that they do not agree. They say that I have to look after my children and that is it. They say that because I have a daughter, it is not a good idea to bring a man into her life. I am very sad because I feel lonely, and at same time, I do not want to lose my family by getting married without their permission and blessings. Please advise me. May Allah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Marriage is one of the great good deeds that yield many benefits in the worldly life and the Hereafter, such as increasing the human population and guarding one's chastity, and the like of benefits.
If this man is righteous, then our advice to you is to try to convince your family by seeking the help of some wise, virtuous people to mediate between you and them. If your parents agreed to the marriage, then this is the desired objective; otherwise, you are not obliged to obey them in this regard, let alone obeying anyone else other than your parents. Children are obliged to obey their parents in whatever is of benefit to the parents and, at the same time, does not cause harm to the children. There is no benefit for your parents in objecting to your marriage, and giving up marriage could cause you much harm. If you get married and your family or parents are angry about it, then try to use every possible means to earn their pleasure.
What they said about bringing a man into your daughter's life is a weak argument for which marriage should not be given up. Actually, this man's presence in the house may be in the best interest of your children as he would help you raise them properly. It should be noted that if the marriage is consummated, your daughter becomes one of his female Mahrams (permanently unmarriageable kin) because she would be his stepdaughter. Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {Prohibited to you (for marriage) are ... and your step-daughters under your guardianship (born) of your wives unto whom you have gone in.} [Quran 4:23]
Last week, I had my period after the Zuhr prayer had come in but before I had gotten around to praying it. Do I have to make up that prayer? Someone told me that I will have to make up the `Asr prayer as well. Is this true? If it is, does the same thing apply to Maghrib and `Ishâ’?
Answer
If the time of the Zuhr has already come in and a woman gets her period before she has had a chance to pray it, then she must make up her Zuhr prayer after her period is over.
Some scholars also say that she has to make up her `Asr prayer as well, since Zuhr and `Asr can be offered together for people who have an excuse, such as travelers.
Likewise if a woman’s menstrual period ends during the time of `Asr, she should pray her Zuhr prayer along with her `Asr prayer, since the two prayers can be offered together during the time of `Asr for people who have an excuse.
The same can be said for the Maghrib and `Ishâ’ prayers. Hence, if the time of Maghrib has already come in and the woman gets her period before she has had a chance to pray it, then she must make up both her Maghrib and `Ishâ’ prayers after her period is over. Likewise, if a woman’s menstrual period ends before the time of Fajr, she should pray her Maghrib prayer along with her `Ishâ’ prayer, since these two prayers can be offered together.
And Allah knows best.
---------------------------------------
Ibn Bâz explains the same ruling in the following manner:
According to the majority of scholars, if the woman’s menstruation ends before sunset, she should pray Zuhr and `Asr. If her menstruation ends before Fajr, she should pray Maghrib and `Ishâ’.
The reason for this is that the time for `Asr is the time for Zuhr for people who have an excuse, like people who are traveling. Likewise, the time of `Ishâ’ is also a time to perform Maghrib for people who have an excuse. The woman’s menstruation is an excuse for her not to pray, so if that excuse ends during the time of `Ishâ’, she must still pray Maghrib. Likewise, if that excuse ends during the time of `Asr, she must still pray Zuhr.
is His slave and Messenger.
said:
you should take all the means that are permissible to please Allah and follow His Messenger 
