`Eid Al-Fitr: A Day of Joy and Thanksgiving

 

`Eid Al-Fitr is the day of thanksgiving and joy. It marks the end of the month of fasting, and it is when we feel happy and give thanks to Allah that He enabled us to obey His commands. We all fasted during the month of Ramadan, and by the end of the month, we realize that Allah’s commands are good for us; they aim at our well-being.

Allah does not want to put any burden on us; He gave us the rules of fasting for our own benefit. Fasting has many benefits for individuals and for communities. It has spiritual, moral, and physical benefits.

Significance of `Eid al-Fitr

`Eid Al-Fitr has a deep significance. Its spirit is marked by distinguished values and virtues:

• Thanksgiving and expressing gratitude to Allah
• Experiencing joy and rejoice
• Maintaining ties of kinship
• Taking care of the poor and the needy

Thanksgiving and Expressing Gratitude

`Eid Al-Fitr is a day that marks the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadan. It is a festival that signifies the completion of an act of duty and devotion. It teaches us that real happiness results from performing one’s duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective.

We should thank Almighty Allah, for He guided us to fasting in Ramadan, to doing good deeds, and to reciting the Qur’an. We should thank Him, for He is the One Who gave us the money we paid for zakat al-fitr and other charities. Allah says in the Qur’an,

{And (He desires) that you should complete the prescribed period and that you should glorify Allah for having guided you and that you may give thanks.} (Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Joy and Rejoice

`Eid is our joy; it is our feast. The month of Ramadan is a test from Almighty Allah. At the end of the month, we experience a great sense of achievement and closeness to Allah. It is the joy of spiritual fulfillment.

The day of `Eid Al-Fitr is time for celebration. On that day, we should not indulge in insulting or abusing others, as this may detract from the achievements of the month of Ramadan. `Eid Al-Fitr is a day of decent happiness and joy.

Almighty Allah says,

{Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy — therein let them rejoice. It is better than what they hoard.} (Yunus 10:58)

Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Those who fast will have two times at which they will feel happy: When they break their fast, they feel happy for breaking the fast, and when they meet their Lord, they will be happy because of their fast” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

However, in celebrating `Eid Al-Fitr, we should enjoy our time by sticking to what is permissible and avoiding what is unlawful.

Maintaining Ties of Kinship

`Eid Al-Fitr is a day when Muslims become more keen on visiting their relatives and friends. In the process, they exchange greetings and maintain ties of kinship. We should all visit our relatives or at least call them. Muslim brothers and sisters should greet one another by saying “Happy `Eid” or “May Allah accept your good deeds and ours.”

The Prophet said,

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should maintain good relations with his or her kindred” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Taking Care of the Poor and the Needy

Although Almighty Allah commanded us to take care of the needy, the poor, and the orphans throughout the year, taking care of them during `Eid Al-Fitr and `Eid Al-Adha is given greater emphasis. Allah and His Prophet instructed us to fulfill the needs of the poor and the needy in both `Eids, so that they would not be in need of begging.

This is the spirit of `Eid Al-Fitr, so let’s always keep this spirit among us. Let’s strengthen our bonds with our Creator and with one another. Let’s be more united and more and more committed to righteousness as individuals, families, and communities.

Finally, here are some tips that can help us all keep the spirit of `Eid Al-Fitr:

• Before you finish your i`tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque), greet all your brothers and sisters, saying “Happy `Eid” or “May Allah accept your good deeds and ours.”
• Visit all your relatives and close friends, and call those who are living far away.
• Take care of your family and your kids, and let them feel the happiness of `Eid.
• Take part in `Eid celebrations to see your Muslim brothers and sisters.
• Make du`aa’ for your Muslim brothers and sisters everywhere.
• Try to celebrate the `Eid through permissible practices and keep away from unlawful ones.

May Allah accept our good deeds and grant us His forgiveness and mercy.

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Wael Shehab

Dr. Wael Shehab has a PhD in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Imam of the Downtown Toronto Masjid in Canada.

The Hand That Gives: Etiquette of Zakat and Sadaqa

 

The Quran and hadith offer Prophetic guidance regarding the disbursal of our charity and zakat in person, not by proxy.

This enables us to better understand the people we’re helping, know how the money is being put to use, and offer more than just cash.

It’s important to have conversations with those we’re aiming to help, for us to learn more about their condition.

What They Really Need

When we speak with those in need of our support, we learn about their lives and struggles.

Through, a two-minute conversation with a stranger, I often uncovered other less superficial ways to assist.

Perhaps they’re having a hard time with some paperwork or documentation.

Maybe they need a ride to an important health or court appointment.

Perhaps they need a new pair of glasses, bedding, diapers, or clothes for their child, or any other item that is within our budget and means to give.

I was once homeless for a short stretch. When I finally moved into my new apartment with the help of a local homelessness relocation program, I owned next to nothing.

I brought with me a laptop, a few suitcases of personal items, and an inflatable air mattress.

I moved in the winter, so it was crucial that I get some type of home put together for my children and I fast.

However, not a single soul stepped forward to offer me cash.

Instead, they followed Quranic guidance and offered me dishes, cutlery, bedding, used clothing, children’s books, toys, and even some pantry staples.

These ready-to-use items were perfect. I was unable to drive around town and hunt down affordable items.

I had too many other pressing issues like prenatal, and court appointments, demanding my time.

In that moment, their charity was in their gifted belongings, which I accepted with humbled gratitude.

I also have a friend who is a beautician and a hairstylist. She’s trained in more than one discipline and also on various continents.

A Real-Life Story

She’s also known for hardship – which makes her very attuned to others in need.

Recently, she set out to offer free haircuts on weekends to homeless men and women in a downtown park.

Her aim was only to make their lives a little cleaner, fresher, and easier by offering what she could of herself and her expertise to these men and women in need.

However, what she soon discovered, after talking to them throughout their haircuts, is that they needed much more than just one-time grooming.

They needed socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, Tylenol, and other toiletries.

She used social media and word of mouth to reach out to others in her circle. She pooled her personal resources along with donations from family and friends.

Together, they put together dozens of well-stocked kits.

When she went back the next time for her usual weekend haircut, she came bearing simple gifts: gifts that were both appropriate and well received.

She took the time to get to know those she was aiming to help.

She learned the depth of their struggles and all the other ways that she, and her friends, could give.

What the Prophet (Pbuh) Did

What she did was guided by her faith, because we have a very similar example from the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Our Prophet did not condone or encourage beggary as a routine source of income.

However, we are not, as Muslims, supposed to be harsh with beggars either.

As Muslims, our aim is to gently discourage begging and assist others in becoming self-sufficient instead.

In one narration, a man approached Prophet Muhammad begging for money. Prophet Mohammed asked the beggar to instead bring him the belongings that he kept at home.

The man brought back a cloth and a cup. Next the Prophet Mohammed auctioned off the belongings amongst his companions and earned two durham (more than double what the items were probably worth).

He told the man to keep half of the money for his home and family expenses and spend the other half on an axe head.

When the man returned, Prophet Muhammad fashioned the axe head to the handle himself.

He told the man to go cut wood with the axe to sell at the local market and not come back for two weeks.

The man did as he was told. When he returned later, he had earned 10 durhams, and used the money to buy a new blanket and food.

He was also well on his way to earning halal income and achieving financial independence. [Hadith source: Sunan Abu Dawud 1641]

This story teaches a valuable lesson. Except for the rare cases where people are in severe poverty, severe debt, or are too sick or injured to work, we all need a hand up instead of a handout.

When we’re stuck in poverty, it becomes very difficult to see the way out.

Researchers have even observed that poverty changes us in fundamental ways that make it next to impossible to think clearly, resulting in a circular cycle of defeats.

Those outside that spiral can offer valuable advice in the form of guidance, training, and volunteered time – directing the needy out of their poverty and problems.

Prophet Muhammad made a proud man out of a beggar.

He showed him how to cut wood and earn halal stable income for his family expenses instead of begging hand to mouth every day.

As you set out to give for charity and zakat, consider making an extra effort to get to know those you’re helping on a personal level.

Reach out to families directly. Get to know their stories.

Connect them with other people and services. Get them job training, pro-bono legal, medical, and dental work, or just listen to their stories.

Perhaps a listening ear is all they really want and need.

Often, we prefer to hand over a few bucks and look the other way, thinking we’ve done enough.

Instead, the best help is often a hard lift up over the wall of defeat.

***

- aboutislam.net

About Janet Kozak

Janet Kozak is a content strategist who helps businesses grow their brand with creative copywriting and content marketing. When she’s not writing and designing, you can find her indulging in masala fries or elbow deep in scraps of paper creating her one-of-a-kind art collages. Meet Janet and get ready to grow your business at http://janetkozak.com/

Can You Rinse Your Mouth during Ramadan?

 

Rinsing mouth and nose during wudu (ablution) is either classified as a Sunnah act of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), according to Imams Abu Hanifah, Malik, and Ash-Shafi`i, or as an obligation, according to Imam Ahmad who considers it to be a part of washing the face.

In both cases, one should not abandon rinsing them when making wudu whether fasting or not.

It is noteworthy that a fasting person should not exaggerate in doing it. Here, we recall the Prophetic Hadith that reads, “When you rinse your nose, overdo it except if you are observing fasting.” (Abu Dawud) 

Accordingly, if one rinses his mouth or nose in wudu while fasting and some water goes down his throat without intending or overdoing it, his fast remains valid.

This is similar to the case when dust from the roadway or a fly enters the throat, which is regarded as a mistake, for which this nation will not be held accountable, even if some scholars differ regarding them.

Also, rinsing the mouth for other aims than wudu will not invalidate one’s fasting as long as none of the water goes down the throat.

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti

The late member of the North American Fiqh Council

I Felt the Power of That Night – I Found Peace

 

For me, I always felt that connection with God.

Within the trinity, looking back, I think my connection was with the “father”, like you know you want to go to the highest authority.

So with the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit you go to the highest figure, so I always had that connection.

And you know, my favorite part of church always was coming back after the communion and you pray, and you say like “bless my Mummy and my doggy and everything”.  And so I felt I always had that spiritual connection.

When my family left the Catholic church after the scandal with the Catholic priests and the boys, a friend in high school introduced me to Islam.

Visiting a Mosque

Then as I had just entered my freshman year in college in Virginia, I was actually invited by some friends I had met at the MSA (Muslim Student Association), I was a non-Muslim. It was Ramadan and everyone was fasting and they took me at night to the masjid (mosque) for laylatul-qadr (the night of power in the last 10 days of Ramadan).

I had never been in a masjid before, and walking in I could feel the power of that night. I went into the kind of dark room, and everyone was praying and a lot of people were crying, and I didn’t know what was going on.

And I walked in, and some lady pulled my arm and pulled me in-line, and so I was just like mind of … okay … , and then I would hear something again and again, Allahu Akbar, and then I followed and I would do the next thing.

But that night and that feeling definitely stood out to me, and that kind of pushed me to take the next step to further my own education for myself about Islam.

Two Turning Points

I always tell people that there were two types of turning points: there was laylatul-qadr which was like me feeling that spiritual connection, and then there was my education.

Imam Zaid Shakir has a “Back to Basics: Islam 101” set of DVDs. It goes through everything: it talks about the pillars, the articles of faith, and it addresses things that often make non-Muslims shy away from Islam, like what’s the deal with Ossama bin Laden, what’s the deal with the Taliban, … all those issues, and he addresses them, and just the way he talks Ma-Sha-Allah he’s a great speaker.

You can tell he is so at peace with his life and his Creator, so that really educated me on everything. And that was what pushed me to say OK, I am a Muslim, I need to take the next step to say the Shahadah, so I did that at the mosque.

Al-Hamdulel-Allah, I’m not one of those stories where my parents wanted to kick me out. My parents saw that I was happy, while at High School not so happy. So when they saw that I was actually finding something that made me happy, of course they want that for me.

My parents weren’t that happy about the hijab, they did not want me to wear the hijab; they’ve got used to it, Al-Hamdulel-Allah as I did not think that would happen. I just graduated from college and I’m home, they don’t really make any more comments, they now accept it Al-Hamdulel-Allah. And my mother and I are very close and she has actually started buying me hijab.

Ramadan

All the nights in Ramadan, not only laylatul-qadr, after fasting and everyone goes to the masjid and you can feel that power of the night of praying tarawih. That’s the most special part of Ramadan for me, as well as the discipline in the day, as I never realized I was so not disciplined.

You really don’t realize how much you take food and water for granted until every time you go to get some you realize you can’t. So that discipline I feel is very important for everyone.

I would love just to be able to sit down and really talk from my heart about how happy I am.  I know everyone whether they say there is no God, or if they say I don’t care if I die that’s it… And everyone has those questions about what happens when I die. I know there must be something else going on, and for me to find that peace, I would love to give that to them through Islam.

What I found for myself is that we think we have control when things are going good, but when something goes bad that’s when people cry out to God. That moment of realizing that God is the One in control, I think that humbling effect is what can really change people’s lives.

There is One God.

- aboutislam.net

Ramadan: Blessing or Deprivation?

 

Many mothers and fathers want their children to deeply internalize Ramadan, as they do, and forget the age difference.

Concentrating on making Ramadan a warm, positive, and happy experience in the whole house is a priority.•We should not expect young children to feel or practice the worship we started when we were older.

A light but consistent daily dose of Qur’an accompanied by linking its meaning and application to daily life is what I would suggest.

Yes, this is a very important statement, but before I reply to it, let me just go back in memory with you to your childhood, and mine, if you allow me. Let us go back to a positive memory or experience we went through as children. Why did we feel happy? What was going on? How ready were we to follow our parents’ instructions following such happy experiences?

What I am trying to tell you, sister, is that we ourselves took some time to internalize the real value of the Qur’an and Ramadan. The older you are, in sha’ Allah, the more you are ready and, hopefully, willing to explore the inner meanings of Ramadan.

Many mothers and fathers want their children to deeply internalize Ramadan, as they do, and forget the age difference. I think that concentrating on making Ramadan a warm, positive, and happy experience in the whole house is a priority.

We should not expect young children to feel or practice the worship we started when we were older. This does not mean that we should minimize our expectations of our children in this holy month; it just means that we have to prioritize our objectives.

The main objective is the general air of the house, which will pave the way to all other objectives. As for Qur’an in the month of Qur’an, it would be a good idea to choose verses that tell the stories children love most and to reflect on them together.

For example, the story of Prophet Ibrahim or of Prophet Yusuf (peace and blessings be upon them); try to link these stories to the children’s own daily lives in a manner they will find enjoyable and understandable.

We need to raise children who have a voluntary conscious link to the holy Qur’an stemming from love and choice. A light but consistent daily dose of Qur’an accompanied by linking its meaning and application to daily life is what I would suggest.

---

Check out this video:

May Allah link our hearts and the hearts of our children to the holy Qur’an and grant us, and them, its memorization, understanding, and application.

Ameen.

- aboutislam.net

What Is the Importance of Qiyam-ul-Layl?

 

The expression “Qiyam Al-Layl” is derived from the Quran for what is also known as Tahajjud prayer.

Tahajjud is preferably offered after midnight, but before fajr.

During the month of Ramadan, stay awake, standing in long prayers, striving to get closer to Allah. The occasion of such long prayers is known as Qiyam Al-Layl.

Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl:

The Quran says what means:

{And as for the night, keep awake a part of it as an additional prayer for you: soon will your Lord raise you to a station of praise and glory!} (Al-Israa’ 17:79)

This was a command directly addressed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), but it is also meant for his followers to adopt these special prayers, as additional prayers of devotion to Allah.

In the Quran, Allah speaks of such devotees who pray at night:

{They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} (As-Sajdah 32:16)

This verse and those like it make obvious reference to Qiyam Al-Layl.

In addition, the Prophet said:

Keep up Qiyam Al-Layl. It was the way of the virtuous who came before you, it draws you nearer to your Lord, atones for your sins, forbids you from evil and protects the body from sickness. (At-Tirmidhi)

Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) reported that he used to keep standing so long in night prayers that the skin of his feet would crack.

When asked, why he did this while all his past and future sins were forgiven, he said:

Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah? (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

The best of prayers, after the prescribed prayers, is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allah, Muharram. (Muslim)

According to Amr ibn Absah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

The time when the closest the Lord is to His slave is in the later part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allah at that time, then do so. (At-Tirmidhi)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preferred to go to sleep early, after isha prayer. The reason was to avoid sleeping too long, for fear of missing fajr prayer or Qiyam Al-Layl.

Also, Umar ibn al-Khatab used to urge people to sleep early, so that they would not miss Qiyam Al-Layl.

Connecting our Hearts With Allah

Qiyam Al-Layl is an act of worship that connects the heart to Allah and enables it to overcome the temptations of life and to strive against one’s own self, at the time when voices are stilled, eyes are closed in sleep, and sleepers are tossing and turning in their beds.

Therefore, Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the measures of sincere determination and one of the qualities of those who have great ambitions.

Allah has praised them and distinguished them from others in the Quran:

{Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer] during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord [like one who disbelieves]? Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember.} (Az-Zumar 39:9)

Qiyam Al-Layl is a sunnah mu’akkadah (confirmed habit of the Prophet, recommended to be followed), which he (peace be upon him) urged us to do when he said:

You should pray Qiyam Al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, will expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin and expel disease from the body. (At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)He (peace be upon him) always had the habit of praying Qiyam Al-Layl, and never gave it up, whether he was traveling or staying at home.

Women Too

Among the pious ladies of the old times too, we read of many who were very keen to pray Qiyam Al-Layl. Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Jibreel said to me, ‘Go back to Hafsah, for she fasts a lot and prays a lot at night (Qiyam Al-Layl).’ (Al-Hakim)

Muadhah al-Adawiyah, one of the righteous women physicians spent her wedding night, along with her husband, Silah ibn Ashyam, praying until dawn.

Then, when her husband and son were killed, she would spend the whole night in prayer, worshiping and beseeching Allah. Then, she would sleep during the day. If she felt sleepy whilst she was praying at night, she would tell herself: “O soul, there is plenty of sleep ahead of you.”

The above sayings and anecdotes of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his early followers clearly illustrate the importance of Qiyam Al-Layl.

It tells us about the boundless blessings Allah would bestow on us, if we care to spend the few hours of the night in prayerful worship of our All-Merciful Lord.

May Allah bless us to be His sincere devotees, to merit His rewards here and hereafter!

- aboutislam.net

About Professor Shahul Hameed

Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

What Duaa to Make on Laylat Al-Qadr?

 

The best duaa to make on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Lady Aishah.

It was narrated that Aishah (may Allah Almighty be pleased with her) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibb al-`afwa fa`affu `anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” (At-Tirmidhi)

Laylat Al-Qadr: The Most Special Night of Ramadan

As we approach the last 10 nights of Ramadan, we search the sky for the most blessed night of them all: Laylat Al-Qadr.

What is so special about this night? This was the night in which the Quran revelation started (over a time span of 23 years) to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Allah says what means:

{Verily! We have sent it [the Quran] down on the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the ruh [Gabriel] by Allah’s Permission with all decrees. Peace […] until the break of dawn.} (Quran 97:1-5)

What Duaa to Make on Laylat Al-Qadr?

The best duaa to make on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Lady Aishah.

It was narrated that Aishah (may Allah Almighty be pleased with her) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibb al-`afwa fa`affu `anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” (At-Tirmidhi)

Feel free to make other duaa as well. You can prepare a list of things that have been lingering on your mind. Open up your heart to Almighty and ease your chest of that load.

Abundant Rewards

Allah says what means:

{The Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr) is better than a thousand months.} (Quran 97:3)

Worshipping Allah on Laylat al-Qadr is better than 1000 months! This means that all the hard work you will do on this night of qiyam, reading the Quran, duaa, charity, etc. would be worthy of more than “83 years” of worship! O Allah your blessings are endless.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Don’t miss out on getting your sins erased and the abundant rewards that await you from this blessed night.

Seek it on The Odd Nights?

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Seek Lailat Al-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari).

Laylat Al-Qadr is most likely to be sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan: the night of the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the twenty-ninth.

Specifically, the night of the 27th. An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

The hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka‘b says that he used to swear that it was the night of the twenty-seventh, but this is one of several opinions concerning it.

May Allah bestow upon us the honor to be amongst those who witness Laylat Al-Qadr. Ameen.

And Allah knows best.

I hope this helps.

- aboutislam.net

About Suzana Nabil Saad, MA

Suzana Nabil Saad is a Community Manager and a Live Chat Agent at aboutislam.net. She previously worked as an editor for Ask About Islam and has written more than 30 articles. She has many years of experience in outreach and holds an Ijazah in Quran recitation.She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the Faculty of Languages, Ain Shams University, Egypt. She obtained her Master’s Degree of Arts in English Literature from Gothenburg University, Sweden.She currently resides in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and three kids. She loves reading, hiking and traveling.