Eid Mubarak! - Eid-ul-Fitr/Eid Prayers

Eid-ul-Fitr (Id al-Fitr) is linked with the Holy month of Ramadan. It
signifies the end of the month of fasting (the first day of the month
of Shawwal).
Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any
historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles
of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly
affairs.
Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims
thank Allah (SWT) for having given them the will, the strength and the
endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy
month of Ramadan.
This day, in Muslim world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The
rejoicing is not, however,at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it
is the happiness which manfeels after successfully completing an
important task.
It is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr (the
Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family
gather to pray in congregation.
The feast of Fitr is God's reward for those who fast during the holy
month of Ramadan. In this month, man should try to add to his true
knowledge of God, do acts of charity for the needy, renew his beliefs
towards his Lord and thiswill be a real Bairam Feast (Turkish word
meaning festival) for him. The prayers of the day of Bairam a reason
of unity and solidarity of Muslims all over the world. On this day do
honor God for His endlessand all-enhancing mercy.
In view of the great significance attached to this day of Eid,
numeroustraditions consisting of prayers and worship of God on this
day, have been quoted from Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)and his Ahlul
Bayt.
Taking a solemn bath (Ghusl) on the night preceding Ramadan Eid is
highly recommended (Sunnat). This is a night of great sanctity and
profound virtues, and should be preferably spent in worship and prayer
to Allah (SWT).
Imam Zainul Abedin (A.S.)used to spend this wholenight in devotion,
and has said: "This night is as important as that of
Shab-e-Qadr/Laylatul Qadr" (that is to say, the odd night towards the
latter part of Ramadan when the Holy Qur'anwasfirst revealed to our
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)).
It is quoted from Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that "one who offers six
Rakat prayers on this night reciting in each Rakat Sura 'Al-Hamd'once
and Sura 'Qul Huwallah'five times Allah(SWT) will pardon his sins".
Haris Aawar narrates that Hazrat Ali (A.S.), on this night, after
Maghrib prayers, used to offer two Rakats prayers. In the first one he
used to recite Sure 'Al-Hamd' once and Sura 'Qul Huwallah' one hundred
times, and in the other both the Suras only once.After completion of
the prayers he would bow his head in prostration and recite "Atubo
Ellallah" 100 times and then would say, "I swear by one (God)! He has
the sole command over my life". Whoever will, in this way, offer two
Rakats prayers, the Beneficent will positively fulfill any wish begged
from Him. (Aamal- e-Shabe Eid-ul-Fitr)
The conception of Eid in Islam is not confined onlyto celebration
extravagance, luxurious feasts, friendly handshakes and embraces. The
Muslims should rather devote thisday to the worship of Allah (SWT) and
should beseech Him to approve their virtuous deeds and forgive their
sins. This is because the doors of God's pardon are kept open this day
and His Blessings are bountiful.

Eid Article - Khutbah:The Addressof 'Eid-ul-fitr

In thisSalah,Khutbah is a Sunnah and is delivered after
theSalah,unlike theSalahofJumu'ahwhere itisFardand is delivered before
theSalah.However, listening to theKhutbah of 'Eid Salahiswajibor
necessary and must be heard in perfect peace and silence.
It is asunnahthat theImambegins the firstKhutbaby reciting
takbirs'Allahu Akbar'nine times and the secondKhutbahwith reciting it
seven times.
Note:The way of 'Eid prayer described above isaccording to the Hanafi
school of Muslim jurists. Some other jurists, like Imam Shafi'i, have
some other ways to perform it. They recite Takbir twelve times before
beginning the recitations from the Holy Qur'an in both rak'ah. This
way is also permissible. If theImam,being of the Shafi'i school,
follows this way, you can also follow him. Both ways are based on the
practice of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

* How to Perform Eid Prayer

The Eid Prayer has two rak'ah to perform in the normal way, with the
only addition of six takbirs, three of them in the beginning of the
first rak'ah, and three ofthem just before ruku' inthe second rak'ah.
The detailed way of performing the 'Eid prayer is as follows:
The Imam will begin the prayer without Adhan orIqamah. He will begin
the prayer by reciting takbir of Tahrimah (Allahu Akbar). You should
raise your hands up to the ears, and reciting the takbir, you give a
little pause duringwhich you should recite Thana' (Subhanak
Allahumma.......)· After the completion of Thana'the Imam will recite
takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times, and after reciting each Takbir
(Allahu Akbar) in a low voice, you should bring your hands down and
leave them earthwards. But, after the third takbir, you should set
them at the level of your navel as you do in the normal prayer.
After these three takbirs the Imam will recite the Holy Qur'an, which
you should listen quietly. Therest of the rak'ah will be performed in
the normalway.
After rising for the second rak'ah, the Imam will begin the
recitationsfrom the Qur'an during which you should remain calm and
quiet. When the Imam finishes his recitation, he will recite three
takbirs once again, but this time it will be before bowing down for
ruku'. At each takbir you should raise your hands up to the ears, and
after saying"Allahu Akbar' bring them down and leave them earthwards.
After these three takbirs have been called and completed, the Imam
will say another takbir for bowing down into the ruku' position. At
this takbir you need not raise your hands. You just bow down for your
ruku' saying, 'Allahu Akbar'. The rest of the Salah will be performed
in its usual way.

God increases his blessings on those who are grateful

Every person is in need of God at every instant of life. From the air
one breathes to the food he eats, from the ability to use one's hands
to the faculty of speech, from being sheltered to beingin a joyful
spirit, one lives completely in need of what God creates and grants
him. Still, a vast majority of people do not perceive their weaknesses
and that they are in need of God. They suppose that thingsdevelop
spontaneously or that they acquire everything by their own efforts.
This is an important error, as well as a serious ingratitude towards
God. Ironically, people who render theirthanks to a person for even an
insignificant gift, spend all their lives ignoring the countless
blessings that God gives them all through their lives. However, so
great are the blessings granted to a person that one could never count
them. God relates this fact in a verse as follows:
If you tried to number God's blessings, you could never count them.
God is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl: 18)
Despite this fact, most people fail to give thanks for any of the
blessings they have. The reason for this is related in the Qur'an:
Satan, who pledged to misguide people from God's way, said that his
ultimate aim is to make people be ungrateful to God. Satan's defiant
statements to God emphasize the importance of giving thanks to God:
'Then I will come at them, from in front of them behind them,
fromtheir right and from their left. You will not find most of them
thankful.' He (God) said, 'Get out of it, reviled anddriven out. As
for those of them (mankind) who follow you, I, will fill up Hell with
every one of you.' (Surat al-A'raf: 17-18)
Believers, on the other hand, aware of their weaknesses and in
humility before God, render their thanks to Him for every blessing
granted. Wealth and possessions are not the only blessings for which
believers render their thanks to God. Knowing that God is the Owner
and Possessor of everything, believers express their inner
gratefulness for good health, beauty, knowledge, wisdom, love of faith
and hatred from disbelief, understanding, insight, foresight and for
power.They are thankful for being rightly guided andfor being in the
company of believers.
A beautiful landscape, easy handling of their affairs, fulfillment of
their wishes, tidings of great joy, respectful conduct or any other
blessings make believersimmediately turn to God,express their
gratefulness to Him and reflect on His mercy and compassion.
In return for good morals displayed, a reward awaits believers.This is
another of the secrets revealed in the Qur'an; God increases
Hisblessings on those who are grateful. For example, God grants even
more health and power to those who render their thanks to God for the
good health and strength they have. God bestows even more knowledge
and propertyto those who are grateful for their knowledge or wealth.
This is because they are sincere people who are contented with what
God gives and are pleased with the blessings and who take God as their
friend. God relates this secret in the Qur'an as follows:
And when your Lord announced: "If you are grateful, I will certainly
give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is
severe."' (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
Being grateful is also a sign of one's closeness toand love of God.
People who give thanks have the insight and capability to perceive the
beauties and blessings that God creates. God's Messenger, peace be
upon him, also referred to this when he said:
When God gives you property, the bliss of God's blessing and offering
must be reflected on you.
On the other hand, a disbelieving or ungrateful person will only see
the imperfections and faults even in the most beautiful environment,
and thus will be unhappy and discontented. Indeed, as a divine purpose
in God's creation, such people, always come across with seemingly
unfavorable events and unpleasant scenes. On the other hand, God
displays more of His bounties and blessings to those who have a
sincere and insightful outlook.
That God increases His blessings to those who are grateful is one of
thesecrets of the Qur'an. However, one needs to keep in mind that
sincerity is a prerequisite for being grateful. No doubt, one'sway of
showing his gratitude without turning sincerely to God and feeling the
inner peace of God's infinite mercy and compassion, which is solely
intended to impress people, would be sheer insincerity. God knows what
hearts harbor, and will bear witness to this insincerity. Those who
have insincere inner intentions may conceal itfrom other people, but
not from God. Such people may render their thanks with affected
manners when there is no affliction, but at times of hardship, it is
possible that they may readily lapse into ungratefulness.
It should be also noted that true believers remain grateful to God
even under harshest conditions. Someone looking from outside may see
the diminishing of some blessings believers enjoy. However, believers,
whoare able to perceive the good aspect of every event and situation,
see goodness in this too. For example, God states that He will test
people with fear, hunger and loss of wealth or life. In such a
situation, believers rejoice and feel grateful,hoping that God will
reward them with the gifts of paradise in return for the steadfastness
they displayed in this test.
They know that God does not impose on anyone more than he can bear.
The steadfastness and submission of such awareness lead them to
patience and gratitude. Therefore, it is an obvious attribute of
believers to show unwavering dedication and submission and God
promises to expand His blessings on His grateful servants both in the
life of this world and in the Hereafter.