Eid Mubarak! - Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration

Eid-ul-Fitr is a great day of festival for Muslims. It is a day of
rejoicing and being happy. But for whom? Is it the day of rejoicing
for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume? Or is it the
day of being happy for those who were eagerly waiting for the release
ofthe greatest enemy of mankind, Satan, from his captivity so that
they all revert to committing sins? Unfortunately, many Muslims
abstain from sins during the month of Ramadan, but come Eid-ul-Fitr,
they go back to what they were before! Cassettes of prayers, which
were in their cars during the holymonth of Ramadan, are thrown back
into their cases and replaced with those, which are unlawful, by
Shari'ah. The forbidden places from which they had abstained for month
long, are infact the same places they go to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
Just as, when a person goes to a college, or a university and at the
completion of his course, he receives his award marking his
achievement, we must understand that, the holymonth of Ramadan is a
spiritual university where we are being trained to achieve Taqwai.e.
piety. The day of Eid-ul-Fitr is when Allah (SWT) is awarding us for
our achievements.
On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Hazrat Ali (A.S.) delivered a sermon in
which he said: "O people! Verily this day of yours is the day when the
righteous are awarded and the wretched are losers. It is a day which
is similar to the one on which you shall be standing (before your
Lord). Therefore, when you come out of your homes to go to places of
your prayer, remind yourselves about the day when you (your souls)
shall come out of your bodies to go to yourLord. When you stand on
places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in presence
of your Lord (on the day of Judgement). And when you return to your
homes(after prayer), remind yourselves about your returning to your
homes in Paradise. O Servants ofAllah! Verily the minimumreward for
those men and women who fasted (during Ramadan), is an Angel, who
calls out to them on the last day of the month of Ramadan (saying): O
SERVANTS OF ALLAH! REJOICE THE GLAD TIDING THAT ALL YOUR PREVIOUS SINS
HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. Therefore, watch out in those thingswhich serve as
your re-creation (on this day and days to follow)." ( Nahjul Balagha)

Eid Mubarak! - Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers (Eid Al-Fitr Namaz)

It is considered by tradition to be an obligatory [Wajib - prayer,
though technically it is an optional prayer with the injunction that
it is preferable to offer even if optional (Sunnat-e-Muakkadah)]. This
prayer is Sunnat during the period of occultation of the Imam-e-Zamana
(a.s.).
Ghusl (Purification Bath) on Eid day is sunnat, which should
preferably be taken under a shelter and not under the open sky.
Before offering Eid prayers it is recommended to have a breakfast of
dates. The specified time of Eid prayer is between sunrise and the
sun's initial decline (Zawal). If this prayer happens to bemissed it
cannot be offered late as 'Qaza'. Women are exempted from this prayer.
The Prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr can be performed individually if one has
missed the Jama'at.
It is 'Mustahab' (recommended) to offer Eid prayers with two Kutbas.
Takbir before Namaz-e-Eid: "Allaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Laa Ilaaha
Illallaah Wallaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Wa lillaahil Hamd.
Alhamdulillah Alaa Maa Hadaanaa Walahu Shukr Alaa Maa Aulana."
The meaning of the above is: Allah is Greatest,Allah is Greatest there
is no one worthy of prayer but Allah, and Allah is Greatest; Allah is
Greatest,and all Praise is for Allah. All Praise is for Allah, for
that which He has guides us and for Him is thanks for what He has."
This prayer consists of two Rakats. Niyyat (Intention) should be in
these words: "I resolve tooffer two Rakats Namaz-e-Eid, Sunnat
Qurbatan Ellallah". This should be followed by "Takbir"
(Allah-Ho-Akber). In the first Rakat after Sura 'Al-Hamd', recite
Sura 'Ala' or The Most High. Then five times Dua-e-Qunoot, followed
by Ruku and then Sajda. Then up again for the second Rakat. In the
second Rakat after Sura 'Al-Hamd'recite Sura 'Shams' or The Sunand
four times 'Dua-e-Qunoot'. After this the namaz should be completed
like the Morning Prayer.

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.