The day of Eid

EID-UL-FITR
Hazrat Ibn Abbas(radhiyallahu anhu) says in a lengthy hadith, that he heard Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) say:"And the night of Eid-ul-Fitr, the night that is called Laylatul Jaa'izah, (The night of
prize giving), comes along. On the morning of Eid Allah sends down the Malaa'ikah to all the lands of the earth where they take their positions at access points of roads, calling out with a voice that is heard by
all except man and jinn. "O Ummah of Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) come forth from your houses towards a Lord that is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the major sins". When they proceed towards the places for their Eid Salaah, Allah says to the Malaa'ikah: "What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered his services?"

The Malaa'ikah replies, "O Lord and Master, it is only right that he should receive his reward in full for his services". Allah then says, "I call you to witness, O My Malaa'ikah, that for their having fasted during the month of Ramadhaan, and for their having stood before Me in prayer by night, I have granted to them as reward My pleasure and have granted them forgiveness. O My servants ask now of Me, for I swear by
My honour and My greatness, that whatsoever you shall beg of Me this day in this assembly of yours for the needs of the Hereafter, I shall grant you; and whatsoever you shall ask for worldly needs, I shall look at you favourably. By My honour I swear, as long as you shall obey My commands, I shall cover your faults. By My Honour and My Greatness do I swear that I shall never disgrace you among the evil-doing ones and disbelievers.
Depart now from here, you are forgiven. You have pleased Me and I am pleased with you.
The Malaa'ikah on seeing this great reward bestowed by Allah upon the ummah of Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr become greatly pleased and happy". (Targheeb, also a
similar hadith reported by Anas(radhiyallahu anhu) in Bayhaqi)

1. SUNNATS OF EID
The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of 'Eid-ul-Fitr before proceeding to the Eid prayer:
1. To wake up early in the morning.
2. To clean one's teeth with a Miswaak.
3. To take a bath (Ghusl).
4. To put on one's best available clothes;ensuring that it conforms
with Sharia'h (Sunnah dress).
5. To wear perfume-itr.
6. To eat a sweet food, preferably dates, before departing for Eid Salaat.It was the noble habit of Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), not to go out in the morning on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr,
till he ate some dates, and he would eat an odd number. (Bukhari)
7. To go to the Musallah-'Eid Gah' as early as possible.
8. To give 'Sadaqatul Fitr' before leaving for the Eid Gah.
9. To perform Eid Salaat on the Musallah-'Eid Gah' rather than the Masjid. There is no harm for aged and the sick to perform their Eid Salaat in the Masjid.
10. To choose a separate route when returning from the Eid Gah.
11. To walk to the Eid Gah. However, there is no harm in using any means of conveyance if the Eid Musallah is a distance away.
12. To recite the following Takbir in the low voice while going to the Eid prayer: "Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd"
13. Offering congratulations: The etiquette of Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people, no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum (May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you" or "Eid Mubaarak"
and other permissible expressions of congratulations. Offering congratulations was something that was well known among the Sahaabah, and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it. There is
evidence which suggests that it is prescribed to offer congratulations and good wishes on special occasions, and that the Sahaabah congratulated one another when good things happened, such as when Allah accepted the repentance of a man, they went and congratulated him for that, and so on. Undoubtedly these congratulations are among the noble characteristics among the Muslims.

3. TODAY'S DUAA:
O Allah ! Accept our broken, weak efforts in this Auspicious month of Ramadhaan. O Allah accept our fasting, our ruku,sujood, zikr, Qura'an tilaawah, taraweeh and all our ibaadahs in this month of Ramadhaan. It is only through Your Mercy that we were able to pass through this month and yet we have not fulfilled it's right. We have erred and have not taken the maximum benefit from the auspiciousness of this month. O
Most Merciful of those who show Mercy! we beg You to accept us in our weaknesses and shower us the opportunity to start afresh with renewed Imaan,Ikhlaas and taqwa. We leave this month with sadness, but only to beg of You to afford us the opportunity to see the next Ramadhaan with more zeal to become conscious of You, to be become more obedient to You and to attain Your eternal Pleasure. Ameen.


A Joyous EID MUBARAK to you and your family