The reality of Eids (Festivals) in Islam:

 

Muslims’ Eids (Festivals) are acts of obedience and sources of lawful rejoice:

 Dear brothers, our Eids are considered as occasions of rejoice for the obedient whose acts of worship were accepted by Allah, and Eid will be a source of happiness for them after a long time of striving (in performing the acts of worship) and following Allah’s orders.

  The days of Eid are considered as one of Allah’s great graces, as they are actually celebrations of acts of obedience; not occasions of celebrating sins.

 Our Eids come after great acts of worship- the Eid Al Fitr, which comes after the month of Ramadan, and Eid Al Adha, which comes after Hajj.  Even on the days of Eid, we are required to pray extra Eid salaah in congregation followed by Sermons (Khutba), so that we don't fall in to Ghaflah and Sins while celebrating.

 Dear brothers, the Eids are for those who obeyed Allah, and sorrow will be upon those who disobeyed Him.

 When a servant turns back to Allah, a caller calls those in the heavens and earth to congratulate him as he has reconciled with Allah.

The reality of Eid in Islam:

 The real Eid lies in turning back to Allah, Eid is for him who perfects his work during the day, and spends the night in obeying Allah, and Eid is for him who stays all night long reciting Quran and not listening to songs and music.

  Imam Al Hasan Al Basri said: “Every day in which Allah is not disobeyed will be considered a Eid, and every day that is spent, by the believer, in obeying his Lord, remembering Him and thanking him is a Eid as well.”

 Eid means to draw close to Allah rather than wearing new clothes, Eid is for the one who feared Allah and the day of menacing (Day of Judgment) rather than for the one who is adorned with cloths and vehicles, and Eid is for the one whose sins are forgiven. 

 O you who rejoice Eid by putting on best clothes, O you who believe beyond doubt in death yet never get ready for its gravity, O you who enjoy befriending brethren, companions and comrades, feeling secured from being taken by death, Where will you be on the day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection)?

 Dear brothers, we should be able to bring together the permissible joy and the real meaning of it as Allah meant it for us to be, that is, to rejoice Tawbah (repentance), to rejoice turning back to Allah, to rejoice reconciliation with Him, and to rejoice strengthening our connection with Him by remembering, worshiping and obeying Him.

We have to realize and remember that  the Eid is for celebrating lawfully, while praising and thanking Allah who gave us this joyous occasion and not an excuse for being in Ghaflah (heedlessness) and indulging in sinful and Haram ways of enjoyment and entertainment. 

THE NIGHT PRECEDING ‘EID-UL-FITR & sunnahs of Eid day

THE NIGHT PRECEDING ‘EID-UL-FITR

by Shaykh Fayaz Tilly

Even though this night has been named Lailatul Jaiza, it is unfortunate that us Muslims do not take advantage of such an oppurtunity to gain reward and blessings. Rather, at times we get so engaged in renting cars, shopping for nice clothes, applying henna etc., that we become negligent of the commands of Allah (swt).

Prophetic traditions have stated that Allah (swt) rewards His fasting slaves on this very night, by accepting one's du‘as. Thus a person's every wish and prayer will be granted. Therefore one should perform nafl, recite Qur'an and perform zikr on this night.

The Holy Prophet (saw) is also reported to have said: "Whoever stands up (in worship) in the night preceding the two eids expecting reward form Allah, his heart will not die when other hearts will die," (Ibn Majah).

In order to benefit and gain blessings from this night one should strive to perform a great number of good deeds on this sacred occasion.

ON THE DAY OF ‘EID-UL-FITR

To perform the following on the day of ‘Eid are Sunnah:

1. To wake up early.
2. To use Miswak.
3. To take a shower.
4. To put on one's best clothes.
5. To use ‘Itr (Scent).
6. To eat something sweet, preferably dates before the ‘Eid prayer.
7. To recite Takbir-ut-Tashriq (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahilhamd) in a soft voice while going to the ‘Eid prayer.
8. To proceed to the ‘Eid prayer one way and to return home from another way.