Eid Al Fitr, The Conclusion to the Holy Month of Ramadan

Abrar Chowdhry

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

Introduction

In Islam we have two days of celebrations: Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Both of these are the conclusion of two great acts of worship; Fasting and Hajj. Many times we all loudly proclaim this takbeer on the day of the Eid, but do we know precisely why we say this?

The reason is because Allah ﷻ commands us to “complete the prescribed period (of fasting) and proclaim the greatness of Allahﷻ for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful” (Holy Quran: 002: 185). From this ayah it is clear that we are to express the greatness of Allah ﷻ and be grateful to him in the days after Ramadan and throughout our life. 

The Day of Eid

“Subhanallah, Alhamdulilah, La Ilaha Illalah, Allahu Akbar”, we start the day by praising Allah ﷻ and practising the Sunnah by; cleaning the body, adorning oneself in shiny beautiful clothing, eating an odd number of delicious dates and walking to the masjid. 

A day of joy. A day of happiness. Not just for you and I, but for the whole community. A day where fasting is even forbidden! (Sunan Ibn Majah 1722). A day with delicious food, for everyone; rich or poor, and this is facilitated through the payment of Zakat Ul Fitr which purifies the giver and treats the poor person to a nice meal. 

We've reached the masjid, seeing so many illuminated faces, beaming smiles and laughter of children. We stand shoulder to shoulder in front of Allah ﷻ, with deep Khushoo (to pray to Allah from the depth of our heart with full attention and fear) and expressing our appreciation to him. We carefully listen to the Khutba and seek to understand and practise the advice delivered.

We then return home via a different route (Jami At Tirmidhi 541) and meet many more of our beloved brothers and sisters and spread salam and joy throughout the community. Alhamdulillah, what an amazing day! 

Gratitude

Remember the time when we were children and on Eid Day we received amazing gifts from our parents. Naturally we were very appreciative and happy with the Eid gift and so we thanked our parents abundantly and took so much care of the gift. 

The gift we receive during the month of Ramadan from Allah ﷻ is extraordinary; far greater than any material possession in this Dunya. Allah ﷻ enabled us to worship him on Laylatul Qadr, gave us the opportunity to gain his forgiveness and increase in our Taqwa. Now recognising the greatness of this gift, how should we respond? 

Do we rebel against Allah ﷻ ? Do we become lazy with Salah? Do we listen to Music? Do we engage in haram relationships? Do we look at haram? Do we consume haram?

Never again! 

Alhamdulillah we are so grateful to Allah ﷻ and are now people of Taqwa. So…

We avoid all sins, be constant on salah, continuously engage in dhikr and practise good character in all of our affairs. 

Ultimately the choice is yours, but what is clear is there is only one right choice - and that is to remain obedient to Allah ﷻ to the best of our ability. 

We all have gone through much spiritual training during Ramadan, so don’t waste your efforts by being lazy or heedless. 

The true measure of how successful our Ramadan was, is whether we return to the disobedience of Allah ﷻ, or we strive to the best of our ability to be good? 

How Can We Ensure We Stay Obedient to Allah ﷻ After Ramadan Ends?

Firstly, have the intention that you will continue the good practices and avoid sins solely for the Pleasure of Allah ﷻ. 

As a reminder, the objective of fasting in the month of Ramadan was to obtain Taqwa (Holy Quran 002:183). So having worked hard for a whole month to build Taqwa within us, it would be a great shame if we fall back to our old ways. Therefore, we should never have the intention of returning to a sin after Ramadan comes to an end. 

Eid Day is a critical point because it is the beginning of our lives post Ramadan, so it’s important to start it on the “right foot”. It would be a great shame if a person begins Eid Day but has missed Fajr Salah or had an argument with his family in the morning.

Alhamdulillah we prayed five times a day and offered Tahajjud prayers in Ramadan. Let's continue with that.

Alhamdulillah we built a relationship with the Holy Quran in Ramadan, so do not let the Holy Quran gather dust for the remaining eleven months. 

Alhamdulillah we spent hours during Ramadan for Taraweeh, so let us perform salah in congregation daily in the Masjid. 

Alhamdulillah we fasted for long hours for 30 whole days.

Fasting is a shield (Sahih Muslim 1151).

It has increased our Taqwa. So let us offer optional fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, Ayyamul Bidh and six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal which equals to  a reward of fasting a whole year (Jami at Tirmidhi 759). 

Alhamdulillah we were so generous and charitable in Ramadan. Allah ﷻ continues to bless our wealth. So let us continue to spend in the path of Allah ﷻ. 

Alhamdulillah we made so much sincere Dua to Allah ﷻ. Dua is the essence of worship (Jami Tirmidhi 3371). So let us continue to beg Allah ﷻ to remain firm on Islam, beg for his forgiveness, beg for success in the Dunya and Akhira, not just for ourselves but for the whole Ummah.

May Allah ﷻ accept all of our efforts in the Holy Month of Ramadan and aid us in living a life of Taqwa and Gratitude. Ameen!

Abrar Chowdhry

Alimiyyah Graduate, Chartered Accountant and Student of

Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz حفظه الله