God, the Gracious and Merciful always accept prayers, His Mercy has ever been expanding and one can knock at His door anytime, He always accepts prayers. He never tires of giving and accepting prayers. This becomes even more pronounced during the month of Ramadhan.
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| Imam Syed Shamshad A. Nasir, Detroit, Michigan USA |
Source/Credit: Syed Shamshad A. Nasir
By Syed Shamshad A. Nasir | May 2, 2018
Translated from Urdu by Mr. Muhammad Ahmad
By the sheer Grace of Allah, we will be entering the holy month of Ramadhan once again. Regarding the significance of this month, our beloved Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “O’ People, a great month is about to descend over you, this is such a great month that it has one specific night which carries reward greater than thousand nights. God has prescribed fasting and praying during its nights as Nawafil”
Holy Prophet (pbuh) has also mentioned that “This is a month of patience, the reward for patience is heavens. This is a month of sympathy and empathy during which a believer’s provision is increased”
He said that “this is such a month whose beginning is mercy, the middle is forgiveness and end is delivering oneself from the fire”
In the Books of Bukhari and Muslim, regarding the holy month of Ramadhan, Abu Huraria (ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “When the month of fasting arrives, the doors of the heavens are opened, the doors of the hell are shut, and the Satan is put in chains”
The meaning of opening the doors of heavens is that the believers get the opportunity to perform righteous deeds that take them to the heavens during this month. Same way shutting down the doors of hell means the believers keep themselves engaged and occupied in prayers and other pious acts that save them from sins and God’s displeasure, and they try to save themselves from every kind of sin and thus the doors of hell are closed for such a person.
Chaining of the Satan during this month here mean the believers don’t come under his influence as they try their utmost to please God Almighty.
In one of the Hadith of Trimidhi, it is narrated “on the first night of the Ramadhan, one of the callers from Allah makes the announcement that ‘O’ seeker of the righteousness, come forward and O’ seeker of the sin, stop, and for the sake of Allah many are freed from the fire and this happens on every night of Ramadhan’
In regard to the blessings of the month of Ramadhan, it is narrated in another hadith “when the month of Ramadhan passes with peace, it means that the whole year has passed with peace”
Hazrat Abdullah Bin Amar narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “In the heavens, the preparations to welcome the Ramadhan commence after its end till its arrival the following year.” Tofatusiam page 35
Congregational Prayers during Ramadhan
During the month of Ramadhan, everyone must try their best to offer the five daily prayers in congregation as praying in congregation carries a many fold reward compared to praying alone. Wherever Holy Quran mentions prayer, it mentions in the context of offering in the congregation. Praying alone is only permissible in situations of unavoidable circumstances.
Hazart Musleh Mao’ud (ra) says, “If one is sick or is out of town, or has forgetfulness, or if no other Muslim is available in the vicinity, praying alone is permissible, in the absence of these circumstances, praying by himself amounts to as if one didn’t pray at all and be considered as one who has forsaken his prayer” Tafseer-e-Kabir Vol 1 page 106
Allah rewards a person according to his intention; therefore, we must always make our intentions to offer our sala’at in the congregation. If someone makes his full effort and still not able to join sala’at in the masjid, he will be considered having offered his salat in congregation in the eyes of Allah. Then he can say his prayers with his children and family at home. It should also be remembered that if mere laziness stopped one from going to the mosque then it will not be appropriate.
You may have heard about a blind person who asked permission from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that due the unpaved and rough streets of Madina and no one there to lead him to the mosque, he be given permission to pray at home, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) gave him permission, but when the person was about to leave, Holy Prophet (pbuh) enquired from him if he could hear the call to the prayer at his home, he responded ‘yes O’ messenger of Allah’ I do hear the call to the prayer. Upon hearing this, Holy Prophet (pbuh) said then you must come for prayer at the mosque” Garden of Righteous Hadith #1066
This incident tells us that even in cases of apparently genuine excuses when one is blind, Holy Prophet (pbuh) didn’t permit for praying at home.
In another Hadith, it is narrated that Holy Prophet (pnuh) said “A person who says his prayers in the congregation for forty days and joins prayers during the first takbir, he will be delivered from the fire and hypocrisy” Selected Ahadith page 53
In one of the Hadith of Kanzul-Ammal, significance and blessing of congregational prayer is evident: “Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, one who offered his prayers in the congregation from the beginning of Ramadhan to its end, will get the rewards almost equal to the reward Laila-tul-Qadr”
In America and other European countries, people generally live at a distance from the mosque and although it is not impossible, certainly becomes difficult to come to the mosque for the prayers in congregation.
In regard to this, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) says “God has a great reward for those who come to Mosque from distances to say prayers in congregation and a person who spends his time waiting for the Imam, Allah will reward him as well compared to one who prays at home and then goes to sleep.” Garden of Righteous Hadith # 1057
There are numerous Ahadith in regard to the importance of congregational prayers and in each one of these, a great emphasis, encouragement, and zeal is shown to offer prayers in congregation. One should not skip the congregational prayer in any condition. It is narrated in one of the hadith that “when a person perfoms his ablution at home and proceed to the mosque with the sole purpose of saying Sala’at in the congregation, each step he takes will elevate his status and his mistakes will be wiped out. As as long as he is in the mosque waiting for the imam, the angles seek blessings on him that, O’ God have mercy on him ” (Riadul-Saleheen Hadith 1065)
Therefore, must try to say prayers in congregation during the month of Ramadhan despite all hardships. We should not only try ourselves but also encourage our children and families and remind them to say prayers in congregation during this blessed month. This is exactly what the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has addressed us to do as in verse 133 of chapter 20: “And enjoin prayers on thy people and be constant therein.”
Holy Quran mentions Hazrat Ishma’el in these words, “He used to enjoin Prayer on his people” 19:56
Hazrat Musleh Mau’ood (ra) says “You should adopt the habit of congregational prayers and make sure your children also offer prayers regularly in the congregation, as in my view prayer in congregation is the most important thing for their guidance and reformation” Tafseer-e-Kabir vol 9 page 651
We must all try to come to the mosque for the congregational prayer and bring our children and families along with us as this month serve as training for prayers in the congregation which will be helpful during the entire year. InshaAllah
Recitation of the Holy Quran during Ramadhan
The Holy month of Ramadhan is very closely associated with the Holy Quran. This blessed month reminds us the revelation of the Holy Quran to our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Almighty Allah. In the chapter Al-Baqra, Allah says “the month of Ramadhan is that in which the Quran was sent down” 2:186
We must try to recite the Holy Quran as much as possible during the month of Ramadhan. It is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah Bin Amarr that on the day of judgment, the fast and the Quran will intercede before God that O’ Allah ‘I forbade this person from eating or drinking during the day and (he did) there accept my intercession in his favor’, And the Holy Quran will say “ O, Allah I stopped him from sleeping during the night (he used to recite the holy Quran during the night), there accept my intercession in his favor” and thus both of the intercessions will be accepted by the Almighty Allah.
During the month of Ramadhan, arrangements are made in the mosque for the teaching the Holy Quran (Dars-ul-Quran) on daily basis. We must try our best to participate in this as well. It is narrated in one of the hadith that “Listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran also carries reward as does the reciting the Holy Quran” God says in chapter 7 verse 205, “And when the Quran is recited, give ear to it and keep silence, that you may be shown mercy”
It is the tradition of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that once he asked Ibn-e-Masood (May Allah be pleased with him) to recite the Holy Quran to him. He said O prophet of God, how can I recite the Holy Quran to you, the Holy Quran was revealed upon you. Upon this Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that I like to hear the recitation of the Holy Quran from others” (Riad-ul-Salheen No.1008)
Hazrat Abu Huraira(ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “those who gather in the houses of Allah to teach and learn the Holy Quran, contentment descend on such people and mercy of God cover them and angels of Allah spread their wings upon them and Allah mention them to those who are in his presence” (Riad-ul-Salheen No. 1023)
Therefore, we must recite the Holy Quran ourselves, encourage our families to recite and go to mosque with children and families to be the recipients of the blessings mentioned in the above hadith because “All the goodness is in the Holy Quran” Noah’s Ark.
Hazrat Masih-e-Mau’ood (ra) further said, “Leave aside all other books and recite the Holy Quran day and night, one is a great disbeliever who does not incline himself towards the Holy Quran and instead engages in other books day and night, At this time adopt the Holy Quran as the tool and benefit from it , you will be the victorious ” Al-Hakam Oct 17, 1900
Skipping fast without a legitimate excuse
Islam has five fundamental pillars, and fasting is one of them. Fasting is mandatory upon every adult man and woman. Its prescription was mandated in the year 2 (A.H) Although, fasting has been mentioned before the advent of Islam, it was prescribed in its complete form by Islam. The Holy Quran describes the purpose of fasting in the following words “so that you may become righteous” 2:184. Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “Fasting is a shield, no one should indulge in loose talk, intemperance, evil inclinations, if someone tries to create a discord or fight with, one should simply say I am fasting” Sahih Bukhari
Therefore, we must try our utmost to follow the commandments of Almighty Allah in regard to fasting despite many difficulties in order to fulfill commandments of Allah. If one ponders over these even the slightest, one will realize that all these commandments are for our own benefit. Now a day many people are mindful of their diet and avoid certain foods to remain healthy, science also corroborates the fact that eating less or fasting prevents many health-related issues. Our beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh) exhorted us 1500 years ago that “Keep fasting it will keep you healthy” Tohfatul Siam page 42
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) further said: “If someone skips fast without a genuine excuse, and later fasts for his entire life, that person will not get the same reward for the missed fast in the month of Ramadhan”, however, the sick, the one in journey, the children, the elderly, those who are unable to keep the fast, pregnant women, and suckling mothers are exempted till the conditions change and they are able to fast, at that time they should complete the missed fast.”
Ramadhan, Praying during the night, and Traveeh Prayers
During the month of Ramadhan, every good deed has a great reward, thus we must pray by staying up during the night and we should try saying the Tahujjud prayers. This is the time during the night when the Almighty Allah descends to the closest of the heavens and when a third of the night remains, Allah says “Is there anyone who calls upon me for help so that I can fulfil his prayers, is there anyone who wants forgiveness from me and I can forgive that person” Trimidhi Kitab-ud-Dawah.
It was also the tradition of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that he would say Tahujjud prayers after midnight. This is another Nafl prayer that Muslims have been bestowed by the Almighty God. “And wake up for it (the Qur’an) in the latter part of the night as a supererogatory service for thee” 17:80
In addition to that, Traveeh prayers are arranged across the Muslim communities and we can benefit by listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran during these prayers.
The real prayer is the prayer of Tahujjud, and for those who say their Traveeh prayers at night, they must try to wake up and say their Tahujjud prayers in the early morning even two Nafl prayer. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “I have established the tradition of praying during the nights of Ramadhan”. In the book of Bukhari, it is narrated that Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “If a believer prays to Almighty Allah, all of his previous sins are forgiven”. The Tahhujjid prayers are certainly superior in its rank and blessings. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) and the majority of his companions used to say the Tahujjud prayers on regular basis. The Holy Quran mentions this in these words. “When people are in deep asleep, these people (companions) separate themselves from their beds and engage themselves in the prayers and prostrations. These people pray to their Lord with fear and hope.”
Once someone asked Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Maulana Hakim Noorudin(ra) Sahib regarding the Traveeh prayers and he said: “In my view in the month of Ramadhan, there is injunction for fasting, secondly feeding the hungry and poor according to your capacity and thirdly teaching the Holy Quran and fourth trying to say your prayers with all the extra effort. There were three traditions among the companions of the Holy Prophet(pbuh) to establish Ramadhan. Some used to say twenty rika'at , some would say eight and some would simply say the Tahujjud prayers at home. The person then added that Holy Prophet has only said the Traveeh prayers at the mosque for three to four times and hence some people call it Innovation of Umer (ra), On this, Hazrat Maulna Hakeem Noorudin Sahib said, first of all even if the Holy Prophet(pbuh) has said the Traveeh prayers for one day only, it still becomes the tradition (sunnat) of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), secondly if we don’t do it, it doesn’t break the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)” Tohfa tuSiyam page 100-101
The world condition is changing with a rapid pace, clouds of the 3rd World War are hovering over us, the condition of the Muslim countries is deteriorating by the day and they are unable to recognize the situation. In the past, the wars used to be between the Muslims and the non-Muslims for the defense of Islam. Now a day, Muslims are fighting with other Muslims, killing each other, are thirsty of their Muslim brother’s blood and murdering them without any sympathy. In these conditions, only our prayers can save them. Only our prayers can save the world from the directions its heading. There seems to be no other path that can save them. Muslims has created conditions of their own destruction by conspiring against other Muslims and joining hands with non-Muslim countries. May Allah keep them safe and save them from all kinds of misfortunes. God Almighty has said “God never changes the condition of a nation that doesn’t change its own condition”
Time of acceptance of prayers during Ramadhan
God, the Gracious and Merciful always accept prayers, His Mercy has ever been expanding and one can knock at His door anytime, He always accepts prayers. He never tires of giving and accepting prayers. This becomes even more pronounced during the month of Ramadhan.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “The prayer of one who is with fast is never rejected at the time of the breaking of the fast” Sunan-Ibn-e-Maja selected Ahadith page 97
It is narrated by Hazrat Umer (ra) that Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “During the month of Ramadhan, one who engages oneself in the remembrance of Allah and asks from Allah is never rejected”. Therefore, no one should waste this time.
Ramadhan and Lail-tul-Qadr
In Ibn-e-Maja, Kitabusom, it is narrated by Hazrat Anas (ra) that when the month of Ramadhan would arrive, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) would say “This month has come to you during which there is a night that is better than thousand months whosoever couldn’t benefit from this night have deprived himself of goodness and no one can be deprived of its good except one who couldn’t benefit from it” Tohfatu-Siam
It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra) that she asked the Holy Prophet(pbuh) that if I have come to know the night of the Lailt-ul-Qadr, what prayers should I offer? The Holy Prophet (pbuh) then said, “say this prayer, O’ Allah you are forgiver, you love to forgive, therefore, forgive me” Sunan Trimidhi, Kitab-ud-Dawah 3513
Many people are delivered from fire during the time of Iftar. Hazrat Masih-e-Mauood (as) says, “Our Jama’at must pray to Allah at night, weeping and crying in front of Him as Allah has promised that ‘call Me and I will respond’”
Ramadhan and Remembrance of Allah
If we look at ourselves as for how we spend our time, we will soon realize that we spend most of our time eating, preparing the food, gossiping, and watching the internet, TV, social media or video games etc. We engross ourselves so much in these activities that we don’t even realize our own being. Time simply flies by and before we know it, many hours get wasted in these activities. We get so busy with these electronic devices these days that even in our own homes we don’t realize that our parents are there or even the presence of guests in our homes is not realized. There is nothing more valuable than time. A believer ought to spend one’s time after observing the fast in the remembrance of Allah, Darood and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
Hazrat Abu Hurraira (ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “Some of Allah’s angels go around in search of believers where remembrance of Allah is being done and when they find such a company, the angles sit among those people and they spread their wings over them and the whole environment is protected by coming under their wings, when the people leave, the angles also ascend towards the heavens. When God almighty asks the angels about this, although He is the All-Knowing, where are you coming from? The angels respond that they are coming from the men who were engaged in Allah’s remembrance, were busy in praising Allah, busy in Allah’s worship, and were seeking Allah’s forgiveness, hearing to this, the Allah almighty says that He has forgiven all of them and all of their prayers are heard and accepted, then the angels will say oh Allah, there was one individual who was passing by and sat among these people just as guest and he was not of good character, God Almighty says that He has forgiven him as well, as anyone sitting among the company of these people can’t be deprived of My mercy and blessings” Muslim, Kitabuzikr
During the month of Ramadhan, arrangements are made to teach and recite the Holy Quran at mosques. People coming to these gatherings and listening to the Holy Quran can benefit from the blessings that are mentioned in the above hadith.
Hazrat Musa Asha’ri narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “One who remembers Allah is like someone who is alive and one who doesn’t, is like someone who is dead”
Another companion of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) Abdullah bin Bushar narrates that Holy Prophet (pbuh) gave me the following advice. “Your tongue must always be busy in the remembrance of Allah”
It is narrated in Trimidhi by Hazrat Ibn-e-Masood that Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that during the night of ascension, he met Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ibrahim said to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) O’ Muhammad, say my Salam to your people and tell them the heavens soil is very fertile, its water is sweet and its all vacant and to plant a tree in its soil is to say these prayers “Holy is Allah, All praise belong to Him, There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is Great”
Once Hazrat Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (ra) who was the uncle of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) came to him and asked to teach him a prayer to beg from Allah. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said you should ask for protection of Allah” He came back a few days later and asked the same question, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that “you should always seek protection of Allah”
Sayings of the Imam of the Age
“It is narrated that once Holy Prophet (pbuh) stood up and cried and then addressed to the people, O’ people fear Allah as calamities are surrounding human being like ants, there is no way to save oneself from these except to engage oneself in the remembrance of Allah and seeking His forgiveness”
Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak and Almsgiving
One of the lessons that we learn from fasting is to sympathize with the poor and the needy and care for their needs. Look after the poor, the needy, the widow, the orphan and be mindful of their feelings as well.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is the role model for us in everything. There are countless incidents from the life of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) regarding charity, sympathy with the poor and care for the orphans.
Any time someone asked anything from the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he would never let them go empty-handed. Once a person came to Holy Prophet (pbuh) and he gave him the whole herd of goats. The person went back to his people and said to them that O’ People you should accept Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gives so much charity that he doesn’t have any fear of poverty. (TuhfatuSiam Page 157)
It is narrated by Hazrat Anas(ra) in the Trimidhi, that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “the best charity is the one that is done in the month of Ramadhan” He also said that during the month of Ramadhan, don’t spend like a miser but spend happily on yourself and God gives reward for that as well.
Hazrat Musleh Maou’d (ra) says “ The Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to give charity much more than before, but in the month of Ramadhan, his charity will be much more like a fast blowing wind, in fact this is one of the keys for the development of the nations that humans, benefit others with their own items and nations are destroyed when they start treating things as their own and that other have no right in that, the world system is based on the fact that my items be used by others and Ramadhan develops this spirit” (Tafseer-e-Kabir Sura Baqra 375-375)
It is evident from the examples of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that we should give charity during the month of Ramadhan much more than at other times, care for others, and the needy. There are some who when in need ask for it but there are others who don’t like to ask for help. To search for such people and helping them is an obligation for all of us.
In this regard, I would urge that ee must pay our Chanda’s according to the prescribed rate especially during the blessed month of Ramadhan. Regarding Ramadhan, another charity is the “Sadqa-tul-Fitr”. Sometimes members pay this on the day of the Eid. However, we must try to pay this as early as possible in the early part of the Ramadhan that is much better. Jama’at will be able to help the needy in a timely manner. In one of the Hadith, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “The charitable deeds and prayers get suspended between the earth and the heavens and it’s the Fitrana that take them to the heavens and it becomes the source for the acceptance of prayers”
The last ten days, Ietikaf and last Friday
It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra) when the last ten days of the month Ramadhan starts, he would get himself ready and make his nights alive and wake his families during these nights, his whole month be spent in the spiritual uplift, however the last ten days would become much more important in that regard. Holy Prophet(pbuh) also said that the beginning of Ramadhan is mercy, the middle is forgiveness and last saves from the fire.
Allah knows best how his prayers were during the last ten days. Thus, we all must see if there was any shortcoming left in the first and the middle part of the month and try our best to make up during the last ten days.
Another way of prayer during the last ten days is doing Itekaf. Whosoever gets the opportunity from the God Almighty, should do Itekaf. In one of the Hadith, the significance of Itikaf has been narrated in the following words, The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Who so ever observes Itekaf during the month of Ramadhan with all its conditions properly performed, will be rewarded equally to two Pilgrimage and two Umra”. In another tradition, it is narrated that one who reviews himself while he is a believer, and perform Ietkaf, all of his past sins will be forgiven”
Thus as many men and women who are able to get the opportunity should dedicate these ten days and perform the Itekaf”. “Ietkaf starts at the morning of the twentieth fast which can long for ten days or sometimes 11 days”
Keeping fast is mandatory for Itekaf. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said that one day of Itekaf will create a distance between the person doing Itekaf and the hell more than the distance between the east and west.
The Farewell Friday
There is no reference in regard to the Farewell Friday in any of the hadith, some people do as a matter of fact come to pay their goodbye to the Friday and the month of Ramadhan. As if it’s the last Friday of the month of Ramadhan and then rest of the year they will go back to their old routines. This sort of concept of the Farewell Friday is totally wrong. In the Holy Quran and in the Ahadith, the last Friday has the same significance as any other during the entire year. There is no particular significance of a Friday for being the last Friday of the month of Ramadhan. Few Ahdith from the Khutbat-e-Masroor are presented below:
It is narrated by Hazrat Jabir (ra) that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “Every person who believes in Allah and the day of judgment, it is obligatory on him to say the Friday prayers except for the sick, one who is traveling and the women, children and the slaves. One who doesn’t care for the Friday prayers due to his business, trade or other activities, the God Almighty will treat him with the same way, certainly Allah is All-praiseworthy ” (Sunan Dar Qutni Kitab ul-Juma)
2 – Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that the reward for good deeds is multiplied by manifold on Friday. (Khutbat-e-Masroor Vol 5 page 446)
3 -It is narrated by Hazrat Ibn-e-Abas that Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “Whosoever missed Friday prayers without a reason, his name will be written as a hypocrite which no one will be able to remove or change” (Majmauzawaid, vol 2 hadith#2999)
4 – Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said that anyone who missed three consecutive Friday prayers out of his laziness, Allah will put a seal on his heart. (Abu Daoud Kitabusalat)
And when He puts the seal on the heart, the capacity to do good deeds also decreases and slowly person completely stops doing the good deeds.
It is narrated by Hazrat Salman Farsi(ra), that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said “A person who bathes himself on Friday, adopts cleanliness and wear perfume for going to the Friday prayers, and do his prescribed prayers and listens to the Sermon delivered by the Imam quietly, all of his sins between that Friday and the next Friday will be pardoned ” ( Bukhari,KitabulJummah Hadith 935,Khtbat-e-Masroor, vol 5 page 444-445)
So it is incumbent upon the believer to obey and act upon these injunctions from Almighty Allah wholeheartedly that he will try to say every Friday prayer and be the recipient of Allah’s blessings and mercy that are associated with this day.
Note: People who engage themselves in the custom of Iftar parties at their homes and other venues, they also think that the Iftar of the last Friday carries much more blessings and reward. The Ahdith only state the blessings and reward for someone who arranges for the iftar. There is no special significance of iftar in relation to the last Friday. (Allah knows the best)
Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid of Fasting
Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion for the Muslims. Islam is a religion of nature and it does not prohibit enjoying and being happy and celebrating happy occasions if done appropriately, neither it promotes seclusion nor abandonment of everything.
The Muslim fasts for the whole month of Ramadhan for the sake of Allah and His happiness, at the conclusion of the month of Ramadhan they prostrate in front of their Lord in thankfulness and to show their happiness. On the blessed occasion of the Eid, it was the practice of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that he will make special arrangements for cleanliness, he would take a shower, brush his teeth, wear perfume and wear clean clothes , if new clothes were available, he would wear the new clothes, he would advise ladies and children to participate in the Eid prayers. So much so that women who didn’t have any legitimate excuse were asked to participate the prayers. They didn’t use to participate in the Eid Sala’at. Holy Prophet would eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the Eid prayers.
Holy Prophet (pbuh) arranged the following prayers for the day of Eid. “Allah is great, Allah is great, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, Allah is great, and All praise belongs to Allah”
It is also seen in various narrations that once the Holy Prophet (pbuh) led the Eid prayers and gave the Eid Sermon and then he would go towards the ladies. Hazrat Bilal (ra) was accompanying him, he then gave a sermon to ladies along with pieces of advice to them. He advised them to obey their husbands and give charity, upon listening to the advice from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) the ladies raised the slogan “Labaik” and started to give their jewelry” (Bukhari)
Hence if we want to celebrate the Eid that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) desired us to celebrate, if we want to celebrate the Eid that the companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) celebrated, then we have to populate the house of God on this day and not forget the habits of remembering Allah learned during the month of Ramadhan. We must try to fill the house of God during all daily prayers. If we want to celebrate the Eid the way the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and his companions celebrated, we must share happiness with the poor and we must give our best clothes and jewelry and best gifts to the poor. This is the real Eid which will benefit us forever. We can find God among the poor. Thus on this day the feasts of the rich and gifts should not stay within the circles of the rich but must reach the homes of the poor which will create tremendous happiness and will become a source of their savior.
God will be pleased with them and his beloved Prophet (pbuh) will be happy “ (Khutbat-e-Tahir)
May Allah grant us all the blessings of Ramadhan and all of our fast and prayers are accepted in the court of Almighty Allah (Ameen)
Note: In the writing and preparation of this essay Tafseer-e-Kabir, Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Trimidhi, Ibne-Maja, Riyad-ul-Salaiheen, Hadeeq-tul-Salaiheen, Malfoozat, Roohani Khazain TohaftuSiam, Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Khutbat-e-Masroor,Khutbat-e-Tahir have been consulted
Read original post here: Perspective: Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak – A Spiritual spring and ways to benefit from it | Syed Shamshad A. Nasir
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