Eiden Ka Bayan
Namaz e Eid Ka Tariqa
TAG: Eid
Marriage Between The Two Eids
THE Islamic approach is to regulate the satisfaction of the sexual urge in a way that allows it to operate within certain limits, neither suppressing nor giving it free rein. This is the stand of the revealed religions, which have instituted marriage and have prohibited fornication and adultery.
In particular, Islam duly recognizes the role of the sexual drive, facilitates its satisfaction through lawful marriage, and just as it strictly prohibits sex outside of marriage and even what is conducive to it, it also prohibits celibacy and the hatred of women. The claim that marriage between the two Eids, a period of time that extends for about 70 days, is prohibited has no religious backing. What is known in Islam is that there is no religious reservation against marriage in all months and on all days as marriage is best welcomed at all times because it is a religious observance and a Prophetic Sunnah. He who gets married has really completed half of his religion and guarded himself against temptation.
There is nothing in Islam that prohibits performing marriages at any time of the year. The only restrictions pertaining to consummating marriages are during certain times. For instance, it is not allowed to consummate a marriage while fasting, or while one is in a state of consecration or Ihram for performing Haj or Umrah. But as far as solemnizing marriages is concerned, there is no restriction to solemnizing them at any time of the year.
Despite the clear teachings of Islam on this issue, we find a lot of misconceptions prevailing among Muslims today. The source of such misconceptions can be traced to the pagan superstitions about bad omens that were prevalent before Islam. Unfortunately, such superstitions are still widely prevalent today.
However, in Islamic terms, the Prophet (peace be upon him) strongly opposed such superstitions and categorically declared: “There is no bad omen.” He taught us that only Allah has the power to bring benefit or inflict harm. He further encouraged us to have positive thoughts and use all our resources and then put our trust in Allah.
After Ramadan
The Holy month of Ramadan came like seasonal rain and passed by. This rain did not water the plants and crops -it showered upon the hearts of believers. It is sad, but true, that the hearts of the majority of Muslims are stricken with spiritual drought and spiritual decadence. It is a drought caused by excessive indulgence in un-Islamic activities, immoral behavior, unjust actions, unfair dealings, etc. Drought caused by lack of rain destroys crops -drought caused by lack of piety, lack of fear of Allah, and lack of Allah consciousness destroys the SPIRITUALITY of the heart.
Ramadan’s spiritual rains brought to life the Masaajid and other prayer places. Ramadan had fanned the dying spark of charity . Ramadan had awakened the dying spirit of tolerance, patience, and sympathy for the less fortunate.
Now that we come to the end of Ramadan the big question is what to do? Did we go through all the spiritual exercises in Ramadaan in order that we may have the freedom to indulge, on Eid day, in all types of immoral, shameless, and indecent amusement? Did we restrain ourselves from halaal food, drinks, and other pleasures from dawn to sunset throughout Ramadan, so that we may return with renewed vigor to gambling, drinking, adultery, and fornication? Will the spirit of tolerance, mercy, patience, charity, and sympathy be still evident, or will these noble qualities be shelved until the dawn of the next Ramadan?
Will the Masajids which were filled on most nights in Ramadan remain the same or will they become empty wondering where the faithful have gone? Our lifestyles after Ramadaan will show whether we used the month to bring about a total reformation within ourselves or are we going to waste the valuable opportunity?
The National and international position of the Muslim communities leaves much to be desired. Muslims are lamenting the loss of lives, destruction of property, oppression, tyranny, injustice, and a host of other problems all over the world. They are wondering why the promised help of Allah to the believers is nowhere in sight. Just one glance into the lifestyles of the overwhelming majority of Muslims is sufficient to answer the question. Millions of Muslims do not have much to their credit besides Muslim names.
Allah’s help comes with action and Islamic qualities -not with names or faces – Arabs or non-Arabs, African or European, Chinese or Indians. On the other hand, every group, organization, society, or individual who talks about Islam, seems to have got its own brand of Islam. The Islamic teachings which were left behind for us, crystal clear and pristine pure, have become so adulterated with foreign customs, alien practices, and un-Islamic ideologies, that a new Muslim has to make an effort to search for the Quran and Sunnah brand of Islam or remain confused and ignorant.
May Allah Ta’ala on the occasion of Eid give us the guidance to resolve that we shall make the Quran and Sunnah our guiding lights and practice Islam as much as possible. If the non-Muslim inhabitants of our country see Islam in the lives of Muslims, they will not require much persuasion to accept our beautiful deen.
Eid Ka Falsafa Aur Tareekhi PasManzar
Muhammad Muneeb ur Rehman
Shawwal: What To Do On Eid Night, Eid Day, And During The Month?
Beginning of the Ashur-ul-Hajj
Shawwal is the first of the three months named “Ashhur al-Hajj” (i.e. the months of Hajj). Although the major acts of Hajj are normally performed in the first ten days of Zulhijjah, the whole period starting from the first of Shawwal up to the 10th of Zulhijjah is held to be the period of Hajj because some acts of Hajj can be performed any time during this period. For example, the Tawaf-ul-qudum, followed by the Sai’ of Hajj cannot be performed before Shawwal, while it can be performed any day after the beginning of Shawwal. Similarly, an ‘Umrah performed before Shawwal cannot be treated as the ‘Umrah of Tamattu: while the ‘Umrah performed in Shawwal can be affiliated to the Hajj, making it a Hajj of Tamattu: Moreover, the ihram of Hajj should not be started before Shawwal, because it makruh. For these reasons these three months have been named the ‘months of Hajj’ and the month of Shawwal has the distinction of being the first of these.
Eid-ul-Fitr
The second meritorious aspect of Shawwal is that it has been chosen by Allah Almighty for the celebration of “Eid-ul-Fitr”, one of the only two annual festivals recognized by the Shari’ah. This happy day is designed by the Shari’ah as a sign of gratefulness by the Muslims for the accomplishment of Ramadan and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan fasting and performing other forms of ‘ibadah.
Instead of commemorating an event from the past, the Shari’ah has prescribed the first of Shawwal as an annual festival for the Muslims at an occasion when they themselves accomplish a great ‘ibadah. This approach reminds the Muslims that they should not rely only on the accomplishments of their ancestors, rather, they should themselves perform meritorious acts to please their Creator.
In prescribing the ways to celebrate a happy day, Islam has adopted another unique approach. The festivals of other religions or nations normally comprise some acts of rejoicing and enjoyment. The whole happy day is normally spent dancing, singing, and playing.
In contrast, Islam has prescribed a simple yet graceful way to observe a happy day. First of all, it is mandatory for all the well-off Muslims to start their day by paying “Sadaqat-ul-Fitr” to the poor of their society, so that they, too, may enjoy the day along with others, and may not be worried about earning their livelihood at least on that day of happiness.
After paying the “Sadaqat-ul-fitr”, the Muslims are required to proceed to an open place where they can offer the Eid prayer collectively. In this way, they are supposed to present themselves before their Creator and offer two rak’ats of this special type of Salah, which makes them receive blessings from Allah and start their celebration with these divine blessings.
After the Salah also, they are supposed to rejoice in the day in a responsible manner, without violating the limits prescribed for them and never indulging in the acts prohibited by Allah.
Keeping this point in view, we will now discuss specific rules prescribed for observing the day of Eid-ul-fitr.
The Night Preceding ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’
It had been the practice of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. This night has been named in a Hadith as the Night of Reward (Lailatul Jaiza). Almighty bestows his rewards on those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Shari’ah, and all their prayers on this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform nafl prayers on this night. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have said:
Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)
To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship on this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires.
Before Going to Eid Prayer
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 or a brush.
Khutbah: The Address of ‘Eid-ul-fitr
In this Salah, Khutbah is a Sunnah and is delivered after the Salah, unlike the Salah of Jumu’ah where it is Fard and is delivered before the Salah. However, listening to the Khutbah of ‘Eid Salah is wajib or necessary and must be heard in perfect peace and silence.
It is a sunnah that the Imam begins the first Khutba by reciting takbirs ‘Allahu Akbar’ nine times and the second Khutbah by reciting it seven times.
Six Fasts in the Month of Shawwal
It is commendable to keep six fasts in the month of Shawwal. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said:
Whoever completes the fasts of Ramadan then adds to them the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the thawab of fasting for the whole year. (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith had described the great thawab of six fasts of this month. Therefore, the Muslims should take this opportunity of acquiring such an enormous reward from Allah. It is preferable to start these fasts from the 2nd of Shawwal and keep fasting up to the 7th of it. However, if, they are kept on other days, it is hoped that the requirement of the above hadith may also be fulfilled.
Sadqa Fitr Ki Haqeeqt
Don’t Do’s For Eid
- Men “beautifying” themselves by shaving the beard. This is a thing that most Muslims do, even though shaving the beard is Haraam in the Religion of Allah, the Perfect and Free from all imperfections. This (ruling) is shown in authentic narrations that contain a command to leave the beard. The beard is also from the Fitra, and it is not permissible to change the Fitra. Textual proof regarding the forbiddance of shaving the beard is found in the books of the four schools of thought.
- Shaking hands of strange women – those that are not Mahram for a man. This is one of the widespread problems that we suffer from and none is saved from it except he whom Allah has favored. This act is prohibited (Haraam) because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “To pierce a metal comb into a man’s head is better for him than for him to touch a woman, for whom he is not a Mahram. ” (Silsilatul Ahadeeth As-Saheehah, no. 227) This ruling is also found in the books of the four schools of thoughts.
- Imitating the non-believers and Westerners in their clothing, in listening to music and other reprehensible acts. Indeed the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whosoever imitates a people then he is from them. ” (Ahmad) Also, because of the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “There will be a group of people from my Ummah who will seek to make fornication, the wearing of silk, intoxicants and musical instruments permissible (Halaal). Indeed a people will stay at the side of a mountain peak and when he – i.e. a needy person comes to them in the evening asking them for aid, they will say to him, ‘Come back tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them and cause the mountain to fall upon them and change others into apes and swine and they will remain like that until the Day of Judgement.” (Abu Dawood and Al-Baihaqee)
- Tabarruj (open display of beauty) by women. This is prohibited in the Laws of Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him): “I have not seen two types of people from the people of the Fire: … women that are clothed but at the same time naked and are (deviated away from the obedience of Allah). Their heads are like tilted camels’ humps. These women will not enter paradise and neither will they smell its aroma; even though its aroma can be smelt from a distance of so and so.” (Saheeh Muslim)
- Being extravagant in spending. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The son of Adam will not cease to be in front of his Lord on the Day of Judgement until he is asked about his…. wealth and where he gained it from and how he spent it.” (Tirmidhi)
- Abandoning prayer in the mosque by many people, without a valid excuse. Some people do not pray at all except the Eid prayers. By Allah, this is a great sin.
- Not having any compassion for the poor and the needy. The rich display their joy and happiness, eat appetizing food in front of the poor and their children, without having any sympathy to help. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother that which he wishes for himself ” (Al-Bukhari)
Eid ul-Fitr Aur Eid Al-Adha
Celebrating Eid, The Sunnah Way
The time for celebration is here. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid.” (Al-Bukhari)
Here are some of the Sunnah acts of Eid:
Doing Ghusl before going out to the prayer
It was narrated in a Saheeh Hadeeth in Al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that Abdullah Bin Umar used to do Ghusl on the day of Al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. (Al-Muwatta’ 428)
Al-Nawawi said Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is Mustahabb (recommended) to do Ghusl for Eid prayer.
Eating after the prayer on Eid Al-Adha
On Eid Al-Adha it is recommended not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so as to eat from the sacrifice if he has offered one. If he is not offering a sacrifice then there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.
As for Eid Al-Fitr, it is recommended to eat some dates before going to the prayer.
Takbeer on the day of Eid
This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid.
Al-Daraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, Ibn Umar would be excessively engaged in reciting Takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite Takbeer until the Imam came out.
Saying Takbeer when coming out of one’s house to the prayer place and until the Imam came out was something that was well known among the early generations. This has been narrated by a number of scholars.
In the case of Eid Al-Adha, the Takbeer begins on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of Tashreeq.
Description of Takbeer
It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with an authentic chain from Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to recite the following Takbeer during the days of Tashreeq:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaha illAllah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaahil-Hamd
Meaning: Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise.
Al-Mahamili also narrated the following with an authentic chain from Ibn Mas’ood:
“Allahu Akbar Kabeera, Allahu Akbar Kabeera, Allahu Akbar Wa Ajall, Allahu Akbar Wa Lillaahil-Hamd.” (Al-Irwa’, 3/126)
Greeting each other
The etiquette of Eid also includes congratulating and exchanging good wishes by people, with any permissible expressions of congratulations.
Jubayr Ibn Nufayr said when the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, “Taqabbal Allah Minna Wa Minkum,” which means, “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” (Al-Fath, 2/446)
Adorning oneself on Eid
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. (Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756) Al-Bayhaqi narrated with an authentic chain that Ibn Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.
Choosing different routes
Jabir Ibn Abdullah narrated that on the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to vary his route. (Al-Bukhari, 986)
This was done so that the two routes would bear witness for him on the Day of Resurrection, as the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.
And also to manifest the symbols of Islam on both routes, or to manifest the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), or to cast fear in the hearts of the hypocrites and Jews, and to overwhelm them with a large number of people with him. Another reason was so that he could attend to people’s needs, answer their questions, set an example, give charity, or visit his relatives.