Celebrating Eid and its virtues

Alhamdulillah, Allah (SWT) has blessed us to see this glorious day once again, but do we really reflect on the blessing that this day holds?

Every moment of Ramadhan is precious. We must occupy ourselves in worship every moment and every moment every deed has mass reward.

Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said that: “Every deed that the son of Adam does will be multiplied tenfold to seven hundred fold and a reward given accordingly. But Allah has said that fasting is an exception because it is observed for His sake and He will reward for it. A man gives up his passion and his food for His sake”. (Bukhari and Muslim).
It is also a very well known fact that the last 10 days are more precious as one of these nights is the Night of Power (Layla-tul-Qadr). As Allah states in the Holy Quran “The night of power is better then a thousand months”. (chapter 97: verse 4).

Here we can see how Allah (SWT) has given us numerous opportunities to occupy ourselves in worship and gain the most benefit in just 10 days. Does this not make us think that the last night of this blessed month will also be one in which we could attain Allah’s Pardon? And that if we immerse ourselves in worship we can benefit even in the last moments of Ramadhan? Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) has said that his Ummah will be forgiven on the last night of Ramadhan. He SAW was asked if he meant Layla-tul-Qadr and He SAW said “No!” (This is the excellence of the last night, the virtues of Layla-tul-Qadr are apart) the point being a worker is rewarded when he finishes his work (Mishkat).

The night preceding the Eid therefore must also be spent in worship and dhikr. The Holy Prophet SAW states:

“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).

From this we can see that there are still rewards to be reaped in the night preceding Eid ul Fitr.

The holy month has come to an end for most of us and Insha’Allah it will be a new beginning and/or a fresh start. Its human nature for people to feel proud and satisfied on the accomplishment of hard work. Brothers and sisters Alhamdulillah most of us have spent this month cautiously making sure we pray our 5 daily and that they are on time, being careful not to nullify the fast, watching our tongues, being vigilant on what we listen to etc. Why is it when we put in so much effort into one month trying to please our creator, come the night before Eid we decide to throw all our efforts away and return to our laid back casual selves? Is it because we don’t materialistically see our rewards? We are all humans and it is natural to find Godly deeds a struggle but it’s about trying to reflect on the past month. Even if it requires taking one thing away from the month and trying to maintain it over the year, it’s a start!

Above all people enjoy the day feel free to eat when you begin to get peckish, pray your Eid Salah, just don’t waste the day doing things that may make you feel like you will have wasted the month of Ramadan. Spend it with family and friends, dress up, have a laugh and a joke (the Halal way of course!), organise a meal with mates, but please stay away from rioting, getting drunk, taking drugs and going to Wilmslow road, because this isn’t what Eid is about.