In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. O Muhammad, surely We have granted you the Kauthar (countless blessings) Plenty; Therefore, offer Salah (prayer) to your Lord and sacrifice; Surely your enemy is the one who will be cut off from the root.'- (Quran 108:1-3)'Every nation has a festival; our festivals are id al-fitr and id l-Adha.' Prophet Muhammad.THE word 'Id, in Arabic, means that which recurs or returns. Technically it refers to the celebration of the end of the month long fasting of Ramadan. It is a celebration of the completion of the month-long training in the 'school of Ramadan' where Moslems 'attended courses' in patience, perseverance and honesty.The 'Id al-Fitr is the occasion during which Moslems are expected to bask in an uncommon happiness particularly for their ability to connect with the Almighty Allah and especially at a time when profanity and bestiality have become fashionable.The Id al-Fitr is therefore like the day of graduation from the spiritual school of Ramadan- a school in which Moslems, unlike before, have become revived in their trust in Allah, we would go to the praying grounds on the 'Id with the firm assurance that we have re-connected with Allah, that under no circumstance shall we allow earthly principalities to pollute our souls, never again shall we allow our prosperity to demean our spirituality, never again shall we allow adversity to purblind us to the greater responsibility of walking with Allah in the wilderness of this terrestrial life.However, it is important for us to note that our 'graduation' from Ramadan is like our arrival to a station, which is, in itself, the beginning of another journey.In other words, the whole essence of life and living for the conscious Moslem is all about arrival and departure, we arrive from a religious duty in order to depart for another one. The onset of the Id al-Fitr, like it is for Id al-Adha, implies the undertaking of series of religious duties.Moslem festivals are, therefore, not ends in themselves but means to more hallowed spiritual-social ends. Each time Moslems prostrate in obeisance to Allah, they are expected to rise in order that they might rescue humanity from the complexity of maladies confronting the latter.Thus, as we count down to the 'Id al-fitr, prepare to observe the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Plan to wake up very early in the morning, observe the Tahajud (do not let this virtue slip away from your schedules after Ramadan), and in keeping with the Sunnah, take a bath before Fajr prayers and put on new clothes (or the best available).It is Sunnah for men to use perfume, not only on Id days, but always. It is not allowed for Moslems to fast on this day. Take a light breakfast before setting out to the praying ground.Again, do not forget that it is in the tradition of the Prophet that we give out Sadaqat-ul-fitr preferably before the Id prayers are observed. It is usually paid for and on behalf of all Moslems in a household, the young and the old. It may be paid in kind and this may feature three to four seers of wheat, barley, rice or any staple food. (Sahih Bukhari 24:70).Of recent, Moslems scholars have addressed the necessity of monetising this act of worship based on existential necessities. In the University of Ibadan central mosque, for example, the Imam usually announces a certain amount of money to be paid by individuals in lieu of giving sadaqat al-Fitr out in kind.This falls on under the legal rubric- maslahat al-Ammah- the promotion of the public convenience. Whether it is given out in cash or in kind, the more important issue is the intention behind the act. Our intention should be the extension of the happiness of the occasion to our brethren who are experiencing adversity. We should desire for our brothers and sisters the same quality of life the like of which Allah has been kind to grant unto us.But how shall we go about doing this duty' It is better we give out our sadaqat al-Fitr to our imams who would and should, following Quran 9 verse 60, distribute same among the eight categories of people, who qualify to receive Zakat. Brethren, our acts of generosity stand better acceptance when they are given incognito; when we give, like Ali ibn Abi Talib, in expectation of no appreciation. We should cultivate the habit of giving, in line with the Prophet's advise, in such a way that our left hand would not know what our right-hand has handed out.Brethren, set out early for the 'Id prayer ground. While going there in your car, stop on the way to offer seats in your car to your brethren, who might be going there on foot. Do not wait to be asked before you offer such assistance. Again this is highly virtuous.On the way to the 'Id praying ground, engage in much glorification of Allah. In low voice, say, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha ilal-lahu wal-Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa-lilla hil hamd.'Id prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. There is usually no Adhan (call to prayer) or Iqamah (call) for the prayers because they are nawafil - superogatory prayers. It consists of only two raka''t (units of prayer) with an additional six Takbirs.The 'Id prayer is usually followed by the khutbah (sermon) ' this order may be reversed based on necessity- and then a dua, supplication asking for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living beings across the world. The khutbah is also meant to remind Moslems of their responsibilities to Allah after the glorious month of Ramadan.Listening to the khutbah, sermon of 'Id is a necessary requirement (wajib). Thus it is not proper, as is usually the case, for you to leave the prayer ground while the khutbah is being delivered. It is equally forbidden to talk, walk about or offer prayer while the sermon is being delivered.Brethren as we begin to count down to the end of this years' fasting, and as we begin plans for the 'Id al-Fitr, it is important that we constantly keep the virtues that the month has come to inculcate in us under focus. Have more empathy for the poor.Let us sustain the acts of worship, which we engaged in during the month. Steadfastness, patience and perseverance should remain our watchwords.Ramadan came to call our attention to the power of the spiritual realm, it came to take us away from concerns for the ephemeral for that which is eternal. Ramadan came to teach us that our salvation here on earth and in the hereafter lies in how steady we are in focusing on Allah, how grateful we are for His blessings, and how patient shall we continue to be when, as is occasionally the case, the tide of time becomes turbulent and troublesome.Another Sunnah of our leader Prophet Muhammad is that once the 'Id prayer is concluded, we should take another route on our way back to our various homes. Always prefer that route that will lead you to your salvation.(guardianfridayworship@gmail.com)
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