Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the only two annual festivals recognised by the Shari’ah. Due to the current circumstances, Eid al-Fitr 2020 is going to be celebrated in lockdown, which may seem contrary to the spirit of Eid. However, this is not entirely the case. We can still keep the spirit of Eid alive!

Following are some acts we can adopt:

1. Engage in worship on the night of Eid

The night of Eid has been named in a Hadīth as the Night of Reward (Laylatul Ja’iza) and it was the practise of the Prophet ﷺ to remain awake during this night in order to spend it seeking reward.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘On the last night of Ramadhan the fasting Muslims are forgiven.’ The Companions رضي الله عنهم asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, is that the night of power?’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied, ‘No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his duty.’ (Ahmad)

On the night of Eid, one should make an effort of staying awake, and knowing that it is the end of the blessed month, and should ask for whatever one wants and seek forgiveness for one’s sins.

2. To awaken earlier than usual

Just because you’re in lockdown does not mean you sleep-in until Zuhr! Start your day early and begin. The morning is filled with blessings, the Prophet ﷺ prayed to Allah saying: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings”.

3. Make Ghusl

Putting in the extra effort in preparing ourselves for Eid should still hold the same importance, regardless of the lockdown.

Some of the scholars regarded it as mustahabb to do ghusl for the Eid prayer, because it is narrated that some of the salaf used to do this also.

4. Wear your best clothes (not necessarily new!)

Despite spending Eid at home don’t let that be the reason we spend the the day in sweat pants. Dressing up on Eid is a Sunnah whether anyone sees it or not.

“This adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid applies to the one who goes out to the prayer, the one who stays at home, and even women and children.”
[Fath al-Bari by Ibn Rajab]

5. Apply perfume / itr

Allah loves beauty and He loves to see His creation in the best form. The day of Eid is a day of celebration. Therefore, dress well and apply perfume, in fact – the best perfume you have!

Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Verily, Allah has made this day of Friday a celebration for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday prayer, let him bathe himself, apply perfume if he has it, and use the toothstick (miswak).”
[Sunan Ibn Majah 1098]

6. Pay Sadaqat ul-Fitr

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoined that Sadaqatul Fitr should be given before the people go out to pray.
[Nasa’i]

It is mandatory on 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 for earning their livelihood at least on that day of happiness.

During the lockdown period, we have been facilitated with many options of discharging Sadaqat ul-Fitr online, therefore source out an appropriate means and discharge it immediately.

7. Recite Takbir

Even though we are not going for the Eid prayer, we should still recite the Takbir as much as possible. Remember to do so softly, not disturbing anyone around us.

Perhaps you go on a walk with your family, recite and engage in Takbir – spark the spirit of Eid.

اَللهُ اَكْبَر، اَللهُ اَكْبَر، اَللهُ اَكْبَر، لآ إِلَٰهَ إلا الله، وَ اللهُ اَكْبَر، اَللهُ اَكْبَر، و للهِ الْحَمْد

8. Connect with loved ones

Although we cannot physically meet our family and friends, drop them a message or even give them a call. Even better, video call them!

9. Smile and display one’s happiness

Eid is a day of celebration and naturally we should be happy. Spread that happiness and smile since its also a Sunnah!

10. Eat dates or something sweet

It is an act of Sunnah to eat dates on the morning of Eid. Our Prophet ﷺ did not set out on the day of Eid until he had eaten dates. It has been reported that Nabi ﷺ used to eat an odd number of dates.

We pray you have a very happy and peaceful Eid. We pray Allah accepts all our fasts and ibadah done in the month of Ramadhan. Remember us in your du’as!

Eid Mubarak to you and yours from Siblings of Ilm!

Ramaḍān is indeed a month in which every soul yearns to connect with their Creator. As the Qur’ān states; ‘And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.’ These reminders aim to present a reminder in a graphical form which can be appreciated by all, followed by a short excerpt from a book relevant to the reminder in order to shed light.

Perhaps ‘love of knowledge’ is the most comprehensive description that characterises all truly successful people who seek it. This attribute —if planted within the heart of a student and allowed to take rest and settle —would cause the many obstacles he faces such as: disinterest, lack of time, different distractions and interruptions, etc — to crumble. For all of these issues stem from the same root, and it is the lack of true love of knowledge.

I graduated from the ʿalim program in 2006. I spent the first few years making all kinds of crazy mistakes. Although I’ve learned from my mistakes over time, I have noticed a trend. In general, a lot of ‘fresh graduates’ make the same mistakes as I did, or even worse mistakes. (Fresh graduate here includes anybody who recently graduated from any ʿalim program or BA in Islamic Studies)

By the grace of Allāh, we have been blessed with one of our most long-awaited holidays – the summer break! It’s been a long year, but alhamdulillah, we’ve all made it through, and for this, we need to express our gratitude to Allāh, for He tells us in the Qur’ān:

لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ

“If you are thankful, surely I will increase you”^[1]

Ramadhan is indeed a month in which every soul yearns to connect with their Creator. As the Qur’an states; ‘And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.’ These reminders aim to present a reminder in a graphical form which can be appreciated by all, followed by a short excerpt from a book relevant to the reminder in order to shed light.

This question is something that I’ve always wanted to find the answer to. Since starting my journey in learning the Quran and related sciences I’ve always been intrigued by the nature of the Quran and how this book was and is a way of life for Muslims throughout the years.

Allah Ta’ala mentions in Surah Kahf (18:66) in the story of Musa (‘alayhi ‘s-Salam) when he was instructed by Allah to go and learn from Khadir (‘alayhi ‘s-Salam)

قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا

Musa (‘alayhi ‘s-Salam) said to him (Khadir), “May I be your follower so that you can teach me a part of what you have been taught for (my) guidance?”

In this verse, Musa (‘alayhi ‘s-Salam) observes a multitude of etiquettes when seeking knowledge from Khadir (‘alayhi ‘s-Salam)

Adapted from Mawlānā ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm Chishtī’s إقرأ اور علّم بالقلم کے ثقافتی جلوے below are the book-borrower’s ethical responsibilities (as derived from the Qurʾān and Sunnah and enjoined in the Abbasid period).