‘Eed: An Occasion for Worship and Showing Gratitude - II

We would like also to draw your attention to some violations that unfortunately take place on the day and night of ‘Eed. It is astonishing to see some Muslims concluding their worship with sins, while others replace the Istighfaar (asking for forgiveness) that should be made following any good deed with frivolity.

These violations include the following:

1-   Collective Takbeer whether in one voice or by repeating after someone who says “Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is the Most Great)”, or inventing new wordings of Takbeer.

2-   Believing in the lawfulness and particular merit of performing night prayer on the ‘Eed night by citing unauthentic Hadeeths.

3-   Visiting the graves and greeting the dead on the ‘Eed day in particular.

4-   Intermixing between men and women in some places of prayer or in the streets or parks.

5-   Some people gather on the occasion of ‘Eed to listen to singing and prohibited entertainment, which is absolutely impermissible.

6-    Some people show happiness on ‘Eed, because the month of Ramadhaan has ended, relieving them of worship. This gives the impression that he considers worship to be a heavy burden, and this is very dangerous.

7-   Going beyond extremes in lawful things, including food and drink, until one becomes extravagant. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {….eat and drink, and do not be extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.} [Quran 7:31]

 

Do not forget that the Lord of Ramadhaan is the Lord of all months. Hence, you should continue performing acts of worship and ask Allaah The Almighty to make you hold steadfast to this religion until you meet Him. You should know that ‘Eed does not announce the end of the time of worship as some people might believe; rather, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).}[Quran 15:99]

One of the righteous predecessors said, “The Muslim’s work has no end but death.”

Al-Hasan  said, “Some people do not persist in worship… I swear by Allaah that the one who does good deeds only for one month or two or one year or two is not a true believer, as Allaah The Almighty stated that the believer’s work ends only with death.”

Once, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  read the following verse on the pulpit: {Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allaah” and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised}[Quran 41: 30], and then commented, “They remained on the right course without swerving like foxes.”

Indeed, we bade farewell to the month of worship, obedience and emancipation from Hell; however, Allaah The Almighty has legislated for us many other seasons for voluntary acts of worship that pacify the soul of the believer throughout the whole year. Here are some of these blessed occasions:

1-   Fasting six days of Shawwaal: Abu Ayyoob Al-Ansaari  narrated that the Prophet, , said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted the whole year.” [Muslim]

However, you should first make up for the missed days of fasting of Ramadhaan, if any.

2-   Fasting during the White Days, the Day of ‘Arafah (for the non-pilgrims), in addition to Mondays and Thursdays.

3-   Performing the night prayer and observing the Witr Prayer. Imitate the righteous people: {They used to sleep but little of the night.}[Quran 51:17]

4-   Observing the confirmed Sunnah prayers (twelve Rak’ahs) which are connected to the obligatory daily prayers (four Rak’ahs before the Thuhr prayer and two after it, two after the Maghrib prayer, two after the ‘Ishaa’ prayer and two before the Fajr prayer.)

5-   Reading the Quran daily, even if it is just one Juz’ (portion).

6-   Be keen on doing good deeds and hold steadfast to worship, as Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allaah ], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is seeing of what you do.}[Quran 11:112]

7-   Supplicate your Lord humbly to make you live and die as a Muslim, and ask Him to make you hold steadfast to Islam and the word of Tawheed. The Prophet, , used to supplicate, saying: “Ya muqallibal-qulubi, thabbit qalbi `ala deenik (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).” [At-Tirmithi]

There are countless forms of acts of worship and greatly rewarded good deeds, just as there are countless occasions for performing them. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.}[Quran 16:97]

Hence, one should persist in performing good deeds regularly and beware of being taken by death unawares or while you are committing a sin. Recall the fact that one of the signs of acceptance of your good deeds during this blessed month is to persist in worship after it. That is because a good deed usually leads to other good deeds, and vice versa.

The days of ‘Eed are not days of heedlessness and negligence; rather, they are days of worship and gratitude. The believer moves from an act of worship to another, knowing no limits.

The good deeds that Allaah The Almighty loves include maintaining ties of kinship, visiting relatives, getting rid of hatred and envy, kindness to the poor and orphans, as well as bringing joy to widows and the needy.

Contemplate the cycle of days and how they lapse quickly; repent to Allaah The Almighty and seek refuge with Him.

Accustom yourself to worship and persist in it, as the days of this life are very few.

You should know that the believer will not know true rest and happiness until he enters Paradise.

Hence, hasten to a garden that is as wide as the heavens and the earth and protect yourself against a fire, which is blazing where none except the most wretched will be punished.

Act upon the Hadeeth in which the Prophet, , said: “Stand firm, do your best but do not exaggerate, be of good cheer and know that none of you will enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone. The most beloved of deeds to Allaah is that which is continuous, even if it is little.” [Al-Bukhaari]