Bismillahi rahmani rahim

Assalam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatu 

Rabia Awwal Mubaarak! It is the third month of the Hijri Calendar which in many Muslims celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon) believing it to have occurred on the 12th of this month. However, the truth is that his actual date of birth is unknown just as the date of birth of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is unknown. Furthermore, its celebration is an innovation in Islamic worship as it was not instructed by the Prophet nor was it done by his companions. Even the celebration of birthdays in general is not permissible because of its pagan roots. As a result even the early Christians did not celebrate Christ’s birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.

The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? Was it reported that ‘Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or ‘Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that ‘Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.

Did any of the Imams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi’i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” [Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi].

The celebration of the Prophet’s birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread. This celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the Imams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?! What the Qur’aan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. 

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say: ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32] 

The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) brought. The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allah and His Messenger. Hence Allah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allah to keep us safe from that. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought. The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).

So instead, let us apply the lessons learned from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and increase our efforts to spread the true religion of Allah in this month, while keeping alive the Ramadhan lessons of making fasting truly a way of life by also fasting Monday's and Thursday's of every week, and 13th, 14th and 15th according to the recommendations of Rasul. It is worth noting that when the Prophet was asked why he fasted Monday's,  he replied that it was the day on which he was born!! So, for those bent on commemorating the Prophet's birth, let them do as he did and FAST EVERY MONDAY!! 

We ask Allaah to protect us from bid’ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

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Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatu

The first thing that comes to mind on the mention of Eid, well in my case is fireworks (I like fireworks), my new clothes that observe the code of Hijab, how I'll be all dolled upo make up if I'll be out and in places where strange men may be, food (just enough) and all the money I plan to give to my sibling and cousins In Sha Allah. 

Then there is the how-you-can have a great Eid day under the Islamic Shariah. It is a festive day, a three day holiday actually that falls on the 1st of Shawaal that's the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Though I find kids to be more excited about Eid than any individual because it's time for new, sparkly but decent outfits, receiving gifts and money. Kids just love money (spending it on sweets and all the junk they can get their hands on). And it's lovely how they quite understand the one side of it about togetherness and having fun in parks or fun fairs and eating out. Masha Allah may Allah instil Imaan in them. 

Family, friends and neighbours too. Even the non-muslims feel the mood of eid but most importantly Ibaadah. We, I found myself in a situation some time back, were we sleep through Fajr. It's still an obligatory Salah, don't miss it!! Then we have saying the Takbir right from when you know it's the night of Eid till when the imam arrives at the masjid and after at times. There is the eid prayer which is mandatory for every male Muslim, and since it will be a large gathering be sure to have a bath, take your time to be neat and clean it's Sunnah anyway and it is one of the manners of eid to take a bath before going out to the prayer. It is reported in a Saheeh report in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to take a bath on the day of al-Fitr before coming to the prayer-place. [al-Muwatta’ 428] Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that the scholars agreed that it is mustahabb (recommended) to take a bath before the Eid prayer. The reason why it is recommended to take a bath before Friday prayer and other public gatherings also applies in the case of Eid, only more so.

Don't forget to pay your Zakah on time, if you don't know the potion visit your Imam in your masjid for guidance. Do it early. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enjoined that it should be paid before the Eid prayer. It is permissible to pay it one or two days before that, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) which was narrated by al-Bukhaari: “They used to give it one or two days before (Eid) al-Fitr.” If it is paid after the Eid prayer, it does not count as Sadaqat al-Fitr, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas: “Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is Zakaat al-Fitr, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.” It is haraam to delay Zakaat al-Fitr until after the Eid prayer. If one delays it with no excuse then it is not acceptable zakaah, but if there is an excuse – such as if a person is traveling and does not have anything to give or anyone to give it to, or he is expecting his family to pay it and they are expecting him to pay it, then in this case he should pay it when it is easy for him to do so, even if that is after the prayer, and there is no sin on him because he has an excuse.

The Eid-ul-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadhan. And so... 

...It is haraam to fast on the days of eid because of the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade fasting on the day of Fitr and the day of Sacrifice (Adhaa). [Reported by Muslim, 827] It is a day of feasting, appreciating and thanking Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala.

And my best part, second best, looking good. ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Umar picked up a jubbah (long outer garment) made of silk that was for sale in the market, brought it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, buy this and wear it for eid and when the delegations come.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “This is the clothing of the one who has no share of the Hereafter…” [Reported by al-Bukhaari, 948]

 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) approved of ‘Umar’s idea of looking one’s best, but he rejected and denounced the idea of buying this jubbah because it was made of silk. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had a jubbah that he would wear on eid and on Fridays.” [Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1765] Al-Bayhaqi reported that Ibn Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid, so men should wear the best clothes they have when they go out for eid. This is for men. With regard to women, they should not wear beautiful clothes when they go out to the eid prayer-place, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Let them go out looking decent” i.e., in regular clothes that are not fancy. It is haraam for them to go out wearing perfume and makeup.

Since it is the day of feasting and no fasting should be done, in the morning have a date or three. Something light for breakfast then head out for Salah and Takbir. It is recommended according to most scholars to come out to the prayer-place on eid ul-fitr before eating some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not go out on the morning of eid al-fitr until he had eaten some dates…and he would eat an odd number.” [Al-Bukhaari, 953]

It is mustahabb to eat before coming out because this confirms that we are not allowed to fast on this day, and demonstrates that the fast of the Holy month is now over. Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that this is to prevent people extending the fast and it also means obeying the commandment of Allah. [Fath, 2/446]. If a person does not have any dates, he can eat anything permissible for breakfast.

The Takbir, it just feels so great cleansing our hearts Subhana Allah. At the end of Ramadhan Allaah has prescribed that His slaves should recite takbeer. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185] “that you must magnify Allah ” means venerating Him in your hearts and on your lips, by pronouncing the takbeer. So you should say: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah). Or you can say Allahu akbar three times, so you say: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great , Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah). Both are permissible.

This takbeer is Sunnah according to the majority of scholars. It is Sunnah for both men and woman, in the mosque, in the home and in the marketplace. Men should say it out loud, and women should say it quietly, because women are commanded to lower their voices. 

Therefore say the Takbir aloud whilst going to the prayer for men. Al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: “I asked al-Awzaa’i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbir aloud on eid. They said, ‘Yes, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to say it aloud on the day of Fitr until the Imaam came out.’” Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Salami said: “On eid al-Fitr they would say it louder than on eid al-Adhaa.” Wakee’ said, “i.e., the takbir.” (Irwaa’, 3/122). Al-Daaraqutni and others reported that when Ibn ‘Umar came out on eid al-fitr and eid al-Adhaa, he would strive hard in making Takbir until he reached the prayer-place, then he would continue making Takbir until the Imaam came. The time for this takbir begins when the sun sets on the night of Eid (i.e., the night before) if it is known that the new month has begun when the sun sets, such as when the people have completed thirty days of Ramadhan, or when it is proven that the new moon of Shawwaal has been sighted. And it ends when the prayer begins, i.e., when they start the Eid prayer then the time for the takbir ends.

After the Salah, do you adhkaar then listen to the khutbah. Don't rushing home or to whatever place you planned to have some 'proper' breakfast. Ibn ‘Umar narrated “that Rasul of Allah (peace and easing of Allah be upon him) then Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them) would pray the two eids before the khutba.” It is recommended that one gives the sermon while on the minbar, due to what Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated and said: “I attended Adha with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so when he finished his khutba he descended from his minbar.” And due to what was narrated from Abu Said (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “The Prophet would go out on the day of Fitr and Adha to the musalla and the first thing he would begin with was the prayer. Then he would move to stand facing the people, and the people were sitting in their rows. He would exhort, advise and command them and if he wished to allot an expedition or to command something, he would command it, then he turns away.”

After the khutbah it's best to use another route other than the first route used. It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to vary his route. [Al-Bukhaari, 986] It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad. And it was said that it was in order to manifest the symbols of Islam on both routes, or to manifest the remembrance of Allaah (dhikr), or to annoy the hypocrites and Jews, and to scare them with the large number of people who were with him. And it was said that it was in order to attend to the people’s needs, to answer their questions, teach them, set an example and give charity to the needy, or to visit his relatives and uphold the ties of kinship.

Eid Mubarak!! People may exchange congratulations and good greetings on Eid, no matter what form the words take. For example they may say to one another, “Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minkum (May Allah accept [the fast and worship] from us and from you” or the commonly used “Eid mubarak” and other similar permissible greetings. Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when people met one another on the day of Eid, they would say, ‘Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minka (May Allah accept from us and from you).’” [Ibn Hajar. Its isnaad is hasan. Fath, 2/446]

The practice of exchanging greetings was well-known at the time of the Sahaabah and scholars and there are reports which indicate that it is permissible to congratulate people on special occasions. There is evidence which suggests that it is prescribed to offer congratulations and good wishes on special occasions, and that the Sahaabah congratulated one another when good things happened, such as when Allaah accepted the repentance of a man, they went and congratulated him for that, and so on. Undoubtedly these congratulations are among the noble characteristics among the Muslims.

Give charity, visit the sick and pray with and for them, thank Allah every step and remember Him, there is an endless list on what to do to please Allah on this day. As we dive into this blessed day keep in mind not to waste food. If you have a lot of food in the house it is best to give it to others, share it. Don't be involved in any form of Israf (wastage) and exceeding involving all varieties of cuisines. 

And lastly our eid cannot be truly joyous. As we celebrate, many of our brothers and sisters around the world are suffering, we pray that Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala grant them ease and more Imaan in their hearts and grant us an eid that will be under the shade of the rule of the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet.

🌸 Eid Mubarak 🌸

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

The yearly globalized celebration of love with its ritual circulation of greeting cards, flowers, exalting the color red and exchanging presents in honour and respect for free love is completely against Islamic teachings. Its prohibition is not merely because of its 4th festival held in honour of the Roman god Lupercus, in whose honour an annual lottery on the 13-15 of February was held to distribute young women among young men for "entertainment and pleasure," although this fact alone is enough to prohibit it. Nor is it because of its Christian adaptation in honour of St.Valentine, worshiped by Catholics as the lover’s saint, although this concept of shirk alone is also sufficient to make it forbidden. Nor is it due to the use of pagan symbols of Cupid, the Roman god of desire erotic love and affection, portrayed as a little boy with a bow, whose arrows pierce hearts and overwhelms them with uncontrollable desire, no!!. It is primarily forbidden because it promotes and glorifies sexual abandon and licentiousness in the name of the divinely granted emotional gift of love.

Love in the Islamic context is expressed in a balanced way, beginning with the love for Allah which is not to be compared to anything or anyone. Love for our parents, love for our families and friends and love for society, each having its own rights and duties. This moderate view puts love in its proper context, benefiting everyone all year long and not just confined to a commercialized crazy day of ritualized romantic chaos in the name of love.

In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for personal opinion because they have been prescribed for us by Allah and His Messenger. Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allah says in Surah Al-Hajj (Q22:67), "To every people We have appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but you do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way." And since valentine's day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet said: "Every nation has its ‘Eed " (Bukhari and Muslim) - then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. Celebrating valentine's day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was not part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that really are part of their religion - but not part of our religion - then how about things which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idolaters? It is Haraam (prohibited), whether that imitation is of their worship - which is the most serious form - or of their customs and behavior. This is indicated by the Quran, Sunnah and Ijmaa' (unanimous consensus of scholars) and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them. " (Abu Dawood).

The love referred to in this festival results to the spread of fornication, immorality and the forming of forbidden relationships. Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love to people to express to.  It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love and it is more nonsensical to celebrate in on just one day per year.

The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses his love for his wife at all time and on all occasions every single day.

And Allah knows best.