'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2024

 

Eid-ul-Fitr, its Traditions & The Steps forward to Allah

EID-UL-FITR, a day of rejoicing, celebration, visits to relatives and neighbours is among us again. On this blessed day, not only adults are happy but children are also enthusiastic in their beautiful ornaments specially made or purchased for Eid. They are excited to meet their friends and close relatives and receive their gift today: Eiddi - a tradition that is still maintained among Muslim families. Beforehand, there is the major cleaning of the house, the changing of the curtains, and the purchase of various ingredients to prepare the traditional Eid lunch, especially in the Mauritian context, the Briani. As it is mentioned in the collection of Hadiths by Imam Bukhari: “And on this day one must be joyful, share his meal and his time with the family.”

 

This is legitimate because after having fasted during the month of Ramadan for the Pleasure of Allah, our Creator, He offers us – to us, Muslims – this gift. It is a gift He gave us with the advent of His beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and the command to fast the month of Ramadan.

Celebrating ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ 2024

 

With the sighting of the crescent moon on the skies of the Kerala coast on the evening of 09 April 2024, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam members in India celebrated ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ with special prayers and feasting and festivities on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

Brothers and sisters and children of the Jamaat mainly congregated at the mosques of the community for Eid special prayers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

With many members of the Jamaat observing I’tikaaf in the last ten days of the fasting month of Ramadan at the Sirajum Munir Masjid in Tamil Nadu, and also at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra in Kerala; the mosques became the natural venues for the members celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid prayers were also conducted in other places in both the States, and also outside of these two States where members live, bringing alive the Qur’anic command to turn ‘places of living’ into virtual mosques for the pure devotion and worship of Allah (swt). 

Ramadan 2024: Public Message

 

Ramadan, Layla-tul-Qadr & Eid-ul-Fitr: 

The Blessings of A Lifetime

Muslims all round the world are commanded by God Almighty to fast the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is such a blessed month wherein the very first verses of the Holy Quran – the Holy words of Allah – were revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) through the Chief of all angels, Jibreel (Gabriel). Those first revelations have the power even today to make the true believer tremble with awe and love. Its very evocation brings about solace and happiness for the believer at the divine boon received in that blessed moment in time.

Twenty-nine or thirty days of blessings: yet, those days hold therein a concealed night, wrapped in the mystery of divine knowledge, to deliver to those who successfully attain and receive it, the blessings of a lifetime. The Night of Decree (Layla-tul-Qadr) as this night is called is like the most precious of pearls, more precious than any treasure in this world. It is the gateway to such divine blessings which can erase a sincere person’s sins and make him pure like a newborn babe.

The Petals of Ramadan

  

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the holy month - Ramadan - is here among us since a few days. Today is the 11^th day of this blessed month. Ramadan is such a powerful name that when its name is evoked - remembered - the heart finds its tranquillity. This sacred month par excellence, by its very presence brings contentment in the life of every sincere believer. This month really becomes a moment of exceptional fervour for each of them.

 

The month of Ramadan, metaphorically speaking, is a flower whose petals evoke the Divine Beauty, His (Allah’s) wisdom as well as His mercy towards the believers.

Celebrating 'Eid-ul-Fitr' 2023

 

Alhamdulillah, the fasting month of Ramadan this year, by the immense grace and favours of Allah (swt), turned out to be an exceptional time for devotees of Allah in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International:  very many signs of Divine pleasure and satisfaction, and related/associated visions and dreams of fine quality and substance were vouchsafed to many humble and sincere members of the Jamaat, Masha Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!

While Islamic teachings promise the special descent of ‘Laila-tul-Qadr’ in the last 10 days of the fasting month, the rank and file of the Jamaat had the great favour of witnessing to a number of interesting Divine Signs during this period- for instance, just like in the times of the Promised Messiah (as), red drops became visible in the copybook of the Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah (aba) of this era: out of nowhere, it suddenly appeared like a Divine attestation on the incredible efforts and profound service of Hazrat Saheb (aba) in making Qur’an accessible to a larger audience around the world in these complex and challenging times, Allahumma Allah-u-Akbar!

Against the backdrop of these mystical visions and experiences and related Divine Signs in the holy month of Ramadan, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr this year with members of the Jamaat-men, women, boys and girls- converging together at Mosques and other prayer centers in various parts of the world, including Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, Dubai, Delhi, Sirajum Munir Masjid at VK Puram (Tamil Nadu), and the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra (Kerala), Summa Alhamdulillah. 

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Message 2023

 

Celebrating 'Eid' in Our Broken World

'Remember the dues of God and our common humanity' , urges Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) in his 'Eid-ul-Fitr'  public message. 

Eid-ul-Fitr comes every year as thanksgiving to the Almighty Lord and rejoice for the Muslim believer who has fasted with devotion for the whole duration of the Holy Month of Ramadan, shunning every Satanic trap along the way by keeping fast to the Divine Commandments and submitting to His Will. Such Eid is celebrated by billions of Muslims around the world, whether in the rich or poor countries.

But as the world is caught in the whirlpool of calamities, when the impending danger of destruction is looming over the head of mankind, the definition of happiness has changed. The Eid which one seeks is inner peace for oneself and for humanity at large.

When humanity is suffering in all kinds of ways, whether being victims of war, or flood, or even lack of the basic necessities of life, we need to pause and reflect, and then take some serious decisions for the betterment of the beautiful global nation so much loved by the Almighty.

'Sacrifice for a better World'

  

By the immense grace of Allah, we have reached the month of Shawwal after 29 or 30 days of fasting and sacrifices in the month of Ramadan.

 

If Ramadan was a training for all believers to control and devote themselves more and more in the acts of worship to seek the forgiveness of our Lord and the opportunities to please Him, then Shawwal is that month during which the believers are to maintain that promise they made to Allah in that which they will remain steadfast in His path and walk the way of humility, simplicity and hold high the place of sacrifice in their lives for the sake of Allah.

 

We, Muslims have the foremost duty to be true to our Islam and Ramadan taught this to us and granted us the time and opportunity to do so. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

 

Allah has promised those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward. [Al-Maida, 5: 10]

 

If the Eid was a reward for you, unfortunately not all Muslims around the world get the opportunity to receive the Eid that you receive. So you should be thankful to Allah and strive with your selves and all means that you have to help change the world into a better one.

The message of 'Eid-ul-Fitr'

 

On the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr 2022, the print and electronic media in Mauritius carried a special message of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba). In the special article, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) takes note of the crises of Faiths and the dismal state of spirituality among the people of all religions today. In an age of crass materialism or the hedonic pursuit of power and pelf at all costs, the approach to religion being followed by the present-day worshippers is riddled with deep contradictory tendencies. While rites and rituals of religions are being observed by one and all, the true spirit of these faith practices are conspicuously missing in larger societal trends where the tentacles of Evil is apparent for all. 

The quest for inner peace and contentment, social harmony and compassionate engagements across different sections, justice and rights of the victims- all call for a new engagement and compact with God, renewing the true spirit of all faiths- points out Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba). Urging all humankind, especially the Muslims, to rediscover the essence of the Islamic spiritual life of devotional practices, Hazrat Saheb (aba) assures everyone that the inner, human quest for a sense of balance in life and peace in society is attainable. It is by following the blended path of pure worship of God and true service to fellow beings; a path of personal reform and ridding of arrogance and other ego-centric passions; of sacrifice and selflessness; an ethic of sharing and caring for all that we can achieve positive outcomes for 'a blessed tomorrow', notes Hazrat Saheb (aba) in this article published on Le Mauricien, on 02 May 2022.  

Read the Special Article Below:

Eid-ul-Fitr 2022

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr yesterday, 01 Shawwal 1443 AH~ 03 May 2022 in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in India and beyond. Brothers, sisters and children of the Jamaat assembled, inter alia, at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra and at the Siraj-um-Munir Masjid, VK Puram.

In a special message on the occasion to his disciples in India, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Muhyi-ud-Din Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius  conveyed 'Eid Mubarak' to everyone, and also his appreciation for all those who fervently sacrifice their personal comforts in favour of the call of Allah and His Prophet (sa) and also of His Khalifatullah (aba) in this era, thereby seeking to revive and renew the sacred teachings and practices of Islam for the benefit of all humanity. Hazrat Saheb (aba) exhorts true believers in this era to hold the Faith and its obligations far above their mundane personal interests; to do persistent striving to create an altogether 'new' world in our own social circles - a world respectful of spiritual values, like in the times of the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points out that believers in this era can renew the grand legacy of the Sahaba-i-Kiraam by becoming model exemplars of faith in their own everyday lives, Insha Allah, Aameen.  

Reproduced Below is the Text of the Special Message: 

'Pray for Humanity'

This year, the Muslims of Mauritius celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Jummah on 14 May 2021~01 Shawwal 1442 AH. In his Khutba Jummah on the occasion, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) marked the solemnity of the occasion by reminding the congregation of believers about their obligations towards the Almighty and to humanity at large. Calling attention to the structural imbalances,  and growing disparity between the rich and the poor in all our societies and the profound negative consequences these systemic inequities may have on the future of our children, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) underscores the need for urgent action to address issues of poverty, vagrancy, and social exclusion of deprived sections. In this context, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) recommends the renewal of original Islamic Zakaat norms in the devotional and social praxis of the Muslims so as to construct a more equitable social and economic order.     

Moreover, in a context of great upheavals and calamitous events shaking humanity to its core, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) counsels the Ummah to demonstrate brotherhood and solidarity and to rise above differences, in finding answers to difficult challenges in saving humanity from the brink of disaster. Recommending everyone to benefit from the deep resources of the living faith of Islam, including the exemplary model of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) exhorts the believers to become truly caring, generous and compassionate individuals who feel the pain and do everything they can to wipe the tears of fellow humans. "Today the world needs loyal adherents of this Rahmatul-lil-Aalameen who are ready to sacrifice themselves and their possessions for the well-being of mankind," notes Hazrat Saheb (aba). 

Read the Friday Sermon Below:

The Safeguard of Humanity

I am thankful to Allah (swt) that He has given us the opportunity to have two Eids today (one Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Jummah). As all our Muslims brothers, sisters and children know, the holy month of Ramadan, during which fasting is obligatory for those professing the Islamic faith, is a perpetual reminder of their other obligations to the Almighty and to humanity at large. One of them is Zakaat which represents an annual levy on their income and assets. Over the last couple of decades we have seen the emergence of a number of benevolent societies which in a very scientific and professional manner and in strict accordance with the precepts of the Shariah have endeavoured to collect and channel the proceeds of Zakaat donations to the most needy and deserving members of society. 

The fact remains, however that notwithstanding the above initiatives and in spite of the substantial progress our country has made, a number of Mauritian citizens [and the other peoples of the earth] has been left on the fringe of this development. Living as they do, in the precarious conditions engendered by poverty, these persons daily chores seems like a battle against hope, not only for obtaining the basic comforts of a home but incredible as it may appear, even for their daily meals. The plight of the children is made worse as they are deprived of the essential tools to enable them to benefit from proper schooling and education which might have helped to extricate themselves from the shackles they are imprisoned in. 

I hope that in the coming year we might be able to pool our efforts together so as to buy some solace to all those in our countries [and especially here in Mauritius] who are still struggling to survive. The help, devotion and contribution of each of us Muslims, be it in Mauritius and the world at large is needed to enable those necessities of life to reach their proper destination. This is the actual reason that the Zakaat has been instituted by Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), to enable the equal repartition of riches between the rich and the poor, to maintain the balance of wealth in the Islamic world and beyond.

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2021

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Muhyi-ud-Din Munir A. Azim (aba) delivered Eid-ul-Fitr Khutba at the historic Bai't-uz-Zikr Masjid, Mauritius on 14 May 2021~ 01 Shawwal 1442 AH. In his special Eid-ul-Fitr Discourse, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) spoke on the significance of inner peace and happiness as a spiritual value. Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid  is an occasion of festivities and celebration for devout Muslims busy in accomplishing deeds of sacrifice and piety throughout the fasting month. While the spiritual training of Ramadan will guard them in the Divine Path, the believer needs to recognize and adopt the culture of peace that Islam recommends for the journey of life. 

Peace is a primary virtue of a just society, and only those who are at peace with themselves can construct a civilized social order. In the absence of inner peace and contentment among individuals, social reality will bound to be riven with tensions and conflicts. Violence and mayhem that we see around can all be traced back to troubled and turbulent inner lives of people at the centre of such chaos. As against 'synthetic' happiness that is sought to be pursued through professional glory and personal relationships, true happiness depends on recognition of spiritual truths. When the believer entrusts his life and fortunes to God, and lives with full confidence in the wisdom and choices of the Almighty through following the spiritual values He (twt) approves of; such a believer enjoys inner tranquillity and pure happiness amidst the conditions obtained in everyday life. Indeed, a believer needs to become an embodiment of peace through recognizing God's commandments on just living as reflected in spiritual and moral values that promote selflessness and pure disposition in all situations of life, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba) in this sublime discourse.   

Read the Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon Below: 

Peace and Happiness

Eid-ul-Fitr is the gift of Allah (swt), so I wish to convey my warmest greetings and best wishes to all my Muslim brothers, sisters, and children, and especially all my dear and sincere disciples around the world. May Allah (swt) reward all Muslims for their endurance as well as their obedience and devotion to Him during the Holy month of Ramadan. Since fasting is obligatory on all Muslims during Ramadan, celebrating Eid today is incumbent upon all our Muslims brothers, sisters and children as a community; it is the occasion offered to us all to enjoy the divine favours upon us, to rejoice, to wear our best, to be at our best and to eat and drink what best has been prepared for it is expressly forbidden to fast on this festive day. But as always in Islam, all in the spirit of moderation! 

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2020

I wish Eid Mubarak to all my disciples around the world and I pray that this Eid be a blessing for us and the entire Muslim world. Insha-Allah.

Islam uses the word “Eid” to express joy. It’s a day that comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and sacrifice. It is a day when our prayers (Salaat and Duahs) are accepted, and we must make this supplication: O Allah, make this day come more often. Ameen.

On that day, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to praise Allah in a very special way with great love and brilliance. A question was asked: When was Eid first celebrated?

The first Ramadan was observed in the second year of the Hegira and it was during this same Ramadan that Muslims fought the battle of Badr. The Muslims weren’t even done dressing the wounds of war. It is mentioned that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was so exhausted that he leaned on Hazrat Bilal (ra) and it was only with the help of the latter that he stood up and pronounced his sermon.

A few days before the celebration of Eid, he announced the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr which he had made compulsory for every Muslim. As soon as this Fitrana was announced, the companions generously contributed. The money thus collected was distributed among the poor before and after Eid festival.

However according to another tradition (Sunnah), it was during this same Eid that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had, outdoors and in a vast place celebrated the Eid festival. According to Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (ra), the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in his sermon, placed great emphasis on the glory and the Hamd (praise) of Allah. He praised Allah in an extraordinary and special way.

Ramadan: Training for True Life

The Departure of Ramadan 

The rules governing fasting are clearly defined. They must be applied with diligence and respect within the prescribed framework. Any trend beyond the prescribed limits must be discouraged and abandoned.

In fact, the real purpose of the fast, its meaning, and the spirit that animates it must dominate the heart during this sacred month. In few days, our special guest will bid us farewell. For believers, these are very sad moments because our special guest will leave us with great sorrow and sadness. Those who have benefited from this entire blessed month are very fortunate, as no one knows if next year how many of us will welcome this blessed month again.

In this month of Ramadan most of the believers have benefited enormously from these blessings by putting into practice all the Ibadat (acts of worship) prescribed by our Creator. So the month of Ramadan is a period of intense training for the next eleven months (Insha-Allah). Our hearing, sight, tongue, mind, all are subject to rigorous testing. Those who did not pray five times a day do so now. Those who did not wake up in the latter part of the night to offer prayers [Tahajjud & even Fajr], learn to do so. This discipline, practiced for a whole month, serves as a model for the next eleven months.

The Many Rewards of Ramadan

The Night of Destiny and Spiritual Retreat- II

During the holy month of Ramadan, believers seek divine favours and all opportunities to draw closer to Allah (twa), through whatever Allah has ordained as Farz (obligatory) and Nafl (supererogatory) as well. The reward for a supererogatory work during Ramadan becomes equal to that of a compulsory work, and the compulsory work is rewarded even more.

As believers, we must always seek out all that is good for us in this world, and in the hereafter. We recite this prayer (duah) as follows: 

Rabbana atina fi d-dunya hassanatan w-wa fi-l-aakhirati hasanatan w-waqina ‘adhaba n-naar. 

Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire. [Ameen].

The believer always prays in this way [he recites this invocation often], where he seeks what will benefit his physical body in this world, and also what will benefit his soul, in the spiritual sense [in the field of spirituality]. And when one day he has to appear before Allah, he will come to Allah with a pure soul. 

The 'Bid'ah' of Eid Parties

In his Friday Sermon of 05 July 2019~ 02 Dhul-Qaddah 1440 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius comprehensively examines a contemporary practice among sections of Muslims, including Ahmadis of Mauritius: the celebration of religious festivals in the manner and style of other communities and peoples. In adopting 'modern ways' of branding Muslim festivals, the celebrationists are blindly following misguided, hedonistic elitism; seriously eroding the sanctity of the Islamic Pathway as taught by the Holy Prophet (sa) through his own sacred practices at such times. Apart from being a deviant practice (Bid'ah), such grand parties also dilute attention away from important interests and issues of the community. Through a sociological and political analysis also of the phenomenon of 'Eid Parties' in Mauritius, the Imam of the Era (atba) provides important insights and lessons to liberate common folks from being puppets in the hands of  wrong-headed elitists and the wily politicians of our societies. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

It is a shame to see the Muslim Community organising big parties and dinners and labelling them all as “Eid Party” after the month of Ramadan. After this [blessed] month, there is the month of Shawwal, and Eid-ul-Fitr marks the start of Shawwal on its very first day. Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of rejoice for all believers found in the Muslim Community; it is a day when Allah gives permission to the believers to eat, drink and be happy, and moreover to share this happiness with the family and also the non-Muslim neighbours and friends. Thus, on this occasion, vermicelli and cakes are distributed, and sometimes, the Briani [a special rice and meat dish] as well.

Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr’s actual duration is one day of joy bestowed to us, believers, by Allah after the Ramadan, a month-long of sacrifice. Eid-ul-Fitr is for those who have obeyed the Creator and have done a lot of sacrifice for the cause of Allah. And after this time-frame of about 29 or 30 days, you [i.e. the true believers] have obeyed Allah, and have stayed away from all licit things which became restricted and forbidden during the fasting time from early morning before dawn till sunset. When Allah said: “Obey Me”, you have obeyed and sacrificed, and spent much time in Ibadat (Worship), Zikr (Remembrance of Allah), Tilawat Quran (Recitation of the Holy Quran), Duahs (invocations to Allah), Farz & Nafl Salat/ Namaz (Obligatory & Voluntary prayers), giving away charity, eating little, and sleeping less, and maximizing your time in such acts of worships.

So, after the Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is a day when Allah (swt) manifests His pleasure for His loyal servants, those who showed complete obedience to Him, their Creator. Eid-ul-Fitr is thus not only a day of rejoice and a day for the distribution of cakes and to eat and drink, but it is also an opportunity to forget family tiffs and rancour and to purify ourselves, our souls by giving away the Sadaqat-i-Fitr.

It is narrated from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days (fasting) of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted a lifetime.” (Muslim)

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2019

WHAT IS EID-UL-FITR ?

Here we are gathered again by the grace of Allah for a new Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.

The word ‘Fitr’ means breaking the fast. It is from the same source that the term ‘iftar’ is also derived. Eid-ul-Fitr means the festival celebrated at the end of the fast of Ramadan. After a month of fasting, Shariah calls for a day of joy. A day when it is imperative to eat and be joyous. Fasting on this day is forbidden. (Bukhari).

It’s a moment to share love in serenity with family and friends. This is the moment when the family gathers around a table to share the symbolic breakfast that distinguishes the day of Eid from the usual days. It is reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ate some dates of an odd number before going out to offer the Eid Salat.

At the time of the Prophet (pbuh), Eid was synonymous with unparalleled enthusiasm and gaiety. In fact, Eid’s days are the only festivals that Muslims can celebrate. Note that Eid is celebrated with an extra Salat. So a Muslim celebrates with more prayer thanking his Lord for all the favours He has poured upon him. It’s time to fraternize, to show generosity and to forgive. With a pure heart [upon returning from Eid prayer], we come home to spend the rest of the day with our family.

Ramadan: Moon-sighting Controversies

In his Friday Sermon of 10 May 2019~04 Ramadan 1440 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius spoke on the recurring controversies in the Muslim world surrounding issues of Moon-sighting on the occasions of announcing big events such as starting of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, creating confusion among the believers. The existential reality of the Muslims being found everywhere in the world also means that in the absence of unity under a widely-recognized central leadership, Islamic practice is bound to mutate with local communities differing on correct interpretation of theological questions. The 'trouble' now is the deepening sectarianism- that even within small/ provincial Muslim communities, there is lack of consensus- among the believers on issues like Moon-sighting ahead of sacred religious events. The recent round of debates in Pakistan on the issue- the annual controversy over the decisional accuracy of the Clerical committee- even led a Federal Minister in the Imran Khan administration to advocate the establishment of science-based lunar calendar to calculate the start of the Holy Month.  

In this important discourse, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) exhorts the Muslims to use their minds and find a collective solution to avoid this embarrassing parade of sectarian divisions and  the consequential predicament facing Muslim families in different national communities. Hadhrat Saheb (atba) further reminds everyone that 'according to Islamic precepts, in countries where the moon can be easily seen, then the visibility of the moon is a must to start and to end the sacred month of Ramadan, bearing also in mind that an Islamic month can only be 29 or 30 days and not more'. With a spirit of unity; collective well-being and welfare of all Muslims in mind, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) offers practical advices for the Jamaat to deal with the situation and thereby indicates that it should be possible for the Ummah to device local/national solutions for coordinating the Moon-sighting phenomenon across States and communities and thereby avoid the predicament of family members being divided on sectarian lines as to when they commence fasting in Ramadan and or celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast (observe the 'Saum' during) that month. (Al-Baqara, 2: 186).

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Ramadan has once again greeted us with its arrays of blessings and invites us to partake it all so that we may accede to the pleasure of Allah.

In the aftermath of a question which I received from one of my disciples in Tamil Nadu, I would like to shed some light – for the entire Muslim Ummah – on the issue of moon sighting and fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The Qur’an, the blessed words and commandments of Allah, as well as Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have called our attention to moon sighting for the beginning of the fast of Ramadan, and the same applies when breaking the last fast before the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: I heard Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) saying, “When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can’t see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days.” (Bukhari, Muslim).

On the Night of 'Eid-ul-Fitr'

Eid & Divine Forgiveness

When Ramadan comes to an end, we get the night of Eid - Lailatul Jaa’izah, that is to say, the night of retribution. On the morning of Eid, Allah (swt) sends the angels to earth, where they take up positions shouting in a voice that all except humans and Jinn can hear: “O Ummah of Muhammad (pbuh), come forth from your houses towards a Lord that is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the major sins.”

When the people proceed for the Eid prayer, Allah asks the angels : “What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered his services?” 

The angels reply: “O Lord and Master, it is only right that he should receive his reward in full for his services.” 

Allah then says: “I call you to witness, O My angels, that for their having fasted during the month of Ramadan, and for their having stood in prayer by night, I have granted to them as reward My pleasure and have granted them forgiveness.”

Addressing His servants, Allah says: “O My servants ask now of Me, for I swear by My honour and My greatness, that whatsoever you shall beg of me this day in this assembly of yours for the needs of the Hereafter and this world, I shall grant you. By My honour I swear, as long as you shall obey my commands, I shall cover your faults. By My honour and by My greatness do I swear that I shall never disgrace you among the evil-doing ones and disbelievers. Depart now from here, you are forgiven. You have pleased Me, and I am pleased with you.”

The angels upon seeing this great reward bestowed by Allah upon the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) on the day of Eid (Eid-ul Fitr) become greatly pleased and happy.

*** O Allah count us also among those fortunate people, Ameen. ***