Indeed
the reward for fasting the month of Ramadan is Allah Himself. Fortunate are
those to whom Allah have chosen to disclose His presence by pouring down upon
them the grace and blessings which is embedded in the fasting of Ramadan and
the Night of Qadr (Decree). Indeed Allah never denies a soul his
or her just and complete reward.
Allah says in the Holy Quran: So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or
a small ant), shall see it. (Az-Zalzalah 99: 8)
Allah has ordained for the Muslims such acts of
worship at the end of Ramadan in order to assist us all in our expression of
love and devotion for Him, to consolidate our faith and increase the weight of
our good deeds. There is:
1) The proclamation of the Takbir (i.e.
the glorification of the grandeur of Allah) beginning on the night of 1st of
Shawwal, i.e., the beginning of the Eid-ul-Fitr which starts at sunset
on the last day of Ramadan.
Bear in mind that in Islam, by way of importance, the
night precedes the day, all because the Islamic month is lunar. Therefore, the
new Hijri date begins with the setting of sun. So, if today is Friday (Yaum'ul
Jumu'ah) 28 Ramadan 1438 AH, then the moment Maghrib time begins, it shall then
already be Saturday (Yaum'ul Sabti). And since the day starts at Maghrib,
then on the last day of Ramadan (which can either be 29 or 30 days), we do not
pray Tarawih (Voluntary Night prayers, usually in congregation). This is
because the new day of Eid has already started at Maghrib. So when the moon is
sighted Insha-Allah on the following Sunday night (i.e. 30th
day of Ramadan), then Eid-ul-Fitr shall begin, and this shall also mark
the end of the Ramadan.