Eid ul Fitr 2020 in Trying times

Alhamdolillah, the month of Ramadan, the month of countless blessings, has come to an end with the sighting of the crescent of month of  Shawwal 1441 AH.  Those who adhered to obligations of the month of Ramadan, kept all 29 fasts, recited the Qur'an and gave away charities, In Sha Allah, they will be rewarded of their self sacrifices. 

The dawn of 24th May brings glad tidings for all believers to celebrate Eid ul Fitr " عيد الفطر ". The day dawns with the special Eid prayer congregations all over the Muslim world, which is followed by embracing each other to greet the blessings of the day.  On this day, sweet dishes are prepared, for which this Eid is also known as the Sweet Eid. Friends and relatives visit each other houses and greet the families while the children are given away Eid money, a ritual of specially liking for the children. Families thereafter move out to recreational parks where children take rides and enjoy the day. Special meals are prepared to celebrate the day with families and relatives.

One of the hallmark of the Eid ul Fitr is giving away charities, called Fitr or Fitrana,  before the special Eid prayers to the poor and needy. This ensures participation of the poor in the Eid day celebrations. Many believers give away cooked food to the poor. Believers also visit grave yards to pray for the forgiveness of their near and dear ones buried there.

However, this year, the Eid will be celebrated in trying times of Corona pandemic which has plagued the entire world. Many of the rituals like Eid prayer congregations will be curtailed and embracing each other may not take place in order to ensure the minimum social distance required to arrest spread of the Corona virus. Likewise the recreation too will be heavily scaled down as almost all recreational parks and playgrounds are closed. 

For reverts who will be celebrating their first Eid, this day will not be the same as they may have been excitedly and anxiously waiting for. But times would change and In Sha Allah, next year the clouds of Corona Virus will be lifted to enjoy Eid in traditional ways.

Instead of personal visits, technology and Social Media will assist in video chats to talk to each other and share Eid greetings. In fact, creativity in celebrating the Eid will be add to the otherwise dull environment due to Corona virus. One may dish out cooked meals and sweets to friends and families while maintaining social distance, while not forgetting to keep envelopes containing money for the children. In fact this Eid will be a virtual Eid rather than a physical activity.

So do not make it a dull day due to restrictions and celebrate the happiness of the day virtually and as best as it be made happy by innovating one's activities. 

We at Islam: My Ultimate Decision, wish all our readers a very happy Eid. May Allah accept or fasting during Ramadan and Qur'an recitations and our charities and Zakat. Aameen

You may watch the video below as despite all constraints, Muslims around the world continue to celebrate the coming Eid while still adhering to the precautions:

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Beware before Sudden Penalty Befalls while Ye Perceive Not!

Most men take this world a playing field to enjoy the life for as long as they live. And in their enjoyment the completely set aside or pay no heed to the commandments of Allah which more often than not warn them of His wrath if they do not obey Him. 

In fact, Allah only asks His servants to surrender their selfish will to Allah's Will. In divine compassion, therefore, we are allowed to do just what we can, even though our standard should fall short of the highest standard. But our aim should be to follow the highest standard, and Allah's Grace will come to our assistance. But we must do so in this life-and at once, as soon as the Word penetrates our mind or understanding. We must not delay a moment, for the Judgment may come at any time, suddenly, before we even perceive where we are.

Were we prepared for the calamity in the form of Coronavirus or the COVID-19? We were merrymaking, living a sinful life and enjoying the pleasures of sins, polluted sex and usurping rights of the poor. And suddenly the wrath of Allah falls on us in the form of this unknown virus that has taken a toll of almost 200,000 people so far and more than 2.5 million being affected with it. Did we have time to repent?

Herein under we share a few verses from Surah 39. Az-Zumar which open up from the commandment of Allah to follow Him while all is well. But one should make haste in obeying Allah for he may never know when in his ignorance a sudden penalty befalls on him when he even have not perceived it and he would then have no chance to repent, but would be left with remorse and guilt:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

وَاتَّبِعُوۡۤا اَحۡسَنَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكُمۡ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَكُمُ الۡعَذَابُ بَغۡتَةً وَّاَنۡتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُوۡنَۙ‏ 

55. "And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur'an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!" 

“To follow the best aspect of the Book of Allah” means that one should carry out the commands Allah has given and refrain from what He has forbidden, and learn lessons from what He has brought out in the parables and narratives. As against this, the one who turns away from Allah’s commands, indulges in the forbidden things, and does not heed His admonitions, follows the worst aspect of the Book of Allah, i.e. that aspect which the divine Book has declared as the most evil.

And when the chastisement befalls, man can only lament:

اَنۡ تَقُوۡلَ نَفۡسٌ يّٰحَسۡرَتٰى عَلٰى مَا فَرَّطْتُّ فِىۡ جَنۡۢبِ اللّٰهِ وَاِنۡ كُنۡتُ لَمِنَ السّٰخِرِيۡنَۙ‏ 

56. Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah), the Qur'an, and Muhammad  and at the faithful believers, etc.]

Many kinds of sighs and regrets will then assail us. In the first place, we shall see our shortcomings: we were negligent when we should have been serious: we mocked when we should have tried to learn and understand. But it will be too late then to retrieve our position.

Or still yet he cries: 

اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ لَوۡ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ هَدٰٮنِىۡ لَكُنۡتُ مِنَ الۡمُتَّقِيۡنَۙ‏   

57. Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons - see V.2:2)."

In the second place, we might be inclined to say, 'I wish I had received warning or guidance'. But this would not be true, because the warning and guidance are being conveyed in the clearest manner in Allah's Revelation. "that is the force of 'lest it should say'. It could have said so, had it not seen that the objection is clearly anticipated in the call to repent and in the warning about the Hereafter.

اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ حِيۡنَ تَرَى الۡعَذَابَ لَوۡ اَنَّ لِىۡ كَرَّةً فَاَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏  

58. Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112)." 

In the third place, when we stand face to face with the Penalty of our own deeds, we might say, 'I wish I had another chance'. But not one, but many, chances are being given, especially when we are told (verse 53 above): 'Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful'. The force of 'lest it should say' here is the same as explained in the last note.

So wait not o, believers and repent when there is still time with no surety for how long it would last. A true repentance immediately after reading these verses may save us from wrath of Allah, both in this world and hereafter. May Allah forgive us all and save us from His anger.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

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Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 - Fasting In Different Times

Alhamdolillah, Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 is here and most of the Muslims will start to fast from Friday tomorrow while more will commence fasting on Saturday due to sighting of moon. It is the sacred month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and it is the month in which fasting has been prescribed for the Muslims.

For many reverts, this may be their first Ramadan and I wish them to be lucky to be experiencing their exposure to a month full of blessings and bounties.

However, this year, we are observing this sacred month in a very different time when almost the entire world is plagued by the deadly Corona Virus, which has taken a heavy toll of human lives and so far over 100,000 thousand have perished while over two million are still under the grip of this virus. Due to this virus, many rituals specific to this holy month will not be there and those newly reverted Muslims will not have a chance to see their first Ramadan being observed with full religious zeal and fervour,like:

The regular prayers and specially the Taraweh prayers may not be held in the masques for the fear of contraction of virus and holding of prayers as during this month, mosques are generally jam packed as every Muslim wants to collect as many blessings of Allah. Unfortunately, the Masjid al Haram, the Khan e Ka'bah in Makkah will be empty which is otherwise jam packed during the month of Ramadan as Muslims from all over the world come here to observe fasts right in the Home of Allah. May Allah take away this pandemic from us and let us be flock the mosques once again. Aameen.

The joint Iftar on streets of Muslim countries will be missing. Even in Makkah and Medina where the locals take it as an honour to have fast of others opened by bring from home lavish food and drinks for those fasting. 

Likewise the joint arrangements at the time of Sehr / Sahoor, the time to eat to keep the fast in the pre morning will be missed out too. 

But times would change, In Sha Allah, and we hope to see the next Ramadan without coonavirus and hope to revive our age old traditions specific to Ramadan.

Coming back to the month of Ramadan and observing of the fasts. Herein under are the references from the Holy Qur'an and excerpts from Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the observance of fasts:

The three consecutive verses of Surah al Baqarah, Chapter 2, verses 183-185 command believers to fast as it had been decreed upon people people:

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah: 183)

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:184)

The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:185)

The Prophet of Allah has been quoted as saying while addressing his companions on the last day of Sha`ban:

"Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Citing the importance of the month of Ramadan, `Abdullah ibn `Amr quoted the Messenger of Allah (saw), saying: 

"The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Imam Ahmad]

Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw): 

"There is a gate to Paradise that is called Ar Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].

Having emphasized the importance of fasting, let us see what rewards and bounties have been reserved for those who fast to please Allah:

Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Imam Bukhari]

Please watch the video below by Nouman Ali Khan Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, exegete and educationist, on the subject:

From all of us at Islam: My Ultimate Decision, a very happy Ramadan to all Muslims of the world and readers of our blog. May Allah forgive our sins this Ramadan, protect Muslims all over the world,  liberate occupied Muslim lands of Palestine and Kashmir, and bless us the countless bounties of fasting. Aameen

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Q & A Related to Prayers / As Salat: Congregational Prayers at Home

The Corona virus pandemic has altered the way of living of the people around the world to a great extent. Suddenly, people who once embraced each other, walked hands in hands and went to partying and travelling have been confined to their homes - locked down from every type of social activity.

It has also affected to a great extent the religious activities, whether in masjids, churches or synagogues. There are no more weekly congregations in the religious centres anymore. So much so that two main pillars of Islamic congregational activities, that is Bait al Haram at Makkah and Masjid e Nabavi, the Prophet's Mosque in Medina have been closed for public. 

And after many centuries, it would be the first time that these two prime holy places of Muslims will not see the second largest congregation during the Ramadan after the Hajj. Even holding of Hajj this year seems uncertain.

Under such trying times, the activities of masjids all around the world have been almost scaled down. Such restrictions have been allowed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his times when pediments broke out or severe weather conditions did not allow the believers to reach the masjid.

However, there is one beautiful thing about Islam is that unlike all other religions where the followers have to attend a church or a synagogue for their religious rituals, Islam does not restrict its followers to offer prayers in masjids only. In fact believers can arrange congregational prayers in their home even if there or two or more than two people are at home.

In the diagrams given below, the procedure for holding the congregational prayers is given with self explanatory notes. Any male can lead the prayer of male only or mixed male/female gathering, while in the absence of any male in the house, female can lead prayers of females only.

May Allah help us to understand the simple and most practical religion of all - Islam and allow us to take advantage of concessions given to us in difficult time. Aameen.

For more Q &A about understanding prayers / As Salat, please refer to our reference page: Q & A Related to Prayers / Salat.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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