Ramadhan promises blessings, forgiveness and eternal bliss
M. Fowzul Aleem Farrok
“O Ummah of Muhammed (peace be upon Him) come forth from your houses
towards Allah who is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the
major sins.” This is how on the morning of Eid - Fitr festival day
angels of Allah (Malaaikah) call out to Muslims.
When the believers proceed for Eid prayers, Almighty Allah says to
the angels: “What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered
his services? The Malaaikah reply; O our Lord and master, it is only
right that he shall receive his reward in full for his services. “Allah
then proclaims, “I call you to witness, O my Malaaikah, that for their
having fasted for me during the month of Ramadhan and for their having
stood before me in prayers in night, I have granted to them as reward my
pleasure and forgiveness.”
Those people who brighten the holy Month of Ramadhan - the only month
which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Quran, are promised bountiful
blessings, forgiveness and eternal bliss.
Though we celebrate the festival, many a devotee regrets to bid
farewell to this holy month as our holy Prophet Muhammed said “If my
followers were to realise what Ramadhan really was, they would wish the
whole year should just be Ramadhan.” With the dawn of new Shavaal moon,
Ramadhan fasting, Tharaveeh prayers and paying of zakat, which is
recommended in this month, will come to an end but other obligations,
such as, prayers five times a day, recitation of Holy Quran and
distribution of charity will continue.
Islam has bestowed two festivals for its followers, namely; Eid Ul
Fitr - the Ramadhan festival and Eid Ul Azha-the Haj Festival. Both are
to be celebrated after some sacrifices, for them they are valued more.
Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated on completion of 29 or 30 days of fasting,
which is a great sacrifice made against the needs of the body and soul.
Here celebration of the festival gives immense satisfaction to followers
who actively engage in attentive Ibdat (religious observance), day and
night, in the holy month of Ramadhan, sacrificing and controlling their
desires.
The noteworthy feature of the festival is that the day begins with
the festival prayers in the Mosque. Believers clad in new clothes flock
in large numbers to offer prayers. Once the congregational prayer is
over, Muslims greet each other with the salutation “Thakabal Allahu
Minna Wa Minka” (O Allah accept us and others), thus forgetting past
differences. Much needed unity and brotherhood is established.
The Ramadhan festival is termed Eid Ul Fitr because it gives
prominence to fulfilling the aspirations of the poor and needy. Affluent
and faithful Muslims, who understand the pangs of hunger and consider
the feelings of the poor through Ramadhan fasting, visit the needy and
assist them with food, clothing and cash. Islam orders every Muslim with
means to give at least two full measure of rice as ‘Sadaqathul Firt’
before going out for festival prayers the following morning.
This Sadaqathul Fitr frees the poor of the necessity of going around
(looking for alms) on this day and helps them to feel rich.
One should not forget that among the poor, there are righteous and
faithful followers who, through fasting, attain contentment and
happiness. They are always grateful to their Lord and care not for their
sustenance.
Soon after the Eid prayers, the Muslims go to the burial grounds to
invoke the mercy of Allah and his forgiveness for the dead. While
visiting the grave one should say “Peace be upon you, O people of the
grave. May Allah pardon you and pardon us. You are forerunners and we
are in your foot steps.” The visit to the graves acts as a reminder of
what to expect next.
This visit teachers us that on no occasion should our mind be
immersed in fun and frolic, thus neglecting the remembrance of Almighty
Allah and life after death. We must always remember Almighty Allah who
will save us from total annihilation and a worse predicament.
May Allah accept our religious observances performed during the holy
month of Ramalan and reward us in this world as well as in the
hereafter. |