Being grateful on Eid
In the verses of fasting in Surat al-Baqarah, Allah says that He wants ease for us, not hardship, and that we should complete the prescribed days and glorify Him for guiding us — and that we may be grateful.
وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“…and so that you complete the prescribed period, and glorify Allah for having guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:185)
Notice how the verse ends with gratitude — “وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ”. Gratitude is at the heart of our relationship with Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ عِيدًا، وَهَذَا عِيدُنَا
“Every nation has its Eid, and this is our Eid.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Eid is the time to celebrate the grace of Allah and this part and parcel of being grateful to Allah for enabling us to fast in Ramadan, and to pray in Ramadan and recite the Quran, pay zakat and fitr, and do good. After every goodness, we should celebrate the grace of Allah, because it is not our brains and muscles that enable us, but the grace of Allah. So many people want to fast, but they aren’t able. We are fortunate that Allah enabled us to fast. How many people want to give charity, but they can’t, yet we are able through the grace of Allah.
Celebrate the Name of Allah
Celebrating the name of Allah is important in our life. In every adhan, in every salah, we say:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.”
Thus in every salah, we celebrate the name of Allah as Allah taught us. There is no power greater than Allah, nothing is beyond His control. No matter how many problems you have or how big the problems are, beg Allah, ask Him. this is what we say in our daily prayers. That is why in every salah we repeat:
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” (Surat al-Fātiḥah 1:5)
Spread joy and remain grateful
The Prophet ﷺ would spread happiness in the community. Despite the difficulties and hostility he faced, he still went out to celebrate Eid. The entire community — men, women, and children — would come out and rejoice together.
We should be deeply grateful that Allah allowed us to witness Ramadan. So many passed away before or during the month. Every breath we have is another chance to get closer to Allah.
Stay in the mood for worship
If you started praying during Ramadan, don’t stop now. Allah is worthy of our worship beyond Ramadan. If you began to follow His commands more closely, don’t disconnect from Him now. Be grateful that he opened your heart to come closer to him in Ramadan.
Celebrate within the limits
Eid is a time of celebration — but within the boundaries set by Allah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to spread joy, but never in ways that displease Allah. Remain connected to the spirit of worship, even while enjoying the day. Stay in worship-mode after Ramadan.
Remember those in need
Be generous before the salah starts. Look after the needy around us especially from our family. This is where our responsibility begins from immediate family and then extended family and then the community.
We cannot celebrate Eid properly while our brothers and sisters are suffering and massacres are being committed on a daily basis. Keep them in your duas and ask Allah to give them relief and victory and protect them and grant this sooner rather than later. We also ask Allah to help us remain grateful, to continue on the path of worship, and to spread joy and kindness wherever we go.
Based on the khutbah delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 30th March 2025.
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