28
Jun 2023
The story of Eid therefore embodies the principle of certainty (yaqeen), commitment and sacrifice. Every Eid we are reminded of the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). He is the symbol of sacrifice. When he was commanded to sacrifice his son, he had absolute certainty (yaqeen) in Allah Almighty and true tawakkul (trust). It was a test of his imaan. A test of his commitment to Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty did not want Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice Ismail (peace be upon him) otherwise the sunnah every Eid would......
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26
Jun 2023
Although I recommend people to follow their local community when it comes to fasting in Ramadan and celebrating Eid, I would not recommend anyone to fast on the day the Hajjis are celebrating Eid. The Ummah should unite during the days of Dhul Hijjah. We should show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are performing Hajj. It breaks the spirit of unity that Hajj embodies to suggest that millions of Hajjis standing on the plains of Arafat are in the wrong. Therefore I would recommend all Muslims who are able to......
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17
Jun 2023
A resource for schools on how and why Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha. Download the powerpoint presentation here:...
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09
Jul 2022
Every Eid begins with the takbeer. Across all countries around the world, Allahu Akber, Allahu Akber, Allahu Akber, wa lilahi hamd. The rhythm of the takbeer is like the beat of the heart. All together north and south, east and west, the takbeer resounds throughout the Ummah. It shows how strong we are when we are together. It shows us how strong we are when we are grateful to Allah Almighty. Our salah begin with the takbeer. It is about Allah’s power. We repeat it to glorify Allah and show gratitude to......
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13
May 2021
The surahs recited every Eid Every Eid, the Prophet (peace be on him) used to recite Surat Al A’la in the first rakah and Surat Al Ghashiya in the second rakah, which are two consecutive surahs in the Quran. He recited them at almost every Eid and sometimes at Jummuah. I was wondering why he chose these surahs on these occasions. On these days, the congregation would be as packed as possible. So why did he choose them? I looked at the meaning of these surahs and there are some overlaps. Themes......
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29
Nov 2020
Though Muslims definitely believe in the Prophet Eesa (peace be on him), we don’t know the exact day of his birth and we don’t celebrate his birth or Christmas anyway. Indeed we don’t celebrate the birthday of any prophet, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Instead, we might deliver a talk about him to educate people about him and his sunnah and way of life. This would be in line with general guidance. We need strong and deep knowledge of our prophets and messengers and we need to tell our......
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02
Jul 2019
My reflections on the social and spiritual dimensions of Ramadan and Eid Every year I have some reflections on Ramadan and these reflections keep changing. They constantly change because these reflections are connected to our mental status, our spiritual status, as well as what we see or read or hear at the time. All these always affect our understanding. My personal journey from the Middle East to the West, to Karachi, to Bahrain, to Saudi, to the UAE and to various other places have all given me a very different understanding of......
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01
Jul 2019
From Ramadan to Eid and back to Ramadan Celebration of the revelation of the Divine Message What Is Eid? As we know that the very first verse which was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the cave on the mountain of Hira. Jibreel came down and said ‘Iqra’. We tell this story to our children and youth as the beginning of the revelation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was forty years old when he received the first revelation and guess what? It was in Ramadan! So Eid......
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17
Jun 2019
Reflecting on what you gained and hanging on to it Notice the New You We spend quite a bit of time psyching ourselves up before Ramadan. During Ramadan we direct our energy towards purifying ourselves, and all of sudden Eid comes and life, with all its myriad demands, resumes full throttle. So many of us do not usually get a chance to reflect on what we gained over that blessed month. Recognise what you achieved Even though we had shortcomings, may not have achieved all our goals, and felt our ibadah was......
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15
Jun 2019
Moon-fighting and Flying Goats The annual moon-fighting fiasco is a pain we endure every year first with uncertainty when it will be, guessing which day to take off from school and work and inevitably ending with families divided on the day of Eid, when half celebrate on one day and the other half, even within in the very same town, celebrate on a different day. There are variety of issues which are a point of debate but these are further compounded by stubbornness and rebelliousness within our leaders, mosques and communities. How......
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04
Jun 2019
Celebrate Eid with a Smile Alhamadulillah we have been able to fast in Ramadan and pray, and stand in night prayers. The good news that that Prophet (peace be on him) said: Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of imaan and expecting the reward from Allah, his former sins will be forgiven, and whoever stands up in night prayer out of imaan and expecting reward from Allah his former sins will be forgiven. (Bukhari and Muslim) The day of reward The day of Eid is called the Day of Prize or yaum al......
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20
Jun 2018
Why We Are Thankful at Eid, and the Benefits of Feeling Thankful Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. hardship (2:185) In Surah Baqarah Allah Almighty says He wants ease for you and He does not want hardship. He wants you to complete the numbers, in other words: the whole month of siyaam (fasting) and to celebrate Allah’s name, glorifying......
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