The tenth month of the Islamic calender is Shawwal. In respect of the significance and importance of Eid ul Fitr the following sayings should be remembered. Eid-Ul-Fitr Hazrat Abu Hurraira (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the messenger of Allah Ta’ala, Hazrat Mohummed (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "when the eve of Eid ul Fitr comes, all the angels rejoice. Allah Almighty says: "Oh My Angels! What is the reward of those labourers who have completed their task?" The angels reply that they should be fully rewarded. Allah Almighty then says:

"Be witness, I have forgiven them all."Hazrat Abu Amamah (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "Anyone who keeps alive the two nights of Eid (i.e- the eve of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adhu) by remaining awake in the worship of Allah, his heart will not die on that day when every heart will be dead." Hazrat Muaz ibn Jabal (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the Prophet of Allah Ta’ala (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, 10th nights of Zil-Hajj, the eve of Eid ul Fitr and the 15th night of Sha’baan) in the worship of Allah, by reciting the Quran, engaging in Zikr, rendering na’at Shareef and Darood-O-Salam, they have made Paradise obligatory for themselves. The Salat (Namaz) to be offered on the eve of Eid ul Fitr are as follows: It has been said that four raka’at Nafl prayer should be offerd at home. In each raka’at after surah Fateha, you should recite surah Ikhlas 21 times. The person who offers this salat will have all 8 doors of Heaven opened to him, and all seven doors of Hell shut. He will have his place reserved in Paradise before his death. In another saying, it is the one who offers 4 raka’ats and in each raka’at after surah Fateha, he recites surah Ikhlas, surah Falaq and surah An-Nas, three times.

Then read kalimah Tamjeed 70 times, and sincerely repent for your sins. Allah Almighty through the blessings of this namaz will forgive your sins and accept your repentance. The first day of Shawwal is Eid ul Fitr. It is a day to seek forgiveness for one’s sins. Fasting on this day is forbidden. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) would always eat something sweet before proceeding on the Eid Ghah for Eid salat (Namaz).

The following are some of the things a person is recommended to do on Eid day.

• Take a hair cut (men only!)
• Brush ones teeth
• Cut ones nails
• To take a bath
• To wear new clothes or clean clothes
• To wear perfume
• To perform Fajr at a local mosque
• To hasten to Eid Ghah
• To eat odd numbers of dates before going to Eid Ghah or to eat something sweet
• To go to Eid Ghah one way and come back home another

The six fasts of Shawwal
Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The one who observes the fasts of Ramadan followed by six voluntary fasts of Shawwal, will be regarded as though he had fasted perpetually. Hazrat Jabir Ibn Abullah (Radi Allahu Anh) reports that the messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "He who obsreves six fasts after Eid ul Fitr, it will be as though he had fasted the whole year,- ie One who brings a pious deed will be rewarded ten.’ The fasts of Ramadan are equal to 10 months, the six fasts of Shawwal will be equal to 2 months, giving a total of 12 months or one year. Sadqa tul Fitr Wajib to every muslim on whom Zakat is Fard on behalf of himself and for all members of his family including minor children.

The amount of Sadqat ul Fitr should be inquired from the local Mosque. The Eid salat consists of two Rakats. The salat should be performed with Jama’at with an additional 6 Takbirs. When one begins salat you should make niyat (intention) like any other salat but say this in addition that Eid salat with six additional Takbirs and there is no need to say time of salat.

After Subhanakallah do three Takbirs. The Imam will say Allahu Akhbar and will raise his hands to his ears, you also raise your hands to your ears. Hree times and then finish first Rakat like normal salat. In second Rakat do second Rakat as you do any other Rakats and before going to Raku the Imam will say three Takbirs, he and raise your hands to the ears three times and then finish salat as any other salat. After salam Imam will give the Khutba just like Friday. Listening to Eid Khutba is Wajib. After Khutba do dua. When you go to Eid salat, you take one road and when you come back take a different road. It is Sunnat of our beloved Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and if it is possible to go in the mosque by foot. You ought to say this Takhbir while going and comming back from Eid salat: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illahu Wallahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd." In this month many anniversaries and celebrations take place.

The first of this month is thanksgiving day for all Muslims. This is called Eid ul Fitr. And on first day great Wali Hazrat Ibrahim Adum passed away and his Urs takes place by his devotees. The freat muslim Sultan Hazrat Mahmud Ghaznvi, who conqured India, passed away on the 3rd and Hazrat Kazam Ali Khan, grandfather of Imam Ahmed Raza Barelvi passed away on the 4th of this month. Hazrat Khawaja Usman Harooni passed awy on the 6th and Shaykh Abdul Aziz Muhiddith Dehlvi passed away on 12th of this month. Hazrat Abdul Aziz bin Hazrat Gaus Al-Azam Abdul Qadir on the 25th, Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the 28th Hazrat Shaykh Sa’idi Shirazi on the 3rd Hazrat Yahya Munri passed away on the 5th of this month (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum Ajmaeen). These special days are celebrated by all Muslims throughout the world. May Allah Ta’ala bless us all because of His beloved Awliya. Amen!