Contents

How does Ramadan start?.........................................................5 Fasting the month of Ramadan.................................................9 Who must fast?..........................................................................9 Integrals of fasting..................................................................10 Obligations upon the one not fasting.....................................12 Recommended deeds while fasting.........................................14 Types of blasphemy.................................................................15 The Night of Qadr.....................................................................19 Zakah of Fitr.............................................................................24 Recipients of Zakah..................................................................24 ^Id Prayer.................................................................................26 Recommended acts on the Day of ^Id......................................27 Takbirs of ^Id............................................................................28 Meaning of takbirs...................................................................29

How does the month of Ramadan start?

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may Allah raise the rank of our Master Muhammad, and protect his nation from what he fears for it. Fasting during Ramadan is among the best acts of obedience, among the greatest deeds, and one of the most important matters of Islam. The scholars of the four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence (madhhabs) agreed that the basis for determining the beginning of Ramadan is as follows: The crescent is observed with the naked eye after the sunset of the 29th day of Sha^ban1. If the crescent is sighted, then the following day will be the first day of Ramadan. If the

Sha^ban is the 8th month in the lunar Calendar (i.e. the month preceding Ramadan).

crescent was not in view, then the next day will be the 30th day of Sha^ban and the day after that will be the beginning of Ramadan. Muslims in all countries around the world have implemented this practice in determining the beginning and the end of Ramadan and the highly knowledgeable scholars have ruled accordingly. Moreover, they have stated that the reliance should be placed on this rule and no attention should be given to the sayings of mathematicians and astronomers. Prophet Muhammad ^ said what means: Begin fasting Ramadan upon seeing the crescent and end it upon seeing the crescent of the following month. But if the crescent is blocked from view, then complete the fast for 30 days. (Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Muslim in his Sahih and an-Nasaiyy and Ibn Majah in their Sunan through the route of Abu Hurayrah) Al-Bukhariyy, Muslim, and others narrated through the route of ^Abdullah Ibn ^Umar, may Allah raise his rank, that the Prophet ^ said what means: The lunar month is 29 nights, so do not fast until you sight the crescent. But if the crescent was blocked from view, then complete the month to 30. Imam Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud and An-Nasaiyy all narrated that the Prophet ^ said what means: We do not rely on writings or calculations to determine the beginning or the end of the month. The month is either 29 or 30 days.

Sayings of the four Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence

From The Hanafiyy School: Ibn ^Abidin, (died in 1252AH), in his annotations on Ad-durr Al-Mukhtar a well-known book said what means: The statement of the astronomers is not taken into consideration. i.e. in determining the beginning and end of Ramadan. Moreover, the book Al-Mi^raj states: Their sayings are not taken into consideration by the scholarly consensus and it is not permissible for the astronomer to fast relying on his own calculation.

From The Malikiyy School:

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Mayyarah Al-Malikiyy, (died in 1072 AH), in Addurr AthThamin said that Ash-Shahab Al-Qarafiyy, (died in 684 AH), related that Sanad, (died in 541 AH), said what means: If an imam (Muslim ruler) declared the beginning of fasting based upon calculations, then the Muslims must not follow him, because the scholars of the Salaf agreed, by consensus, that determining Ramadan by calculations is invalid. In Ash-Sharh al-Kabir Shaykh Ahmad ad-Dardir, (died in 1201AH), from the school of Imam Malik, said what means: It is stated that the beginning of Ramadan is not confirmed by the saying of an astronomer, neither for himself nor for others. From The Shafi^iyy School: In his book Asna Al-Matalib Sharh Rawd Attalib, Shaykh Zakariyya Al-Ansariyy, (died in 925AH), said what means: The calculations of the astronomers have no significance. They do not determine the obligation of fasting and it is a sin to rely on them for that purpose. The meaning of Ayah:

[16 ] (Surat An-Nahl) refers to deducing the direction of the Qiblah.

From The Hambaliyy School:

In his book, Kashshaf Al-Qina^, Al-Buhutiyy al-Hambaliyy, (died in 1051 AH), who is among the famous Hambaliyy scholars, said what means: If one intended to fast the 30th day of Sha^ban without relying on lawful evidence namely sighting the crescent or after completing Sha^ban 30 days then ones fasting is invalid. Take the case for instance of the one who based his fasting on calculations or astronomy because the horizon was blocked by clouds; his fasting is invalid because his basis is religiously invalid. This judgement stands even if in reality these calculations often coincided with the beginning of Ramadan. Similarly, the one who fasts after a night of clear sky based on calculations, his fasting is invalid for the same reason, even if valid testimony later revealed that the day had been the first of Ramadan. Conclusion Clearly, the Scholars of the four schools agree that no consideration should be given to the sayings of astrologers, astronomers and/or mathematicians for determining the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan. Moreover, many scholars conveyed the scholarly consensus on this ruling. Reliance should be placed upon sighting the crescent or completing 30 days of Sha^ban as mentioned by many numbers of scholars within these schools.

We advise every Muslim to abide by the sayings mentioned by the scholars of the four schools. The Muslim nation unanimously agreed on the high rank and integrity of those scholars. Let the Muslim learn the rules of fasting by studying under someone who possesses both knowledge and trustworthiness and is someone who has acquired the knowledge from another trustworthy and knowledgeable person, and so on until the continuous chain reaches right back to the Prophet ^ .

Fasting the Month of Ramadan

Fasting the month of Ramadan is an obligation and a great act of worship. It is among the best acts of obedience. In fasting there is a great reward. The obligation of fasting Ramadan on the believers is known from the Quran and the hadith. Allah said in Surat-ul-Baqarah Verse 183:

] [ {183}
Which means: O believers, fasting is an obligation upon you, as it was ordained upon the Muslim nations before you, to help you become pious. Fasting was an obligation on the nations before the nation of Prophet Muhammad ^ . However, fasting the month of Ramadan in particular is a specification for the nation of Prophet Muhammad ^ only. Consequently, for the one who has learned of its obligation, renouncing the obligation of fasting the month of Ramadan is blasphemy because it entails belying Allah and the Prophet ^ . Who Must Fast Ramadan Every accountable Muslim is obligated to fast the month of Ramadan. A young child is not obligated to fast. However, it is an obligation on the guardian of the child to order him or her to fast once the child reaches 7 (lunar) years of age, with the condition that the childs body can withstand fasting without being harmed. For one to be obligated to fast, one must be of sound mind. Fasting is not obligatory on the insane person. Fasting is not obligatory on a person whose body cannot tolerate fasting, either due to old age or severe illness. The one who is traveling a walking distance of two or more days (about 80 miles or 130 kilometers) is permitted to break ones fast, provided that ones reason for traveling is not

sinful, and one leaves the boundaries of his hometown before dawn. However, one must make up the missed days. Fasting is not obligatory on the menstruating woman, or the woman who is in her postpartum bleeding period. In fact, it is unlawful for them to fast. The woman who misses days of fasting during Ramadan for these reasons, has to make up the missed days. The pregnant woman is permitted to break her fast if she fears harm may come to her or her baby from fasting. This includes the breast-feeding woman as well. She is permitted to break her fast if she fears harm may come to her or her baby from fasting. Both must make up every missed day of fasting. Integrals2 Of Fasting It is obligatory to make the intention each night to fast the following day of Ramadan. This means to have the intention in ones heart during the night preceding the fasting day (i.e. after the sunset and before the dawn of the following day). If the menstrual or postpartum bleeding of a woman stops at night, then she must intend to fast the following day. One must abstain from inserting any substance into the head or the body cavity through an open inlet excluding ones pure tahir (saliva) while still inside the mouth between dawn and sunset. The open inlets of the body are the mouth, nose, ear, anus, and vagina. One must abstain from sexual intercourse and masturbation. Ones fasting is invalidated by forcing oneself to vomit either by inserting the finger into the mouth or otherwise. Finally, the Muslim must abstain from committing apostasy3 at all times. Apostasy takes one out of Islam. Apostasy invalidates fasting even if one returns to Islam immediately afterwards. After returning to Islam, one must abstain from eating and other fasting invalidators for the remainder of the day. Moreover, one must make up the invalidated day(s) of fasting after Ramadan.

Obligations upon the one not fasting during Ramadan

The obligation upon the one who does not fast during the month of Ramadan is classified into four categories: Making up all the missed days only.

An integral of fasting is that part of fasting without which the fasting is not valid.

Apostasy is invalidating ones Islam by committing a blasphemous belief, a blasphemous act, or a blasphemous saying.

Making up all the missed days and paying the fidyah4 (expiation). Paying the fidyah only. Making up all the missed days and fulfilling a kaffarah5. The first category would include the following: The sick person who is hopeful to be cured of his illness; The person who is traveling a walking distance of two or more days (about 80 miles); The menstruating woman or the woman who is in her postpartum bleeding period; The one who invalidates ones fast by other than having sexual intercourse; The pregnant or the breast-feeding woman who fears harm would come to her from her fasting; Each one of the above-mentioned must make up all the missed days without paying fidyah. The second category would include: The pregnant or the breast-feeding woman who fears harm would merely come to her baby from her fasting must make up every missed day of fasting in addition to paying the fidyah. The one who does not make up the missed days of fasting until the coming of the following Ramadan. In this case, one must make up every missed day of fasting in addition to paying the fidyah. Note: According to the Hanafiyy School the above-mentioned are only obligated to make up the missed days. The third category would include: The person whose body cannot tolerate fasting, due to an old age. Such a person is not obligated to fast, however, one pays fidyah to a poor Muslim for every missed day of fasting. The sick person who cannot fast due to an illness one is not hopeful to be cured of. Such a person does not have to make up the missed days of fasting, instead, one pays fidyah to a poor Muslim for every missed day of fasting.

The fidyah is one mudd which is a pair of average-sized hands cupped together filled with the most common staple food of the region.

A kaffarah is to free a Muslim slave; if unable, then to fast two consecutive lunar months; if unable, then to feed sixty (60) poor Muslims each the quantity of one mudd of the most common staple food of the region.

The fidyah in the Hanafiyy School is to feed a poor Muslim a lunch and a dinner, or a lunch and paying the value of a dinner or the opposite, or to pay half a sa^ (Abu Hanifah said that the sa^ is six mudds) of wheat, or one sa^ of dates, barley, or raisins, or to pay the value of it. The fourth category would include: The man who will fully engages in sexual intercourse during the day of fasting while knowing it is unlawful to do so and remembering that he is fasting, invalidates his fast. Such a person has to make up the invalidated day and fulfill the kaffarah. If the kaffarah left out, it cannot be compensated for by anything else. Recommended Deeds While Fasting It is recommended (Sunnah)6 to break ones fast as soon as one is sure that the time of the maghrib (sunset) prayer has begun. It is recommended to say the following statement upon breaking ones fast:

This means: O Allah, I fasted seeking your reward and with Your sustenance I broke my fast. It is also recommended to delay the sahur meal until a time close to the dawn, but one must not eat or drink after the dawn. Refraining from backbiting, cursing a Muslim, and other sins is more emphasized while fasting. In committing some sins, the reward of ones fasting might be lessened or lost. If someone curses another, let the one cursed abstain from responding with a similar curse. Instead, let him say: I am fasting. I am fasting. Paying the optional charity to the poor, reciting the Quran, staying in the mosque with the intention of i^tikaf, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan, praying the Tarawih prayer, and inviting others to break their fast on food which you provide are all rewardable acts.

Types of Blasphemy
The Scholars of the four madhhabs classified apostasy into three categories: beliefs in the heart, actions committed by certain parts of the body, and sayings with the tongue. Ar-Ramliyy, from the School of Imam ash-Shafi^iyy, classified apostasy into these three categories and gave examples of each in his book Explanation of Minhaj as did anNawawiyy in his book Rawdat at-Talibin.

Recommended (Sunnah) means it is rewardable if done with the proper intention, but if it is not done at all, one is not sinful.

Qadi ^Iyad and Muhammad ^illaysh from the Malikiyy School gave examples of these three types of apostasy. Likewise did Ibn ^Abidin and Badrur-Rashid from the Hanafiyy School and Al-Buhutiyy from the Hambaliyy School. As-Subkiyy said in his book At-Tabaqat: Imam Al-Ash^ariyy, his students and all Muslims agree that one becomes a blasphemer (kafir) by saying a blasphemous word or committing a blasphemous act. Such a person is not a believer in Allah, and shall remain in Hellfire forever, if one dies in that state, even if one knew the truth in his heart. This is a case of scholarly consensus (Ijma^), not even two Muslims would disagree on this matter. The muhaddith, hafidh, faqih7 and linguist Murtada az-Zabidiyy said: The scholars from the four madhhabs categorized apostasy into three types. Each one of these three categories of apostasy is divided into many subdivisions, and the scholars gave many examples of each. Apostate Beliefs Examples of the first category of apostasy are: Believing that anything other than Allah exists without a beginning. Qadi ^Iyad alMutawalli, ibn Hajar al-^Asqalaniyy and others established the scholarly consensus (Ijma^) on the blasphemy of the one who believes that the world exists without a beginning. Allah is the only One who exists without a beginning, and everything else is a creation of Allah and has a beginning. Renouncing any of the attributes of Allah commonly known among the Muslims such as His Power, Will, Knowledge, Hearing, Sight, Life and the like. Renouncing any of these attributes of Allah is blasphemous because the mind alone is sufficient to deduce that Allah must be attributed with these attributes (i.e. these attributes are intellectually necessary to be attributed to God and thus one would not be excused for being ignorant about these matters). Ibn al-Jawziyy said: There is scholarly consensus on the blasphemy of the one who denies the fact that Allah has Power over everything. Believing that Allah resembles any of His creations whether in His Self, or Attributes, or Creating is blasphemous. The one who believes that Allah is a body or light, or believes that Allah dwells in the heavens, or that He sits on the ^Arsh (Throne) is a blasphemer. All these are attributes of the creation and are non-befitting to attribute to the Creator. Had Allah been attributed with such attributes, He would have been similar to His creations.

A faqih is the one who is highly knowledgeable in the Religion.

Allah said in Surat-Ash-Shura, Ayah 11:

[11 ]
Which means: Nothing is like Him in any way. Had Allah been a body, He would have been susceptible to the things all bodies are susceptible to such as change, divisibility, needing to occupy a space and annihilation. These are impossible to be attributed to Allah as they are indications of shortage and weakness. Apostate Actions The second category of apostasy is apostate actions (i.e. actions committed by different parts of the body) includes: Prostrating to an idol. Knowingly throwing the Book of the Quran in the garbage. This was stated by Ibn ^Abidin and others for this action indicates belittlement. Apostate Sayings The third category of apostasy is the apostate sayings uttered with the tongue. They are very numerous, some examples are: To curse Allah, any of the prophets, or any of the angels (as stated by Qadi ^Iyad). To say to a Muslim: O blasphemer, while intending that the religion of the addressed person is blasphemy. To say about something that had happened: It didnt happen by the Will of Allah. It is also blasphemous for one to deem as lawful that which is commonly known among the Muslims to be unlawful (e.g. adultery, fornication, stealing, drinking alcohol) To deem as unlawful that which is commonly known among the Muslims to be lawful (e.g. selling, marriage). THE GENERAL RULE IS: any belief, action, or saying which belittles Allah, His Books, His Messengers, His Angels, His Rites, the well-known practices of His Religion, His Rules, His Promise, or His Threat is blasphemy. Hence, human beings must use the utmost caution to avoid blasphemy. It is an obligation upon the one who commits apostasy to immediately clear oneself of it and return to Islam by uttering the Testification of Faith8 (two shahadahs). One is also obligated to regret having committed apostasy and to intend not to repeat it in the future.

The Testification of faith is: No one is God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

A large number of faqihs like the Hanafiyy faqih, Badr-ur-Rashid (who lived around the 8th Hijriyy Century) and Qadi ^Iyad, may Allah ta^ala, have mercy upon them, enumerated many examples about the blasphemous sayings which one needs to know, because whoever does not know evil is more likely to fall into it.

The Night Of Qadr

The Night of Qadr is a very great night in the blessed month of Ramadan. The night of Qadr means the Night of Greatness and is the best night of the year. During this night, a great book, the Quran was copied from the Guarded Tablet and sent down to Baytul^Izzah in the first sky. Each year, during the Night of Qadr, great angels and great mercies come down to earth. This night is not specific to the nation of Prophet Muhammad ^. The night of Qadr coincided a night during the month of Ramadan of each year in the time of the previous prophets. However, what is specific for the nation of Prophet Muhammad ^ is that Allah ordered them to fast the whole month of Ramadan. In Surat al -Qadr, Allah, ta^ala, said:

{ 2} ] {1} { 3} {4} {{[ } 5}

The first verse means: The whole Quran was sent down as a complete book during the Night of Qadr. The Quran was copied from the Guarded Tablet and was sent down as a complete book to Baytul-^Izzah in the first sky. This occurred on the Night of Qadr in the month of Ramadan. Then, on the next day, Jibril came to the Prophet with the first five verses of Suratul-^Alaq making the beginning of the revelation to the Prophet ^ . Ibn Hibban narrated from Wathilah Ibn al-`Asqa^ that the Prophet ^ said what means: The Torah was sent down on the 6th night of Ramadan, the Injil on the 13th night, the Zabur on the 18th night, and the Quran on the 24th night of Ramadan. From this hadith the scholars understood that it is not a condition that the Night of Qadr falls on the 27th or the 29th of the month of Ramadan, although from other hadiths we know that this is most likely the case. Since the Night of Qadr might coincide any of the nights of Ramadan, the Muslims should put forth effort to pray optional prayers each night of Ramadan, seeking the promised reward granted to the one who prays this optional prayers during that night. Moreover, making an extra effort in performing acts of

worship especially during the last ten days of Ramadan is highly recommended, because in previous years the Night of Qadr coincided one of those nights. The second verse literally means: How would you (Muhammad) know what the Night of Qadr is? This means that before Allah informed you, you did not know what the merit of that Night is. This ayah is truly a question, which emphasizes the high status of this night and encourages the person to seek its goodness. The third verse is the answer to the previous question. It means: The reward one receives for praying during this night is greater than the reward one receives for performing prayers for a 1000 months where the Night of Qadr is not part of. The fourth verse means: The angels (in great numbers), including Jibril, descend from the sky to the earth during that night, and Allah gives them the knowledge of what is going to happen for the coming year. It was narrated through Abu-Hurayrah that the number of angels who will descend to earth during that night is more than the number of pebbles on earth. Jibril, who is referred to as ar-Ruh in this verse, will be among them. Al-Hakim narrated that during the Night of Qadr Jibril comes down to earth with a group of angels, and they make supplication (du^a) for every slave standing up or sitting down praising Allah. In another narration it is mentioned that these angels descend to earth at sunset and stay until dawn. During the Night of Qadr, Allah tabaraka wa ta^ala informs the angels about what is going to happen during this year and until the night of Qadr of the following year. Such information include the sustenance (rizq), births, deaths, calamities, enjoyments, the changes in the lives of the slaves, and the like. This is the meaning of min kulli amr (of all the matters) in the verse. Allah informs the angels about the details of the matters, which will happen in the current year and until the night of Qadr of the following year. In addition, the angels copy will be given some tasks to fulfil during that year. The fifth verse means: The night is full of safety, goodness, and blessings (for the obedient believer) until the break of dawn. Among the signs that validate ones seeing the Night of Qadr are: To see a great, clear light during the night other than the light of the sun, the moon, or electricity; To see the trees prostrating;

To hear the voices of angels; And to see the angels in their original form with two, three, four or more wings; The way the sun raises the next morning is an indication that the previous night was the Night of Qadr. Its light and heat would not be intense. It is a privilege and a very good sign for the person who sees the Night of Qadr and makes supplication (du^a) during it. A great reward is hoped for this person, and, by the will of Allah the supplication would be answered. At-Tirmidhiyy narrated from ^Aishah that she said: O Prophet of Allah, if I encounter the Night of Qadr, then what should I say? (What supplication should I make during it?) The Prophet ^ answered what means: Say: O Allah, You are the One who generously forgives and You command forgiveness hence I humbly ask You to forgive me. May Allah bless us with seeing this great Night and making supplication. The wisdom behind keeping the Night of Qadr unspecified for the slaves is to encourage them to pray during all the nights of Ramadan with the hope that they would obtain the great reward specified for those who pray during that night, whether one prays two or more rak^ahs. Reciting for a long duration of time while praying are is better than reciting for a short duration of time. Hence, praying a few rak^ahs with a long duration of recitation in each rak^ah is better than praying many rak^ahs with a short duration of recitation. Whether or not one sees any of the signs of the Night of Qadr, one will still receive the promised reward for praying during that night. Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim narrated that the Prophet ^ said: Allah will forgive the previous sins of those who pray during the Night of Qadr seeking Allahs reward. Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim also narrated from the route of ^Aishah that the Prophet ^ put special emphasis urging Muslims to pray during the last ten nights of Ramadan, since in most cases, the Night of Qadr falls on one of those nights. Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim also narrated that ^Aishah said: The Prophet ^ used to put forth effort in performing acts of worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan ... he used to pray the whole night and awaken his wives to pray.

They also related from the route of ^Aishah that the Prophet ^ used to make i^tikaf (stay in the mosque with a specific intention) during the last ten nights of Ramadan each year until he died. Praying during all the nights of Ramadan has a special and great reward. Prophet Muhammad ^ urged us to do that. O Allah, You are the One who generously forgives and You command forgiveness hence I humbly ask You to forgive me.

Zakah Of Fitr
The Fitr Zakah is due on every Muslim who is alive for part of Ramadan and part of Shawwal9. The due Zakah for each is a sa^10. It is an obligation upon the Muslim to pay the due Zakah for himself and his Muslim dependants if on the day of ^Id and the night after it one has enough to meet his debts, clothing, lodging, and sustenance, and the sustenance of those whom one must support. The man must pay the Fitr Zakah for his wife, non-pubescent children, slaves, and poor Muslim parents. He may not pay for his pubescent children or solvent parents without their permission. It is permissible to pay the Fitr Zakah any time during Ramadan, even on the first night. However, it is recommended to pay it during the day of ^Id before the ^Id Prayer, because this mends the hearts of the poor people before the Prayer. It is prohibited to delay paying the Fitr Zakah until after the sunset of the day of ^Id without an excuse. Note: In the Hanafiyy School the due Fitr Zakah for each is half a sa^ of wheat, or a sa^ of barley, dates, or raisins, or the value of it. (The sa^ according to Imam Abu Hanifah is six mudds). Recipients Of Zakah For all types of Zakah, the intention is obligatory upon setting ones Zakah aside. Zakah must be paid to the Muslims who meet the requirement among the eight categories deserving of Zakah. The eight categories deserving of Zakah are: (Fuqara): Those who are poor and who earn less than half of their basic needs. (Masakin): Those who are poor and who earn half or more yet less than what meets all their basic needs.

The 10th month in the lunar Calendar, (i.e. the month following Ramadan).

10

The sa^ is four times a pair of average sized hands cupped together filled with the most common staple food of ones region.

(Al-^amilun ^alayha): The Zakah workers who are assigned by the caliph. (Al-muallafatu qulubuhum): The new converts to Islam whose hearts are to be reconciled. (Riqab): The slaves who are short in satisfying their contract for purchasing their freedom from their owners. (Gharimun): Those who are unable to pay their debts. (Fi sabilillah): The volunteer fighters. (Ibn-us-sabil): The travellers who are unable financially to reach their destination. It is neither permissible nor valid to pay Zakah to other than those eight types of people specifically mentioned. That is why it is not valid to pay Zakah as funding for any charitable project such as building a mosque or the like. It is not permissible to pay Zakah to any member of the Hashim or al-Muttalib clan. Hashim and al-Muttalib were brothers, the sons of ^Abdu-Manaf one of the great grandfathers of prophet Muhammad ^ .

^Id Prayer
^Id prayer can be performed in congregation or individually any time between sunrise and the setting time of the Noon Prayer. The best time for performing the ^Id prayer is after the sun has reaches the height of a spear (approximately 20 minutes after sunrise). However if one missed the ^Id Prayer one can make it up. The ^Id prayer is not preceded by adhan (the call to announce the prayer time) or iqamah (the call to start the prayer). The one who performs the ^Id prayer, must satisfy the conditions and avoid the invalidators of prayer. The ^Id prayer is two rak^ahs. It is initiated with the opening takbir, with the intention to perform the ^Id prayer. This is followed by seven takbirs. After each takbir (except for the seventh takbirs) one recites the following: (subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wala ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar). Then one recites al-Isti^adhah11, Suratul-Fatihah and Surat Qaf or Surat al-A^la. In the second rak^ah one says five takbirs before reciting the Fatihah followed by Surat al-Qamar or Surat al-Ghashiyah. If one starts with the Fatihah leaving out any or the entire takbirs, ones prayer is still valid, however one would miss out on the reward of the takbirs. In this case, one should continue with ones prayer order.

11

Al-Isti^adhah is seeking refuge with Allah from the devil by saying A^udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim.

After the prayer, it is recommended that the imam delivers two speeches starting with nine takbirs in the first khutbah and seven in the second. The imam may teach the people significant matters pertaining to Zakatul-Fitr.

Recommended acts on the Day of ^Id

It is Sunnah on the day of ^Id to do the following: To have the purificatory bath before going to the prayer; To wear perfume; To clip ones fingernails; To wear the best of ones clothes; To return home via a different route from that which one took to go to the place of prayer; To go early to the mosque except for the imam; To eat something such as dates or the like before going to the prayer; To walk to the place of prayer; To recite the takbirs of ^Id repeatedly. This is highly recommended and its time starts after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan and ends when the imam says the opening takbir of the ^Id prayer. This can be attained by one saying in ones home, market places, mosques, and while walking the streets. Congratulating one another on the day of ^Id for performing the acts of worship during Ramadan and asking Allah to accept their good deeds is also rewardable, as stated by Ibn Hajar and Al-Bayhaqiyy . It is Sunnah to spend the night preceding the day of ^Id in acts of worship such as praying. It is Sunnah muakkadah to pray the ^Id prayer as Prophet Muhammad ^ used to pray every ^Id Prayer.

Takbirs Of ^Id
Allahu akbarullahu akbarullahu akbar, La ilaha illallah. Allahu akbar Allahu akbar wa lillahi-hamd. (3 times) Allahu akbaru kabira Wal-hamdu lillahi kathira, Wa subhanallahi wa bihamdihi bukratawwa asila.

La ilaha illallahu wahdah, Sadaqa wa^dah, wa nasara ^abdah, Wa a^azza jundahu, Wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah La ilaha illallah, Wa la na^budu illa Iyyah. Mukhlisina lahud-Dina Wa law karihal-kafirun Allahumma salli ^ala (sayyidina) Muhammad, Wa^ala ali (sayyidina) Muhammad, Wa^ala ashabi (sayyidina) Muhammad, Wa^ala ansari (sayyidina) Muhammad, Wa^ala azwaji (sayyidina) Muhammad, Wa^ala dhurriyyati (sayyidina) Muhammadiw-Wa sallim tasliman kathira. Rabbi ghfir li wa liwalidayya rabbirhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.

Meaning Of The ^Id Takbir

Allah is The Greatest.(I.e. in status) No one is God except Allah. Allah is The Greatest and Praise is due to Allah. Allah is The Greatest. And much praise is due to Allah. We clear Allah of all the attributes of imperfection and praise Him in the morning and in the evening. No one is God except Allah He (Allah) fulfilled His promise and gave Victory to His slave (The Prophet). He strengthened His soldiers and by His Power the ahzab were defeated. No one is God except Allah. We do not worship anyone but Him. Our worship is dedicated only to Him. Even if the non believers hate it. We ask Allah to raise the status of (our master) Muhammad, And the Al (wives and Muslim relatives) of our (master) Muhammad,

And the sahabah (companions) of our (master) Muhammad, And the ansar (the people of Madinah who supported the Prophet) of our (master) Muhammad, And the wives of our (master) Muhammad, And the descendents of our (master) Muhammad, And save the (Muslim) Nation of our (master) Muhammad. O Allah forgive me and my parents and have mercy on them for the great effort they put to raise me.