The Night Preceding Eidul Fitr

THE NIGHT PRECEDING EIDUL FITR – LAYLATUL JAAIZAH

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The heart of the one who remains awake (in Ibaadat) during the night of Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-Adhaa will not die on the day when hearts will be dead.”

 

The month of Shawwaal is a virtuous month. Some of the virtues of the month are as follows:

  • The month of Shawwal is the neighbour of Ramadaan. It’s a great honour to be the neighbour of the auspicious month of Ramadaan.
  • With the beginning of Shawwaal, Sadaqatul Fitr becomes Waajib. Sadaqatul Fitr may be given before the Day of Eid.
  • The beginning of the Haj season commences with Shawwaal.
  • The night preceding Eidul Fitr is a very virtuous night. The night of Eid is the night which precedes the day of Eid, i.e. the night after sunset of the last of Ramadaan.
  • The first Day of Shawwal is Eidul Fitr which is a very great Day of Ibaadat and a day of joy and happiness to be observed within the limits of the Shariah.
  • Fasting 6 Days in Shawwaal has great rewards.

 

The month of Shawwaal begins with a very great day, the Day of Eidul Fitr. And as we know, the night precedes the day. Accordingly, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has stated that the night preceding Eidul Fitr is called ‘Laylatul Jaaizah’ which means the Night of ‘Prize-giving’. It is the night when a Mu’min is rewarded for his Ibaadat during the month of Ramadaan. This alone indicates the great virtue of the night preceding Eidul Fitr.

The Hadeeth quoted in the beginning exhorts us to endeavour to stay awake according to our ability on the Night of Eid and perform Ibaadat. On the day of Qiyaamah, the fear and terror of the occasion will shock the hearts of men and jinn. A death-like fear will pervade them. But the hearts of those who spent time during the nights of Eid in Ibaadat will remain fresh and alert. They come within the purview of the Qur’aanic Aayat:

 

“There will be no fear on them nor will they grieve”

 

The nights of Eid are wonderful nights of Ibaadat. Hence, we should understand that wasting the night in Kuffaar-style merrymaking is undoubtedly a sign of us not having understood why we had fasted in Ramadaan. Ramadaan is there to create in us the urge to perform Ibaadat and abstain from all sin throughout the year. So, if we show a negative attitude towards the commands of the Shariah on the night of Eid, then we need to take stock of ourselves and of our A’maal which we had carried out in Ramadaan.

 

THE FUQAHA ACCEPTED THE NIGHT PRECEDING EID TO BE A VIRTUOUS NIGHT.

 

(1) Imaam Shaafi’ee Rahimahullah has enumerated the Nights preceding Eid to be amongst those nights when Duas are accepted. (Kitaabul Umm).

 

(2) The Fuqaha are unanimous that remaining awake (for Ibaadah) is Mustahab on the nights preceding Eid. (Al-Majmoo’, Al-Madkhal Li-ibnil Haaj, Mawaahibul Jaleel, Kashhaaful Qinaa’, Bahrur Raaiq, Durrul Mukhtaar, Binaayah, Nurul Eedaah, Maraaqil Falaah, Minahul Jaleel, Nihaayatul Muhtaaj, etc. etc.)

 

From this, one may understand how unfortunate are those who waste the night in sin, futility and Haraam. One should spend the night in Ibaadat or rather go and sleep after Esha instead of indulging in futility and sin. Afterall, one should try to wake up for Tahajjud on the morning of Eid.

 

SOME WAYS PEOPLE WASTE THIS GREAT NIGHT

 

  • Amongst the worst of acts are watching Television, gossiping and these so-called Eid festivals which are without doubt, Haraam.
  • People indulge in Fireworks, which is Haraam.
  • Staying awake until late at night not for Ibaadat – but futility.
  • Indulging in sport and games on this night.
  • Listening to so-called ‘islamic’ radio stations – absolutely Haraam.
  • Frequenting restaurants. In fact, most of the so-called Halaal restaurants are in fact Haraam. The meat consumed is not slaughtered 100% according to the Shariah, Tasmiyah is not recited, animals are stunned and absolutely no supervision at the non-Muslim plants. In fact, the evidence condemning commercialized meats is overwhelming. Moreover, Haraam food leads to Haraam acts.
  • Visiting Malls and festivals on this night. Eid festivals, Eid Bazaars and Eid shows are Haraam! The night preceding Eid is for Ibaadat – not Kuffaar style partying and Shaitaani so-called fun.
  • Not performing Maghrib and Esha Salaah with Jamaat.
  • Missing Fajr Salaah with Jamaat.
  • Indulging in Bid’aat such as Moulood.
  • Lighting extra lamps and decorating houses or the Masaajid. This is in emulation of the Kuffaar.
  • It is shameless for women to prowl the streets, malls, food-outlets and it is even worse on Holy Nights like the Night of Eid. Allah Ta’ala commands women to remain at home. Women may only emerge from their homes for necessities recognized by the Shariah – not needs recognized by our thinking and imagination!
  • Squandering the valuable moments of such an auspicious night in chitchatting. After Esha, it is undesirable to indulge in worldly conversation. More so, this applies on the Night of Eid.
  • Shaitaani entertainment such as Naat & Nazm Jalsahs which are undoubtedly Haraam.
  • Having a Braai on the night of Eid. A braai takes up so much time. In fact, after Maghrib, we supposed to look first for the Shawwaal moon and we should not be negligent in this regard. Even if Ramadaan is 30 days, then too, we should not have braais which have turned into ‘braai and brabble’ outings of Nafsaaniyyat where many laws of the Shariah are violated.
  • A Muslim should not be at unsavoury venues at any time. On the night of Eid, it is worse to be at Haraam venues. Sportsfields, stadiums and wedding halls are not places which one should even put one’s foot in.
  • Being involved in Kuffaar sport like world cups, professional soccer, cricket or any other professional sports match. This diverts the mind away from Allah. People show much importance to the Haraam matches instead of showing importance to Awwabeen, Maghrib and Esha Salaah.
  • Families getting together and not upholding the Laws of Hijaab. Whilst it is not incumbent for families to get together, it is not permissible for them to gather which entails the Laws of Allah to be violated or compromised. We as Muslims should not compromise our Deen for anyone, since compromising the Deen is in fact a Haraam ploy of Shaitaan to take us away from Deen into Kufr, Bid’ah, Fisq and Fujoor. When it comes to Deen, there is simply no compromise!

 

Let us not invite Allah’s punishment with our flagrant sinning on the Night of Eid. How can it be that we spend the entire month of Ramadaan in Ibaadat and then literally throw away everything the night of Eid…. What a tragedy!

 

May Allah make it easy for us to be continuously in His Remembrance. Aameen