The Virtues Of The Night Of Eid

[ummtaalib]

 

 

 

Hadhrat Abu Umamah (RA) narrates that Rasulullaah (SAW) said, "The heart of the person who stands in worship on the two nights of Eid (Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adhaa), shall not die on the day that hearts will die (on the Day of Qiyaamah)." {Ibn Maajah as quoted in Targheeb}

 

EXPLANATION : According to a narration of Tabraani, Rasulullaah (SAW) cited this reward for the person who "gave life to" the nights of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adhaa. This means that the person engaged in Ibaadah (acts of worship) during these nights, which include Dhikr, Tasbeeh, joining family ties and doing other forms of good as well. One should bear in mind that treating one's family and friends with love and affection and ensuring that one's relationship with them remains cordial is also an act of Ibaadah which one may engage in during these auspicious nights.

 

The meaning of Rasulullaah (SAW)'s statement that such a person's heart will not die on the Day of Qiyaamah is that this person will not appear to be in a state of intoxication like other people who will seem to be drunk because of their extreme fear and worry. This fearful and comatose condition of people will be a dreadful form of punishment which will result from the frightful nature of the Day of Qiyaamah. While people will be suffering like this, the person who devoted the nights of Eid to Allaah's worship shall be receiving bounties and will be far removed from distress. They shall remain happy with every type of bounty at their feet. May Allaah include us amongst these fortunate people.

 

It is therefore apparent that the nights of Eid are extremely virtuous and should be appreciated. We can show our appreciation by reciting Durood and engaging in Dhikr and other forms of Ibaadah during these nights. If one is unable to stay awake the entire night, one should spend as much time as possible engaged in Ibaadah. The very least that one can do is to perform the Isha and Fajr salaah in congregation (Jamaa'ah) together with Takbeer Ula (the very beginning of the salaah when the Imaam says "Allaahu Akbar"). Between these two salaahs, one should try to engage in Dhikr and other forms of Ibaadah to the best of one's ability. By doing this, it is strongly hoped that Allaah shall not deprive one of the immense rewards of these nights.

 

Five Blessed Nights

Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal (RA) narrates that Rasulullaah (SAW) said, "Jannah is compulsory for the person who gives life to five nights; (these nights are) the night of Tarwiyah (8th Dhul Hijjah), the night of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah), the night of Nahr (Eidul Adhaa viz. 10th Dhul Hijjah), the night of Eidul Fitr and the night in the middle of Shabaan (15th Shabaan). {Isfahaani}

 

 

EXPLANATION : The above Hadith makes it clear that that person who engages in Ibaadah during five nights among which are the nights of the two Eids, shall have the great boon of Jannah as his/her reward. To sacrifice only five nights from the hundreds of nights in a year is not such a difficult task when one considers that many nights one sacrifices for worldly activities. We find so many night watchmen staying awake the entire night just as many other people do when their employment requires them to work the night-shift. When these people do this for small monetary gains, why should one not sacrifice just a few nights to be saved from the terrible chastisement of the Day of Qiyaamah and to enter the everlasting bliss of Jannah? This is certainly not beyond us! We should therefore fight Shaytaan and our carnal passions to resolve that we shall not waste these valuable nights. We should use Dhikr, Ibaadah, Tasbeeh and all acts of virtue to give life to these nights to the best of our ability.

 

Alislam.co.za