Reflections on the Day of ‘Eid Over the Blessed Month Which Has Passed

الحمد لله رب العالمين، وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، أما بعد

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah) said:

“Some of the Salaf stated that they would supplicate to Allaah for six months that He should cause them to reach the month of Ramadhaan. Thereafter they would supplicate to Allaah for six months (asking) that He accepts it from them.

‘Umar bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez (rahimahullaah) came out on the day of ‘Eidul Fitr and he said in his sermon: ‘O people; you have indeed fasted thirty days for Allaah, and stood (in prayer) for thirty nights, and today you have come out seeking from Allaah that He should accept it from you.’

Regarding some of the Salaf, then sadness would appear on them on the day of ‘Eidul Fitr, so it would be said to him: ‘it is a day of delight and happiness.’ So he would say: ‘you have spoken truthfully, however I am a servant, my Lord commanded me that I should carry out actions for Him, so I do not know; as to whether He will accept them from me or not.’

Wahab bin al-Ward saw a people laughing on the day of ‘Eid, so he said: ‘If these (people) have had their fasting accepted from them; then this is not the action of the grateful ones, and if their fasting has not been accepted from them, then this is not the action of the fearful ones.’

Al-Hasan (Al-Basree) said: ‘Indeed Allaah has made the month of Ramadhaan as a training course for His creation, they contest within it by way of obedience to (attaining) His pleasure, so a people preceded and were successful, whilst others stayed behind and were unsuccessful.’

What has escaped for the one for whom there has escaped the good of Ramadhaan?

And what is stood to be achieved for the one who within it achieved deprivation?

How much is there between the one whose portion within it was: acceptance and forgiveness, and the one whose portion within it was: failure and loss?

Perhaps the one who stood (in prayer) – his share from his standing was mere sleeplessness, and the one who fasted – his share from his fasting was mere hunger and thirst.”

(Taken – with slight abridgment from: Lataa-if al-Ma’aarif p.285-286)