Then the imam says silently a'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim (i.e. ‘I seek shelter with Allah against Satan, the accursed.’) He then recites the Qur’an aloud, reciting after al-Fatihah Surah Al Al'ala (87) in the first rak'ah and Surah Al Ghashia (88) in the second, as it is reported by Jabir ibn Samurah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did that
Description of Eid prayer: The Eid prayer consists of two rak'ahs, similar to the Friday prayer, In the first rak'ah and after the Takbeer (glorification), Allah-u akbar, and the opening supplication, the same after that, al-Fatiha and another surah are recited glorification of takbeer is repeated seven more times, after that, al-Fatiha and another surah are recited . In the second rak'ah the same takbeer is repeated five times, other than the takbeer for standing up from sujood before reciting al-Fatihah. This is based on the hadith.
It is recommended to start the Eid al-Adha prayer at the beginning of its time range and to delay the Eid al-Fitr prayer because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did that. People need to attend to their sacrifice after the prayer at Eid al-Adha, while the delay in Eid al-Fitr prayer helps a person who has not yet paid Zakat al-Fitr to pay it, as it must be paid up to immediately before the prayer.
The Eid prayer becomes due at the time when the Sunnah prayer known as Duha is due, which means it starts when the sun has risen in the sky about one spear’s length. This is when the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his successors used to offer it, and prior to the sun being at that height, prayer is discouraged.
The spiritual concept of fasting1-Fasting is a means of expressing one’s gratitude for Allah’s blessings. It stops a person from eating, drinking and sex, which are some of Allah’s great blessings. To refrain from them for a considerable time is to show one’s appreciation of these blessings.
2-Fasting is a means to maintain a God-fearing attitude.
3-Fasting overcomes desire. When man eats a full meal, he thinks of satisfying other desires.
4-Fasting encourages people to be compassionate and kind to those who are in need.
5-Fasting puts the rich and the poor on the same level, as they will all bear the same pain of hunger. This increases one’s reward.
6-Fasting helps to overcome the temptation presented by Satan, who exploits human desires to lead people away from Allah’s path, and such desires are always stronger when one eats and drinks.
7-Fasting helps man to disregard the fleeting pleasures of this life and to look for the lasting happiness in the life to come.
Itikaf means committing oneself to something, but in Islamic contexts it refers to the staying in seclusion in a mosque, by a Muslim who knows what he is doing, for the worship of Allah.Islam recommends Muslims to practise this Sunnah and stay in the mosque in the last 10 nights of Ramadan when they should devote more of their time to worship. The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) practice in these 10 nights was to devote all his time to worship, staying up every night, eager to be attending to his worship on the Night of Decree which falls in one of these 10 nights.
Fasting and its effect in life1-It is a commitment to obeying Allah and, as such, it helps to refrain from sin.
2-It provides good training to tolerate hardship with a cheerful manner.
3-It reminds us of Allah’s favours, as He has given us good food and drink and allowed us sex with our spouses. When we refrain from these during the day, we better appreciate Allah’s blessings.
4-It serves as a reminder of the need of our poor brethren.
5-Man fulfils the meaning of servitude to Allah through fasting.
6-Fasting helps anyone who is addicted to something forbidden to overcome his addiction.
The Night of Power is a night of great significance, including:
1- It is the night when the Qur’an was bestowed.
2-On this night Allah determines everything that takes place in the year ahead.
3-It is a blessed night.
4-Worship on this night is better rewarded than worship over one thousand months.
5-The angel Gabriel and other angels descend with blessings, goodness and forgiveness on that night.
6-The Night of Decree is a night of peace.
Values to be observed by fasting people
1-Every Muslim must avoid telling lies, backbiting and cursing at all times, but this is even more strongly required in Ramadan.
2-Desisting from lewdness and foul language, as well as from answering those who use such language.
3-A Muslim must protect himself and his body against committing any sin at all times, but this is more emphasized in Ramadan.
What invalidates fasting1-Eating or drinking deliberately.2-Sexual intercourse.3-Deliberate vomiting.4-Cupping.5-Menstruation and postnatal bleeding.6-Intending to break the fast.
conditions must apply for the duty of fasting to be valid
1-Being a Muslim.
2-Puberty.
3-Sanity.
4-Sound health.
5-Being in one’s place of residence.
6-Women who are in their period or having postnatal bleeding may not fast.
As Ramadan is a lunar month, its beginning is determined by the sighting of the new moon. Thus, if someone sights the new moon himself, or confirms its sighting by a Muslim person of integrity, or gets to know of it, the month is deemed to have started. If the new moon is not sighted, and no Muslim testifies to sighting it, it becomes obligatory to complete the preceding month, Shaban 30 days. The beginning of Ramadan can only be confirmed by one of these two ways: the sighting of the new moon or completing the month of Sha'ban 30 days.