Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is observed by Muslims around the world in commemoration of one of the greatest trials of faith in the life of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham — upon whom be peace). In Muslim and Judeo-Christian traditions, it is related that, as a test of Hazrat Ibrahim’s faith, the Almighty calls upon him to sacrifice his beloved son. At the moment of the sacrificial act, a Merciful intervention spared his son’s life. The Holy Qur’an says:
“We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim, you have already fulfilled the vision’ – thus indeed we reward the righteous… indeed this was a manifest trial…”
— Surah 37, Ayats 104–106
The Qur’an refers to Prophet Ibrahim as a Muslim — one who leads a life of devotion and willing submission to Allah — and confirms that many great prophets were descended from him, including Prophet Musa (Moses — upon whom be peace), Prophet Isa (Jesus — upon whom be peace), as well as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). The notion that divine guidance is vested in the family of Prophet Ibrahim is firmly established in the Qur’an:
“Allah did choose Adam and Nuh, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of Imran above all people; Offspring, one from the other, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
— Surah 3, Ayats 33–34
In Shia tradition and belief, divine guidance, which Allah vested in the descendants of Hazrat Ibrahim, continued in Prophet Muhammad, the last and final Messenger of Allah, after whom, at Divine Command, the authority for guidance devolved upon his cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Ali and vests thereafter in the Imams in the progeny of Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Bibi Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.
Through the remembrance of the Prophet of Allah, who is venerated in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Eid al-Adha also celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the Ahl al-Kitab — the People of the Book. In the words of Mawlana Hazar Imam:
“The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims is governed by the duty of loving care to help nurture each life that is born to its God-given potential.”
— Mawlana Hazar Imam in Houston, USA, 23 June 2002.
Eid Mubarak!
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/909/Eid-alAdha
EID MUBARAK
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Ismaili insight Midwestern United States • Monday, May 25, 2020
The Ismaili has released a new song in commemoration of Eid ul-Fitr! Listen to "Ya Allah – You are the One" in which the children of the global Jamat express their wishes, and their thanks to Allah for the grace and blessings in our lives.
Ismaili Insight <newsletters@ismailiinsight.org>
The Ismaili has released a new song in commemoration of Eid ul-Fitr! Listen to "Ya Allah – You are the One" in which the children of the global Jamat express their wishes, and their thanks to Allah for the grace and blessings in our lives.
Ismaili Insight <newsletters@ismailiinsight.org>
For Senegal’s Biggest Holiday, a Shortage of the All-Important Sheep
Properly celebrating Tabaski, as Eid al-Adha is known in Senegal, requires a sacrificial sheep. Coronavirus restrictions have made the animals more expensive, putting them out of reach of many.
MISSIRAH, Senegal — The couscous was all ready for the lunchtime crowd in Yassin Dicko’s restaurant near one of the biggest sheep markets in Senegal.
But except for family members, the place was empty. Ms. Dicko’s usual customers, shepherds from Mauritania, had not shown up. She looked outside to the vast holding area where just a few meager herds of sheep trotted around, their bleating oddly human.
While the corrals in Missirah, in central Senegal, are usually packed with sheep at this time of year, hardly any salesmen had shown up. Almost no buyers either.
“This is a real crisis,” she said.
It was 13 days before Tabaski, the Senegalese version of Eid al-Adha, the biggest religious celebration of the year in the country, which is about 95 percent Muslim.
No sheep for the Tabaski feast for a Muslim Senegalese family is like no presents at Christmas for a Christian one, and in the two weeks before the holiday, which takes place this year on July 31, there is usually a shopping rush for the animals.
But monthslong government-imposed measures to contain the coronavirus — borders closed, markets shuttered and travel severely restricted — have been financially devastating for many people in Senegal, putting a purchase of great cultural and social importance beyond the reach of many this year.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/worl ... 778d3e6de3
Properly celebrating Tabaski, as Eid al-Adha is known in Senegal, requires a sacrificial sheep. Coronavirus restrictions have made the animals more expensive, putting them out of reach of many.
MISSIRAH, Senegal — The couscous was all ready for the lunchtime crowd in Yassin Dicko’s restaurant near one of the biggest sheep markets in Senegal.
But except for family members, the place was empty. Ms. Dicko’s usual customers, shepherds from Mauritania, had not shown up. She looked outside to the vast holding area where just a few meager herds of sheep trotted around, their bleating oddly human.
While the corrals in Missirah, in central Senegal, are usually packed with sheep at this time of year, hardly any salesmen had shown up. Almost no buyers either.
“This is a real crisis,” she said.
It was 13 days before Tabaski, the Senegalese version of Eid al-Adha, the biggest religious celebration of the year in the country, which is about 95 percent Muslim.
No sheep for the Tabaski feast for a Muslim Senegalese family is like no presents at Christmas for a Christian one, and in the two weeks before the holiday, which takes place this year on July 31, there is usually a shopping rush for the animals.
But monthslong government-imposed measures to contain the coronavirus — borders closed, markets shuttered and travel severely restricted — have been financially devastating for many people in Senegal, putting a purchase of great cultural and social importance beyond the reach of many this year.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/worl ... 778d3e6de3
Eid Mubarak
Original composition by Zahira Dhalwani in celebration of Eid.
Lyrics, composition, music, vocals and recording: Zahira Dhalwani
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo
Original composition by Zahira Dhalwani in celebration of Eid.
Lyrics, composition, music, vocals and recording: Zahira Dhalwani
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo
Canada Post to issue Eid stamp April 22
Canada Post will issue its third stamp in celebration of Eid on April 22.
The new nondenominated permanent-rate stamp (currently 92¢) features a stylized evening scene as viewed through a decorative arched window. A large crescent moon and nine five-point stars appear in the sky above gentle rolling hills in the background.
Canada’s first Eid stamp was issued May 24, 2017 (Scott 2998), and the second was released April 24, 2020 (3239).
The designs of the first and second Eid stamps include Arabic script that reads “Eid Mubarek,” which means “Have a blessed Eid” in translation.
In announcing the new Eid stamp on its website, Canada Post said, “Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) and Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) are two of the most important religious holidays in Islam. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the most sacred month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid al-Adha commemorates the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca — the holiest site in Islam.”
The Kaaba, which stands at the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the most sacred site in Islam.
Eid al-Adha pays tribute to the determination of Abraham to sacrifice his son as God had instructed him. Abraham’s willingness to offer his son’s life demonstrated his obedience to God.
“Both festivals embody core Islamic values. They also focus on charitable works, including helping others and sharing with the less fortunate. More than one million Muslims in Canada celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha,” Canada Post said.
The crescent moon is a powerful symbol of the Islamic faith. Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha begin when the new moon is seen, according to Canada Post.
This year Eid al-Fitr will commence on the evening of May 12 and conclude on the evening of May 13. Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of July 19 and end on the evening of July 23.
Lionel Gadoury, Andrew Conlon and Brad Pyn of Context Creative, a design firm based in Toronto, Ontario, designed the new Eid stamp. The stamp measures 28 millimeters by 38mm. It was printed by Lowe-Martin in booklets of 10 (product no. 414165111) using seven-color lithography. A total of 1.2 million stamps (120,000 booklets of 10) were produced.
Canada Post also is offering an official first-day cover (product no. 414165131) with 7,000 FDCs serviced in Montreal, Quebec.
Canada Post stamps and related items are available online. Stamps and FDCs are available by mail order from Canada Post Customer Service, Box 90022, 2701 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 1J8 Canada; or by telephone from the United States or Canada at 800-565-4362, and from other countries at 902-863-6550.
They also are available from many new-issue stamp dealers, and from Canada Post’s agent in the United States: Interpost, Box 400, Hewlett, NY 11557.
https://www.linns.com/news/world-stamps ... p-april-22
Canada Post will issue its third stamp in celebration of Eid on April 22.
The new nondenominated permanent-rate stamp (currently 92¢) features a stylized evening scene as viewed through a decorative arched window. A large crescent moon and nine five-point stars appear in the sky above gentle rolling hills in the background.
Canada’s first Eid stamp was issued May 24, 2017 (Scott 2998), and the second was released April 24, 2020 (3239).
The designs of the first and second Eid stamps include Arabic script that reads “Eid Mubarek,” which means “Have a blessed Eid” in translation.
In announcing the new Eid stamp on its website, Canada Post said, “Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) and Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) are two of the most important religious holidays in Islam. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the most sacred month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid al-Adha commemorates the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca — the holiest site in Islam.”
The Kaaba, which stands at the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the most sacred site in Islam.
Eid al-Adha pays tribute to the determination of Abraham to sacrifice his son as God had instructed him. Abraham’s willingness to offer his son’s life demonstrated his obedience to God.
“Both festivals embody core Islamic values. They also focus on charitable works, including helping others and sharing with the less fortunate. More than one million Muslims in Canada celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha,” Canada Post said.
The crescent moon is a powerful symbol of the Islamic faith. Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha begin when the new moon is seen, according to Canada Post.
This year Eid al-Fitr will commence on the evening of May 12 and conclude on the evening of May 13. Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of July 19 and end on the evening of July 23.
Lionel Gadoury, Andrew Conlon and Brad Pyn of Context Creative, a design firm based in Toronto, Ontario, designed the new Eid stamp. The stamp measures 28 millimeters by 38mm. It was printed by Lowe-Martin in booklets of 10 (product no. 414165111) using seven-color lithography. A total of 1.2 million stamps (120,000 booklets of 10) were produced.
Canada Post also is offering an official first-day cover (product no. 414165131) with 7,000 FDCs serviced in Montreal, Quebec.
Canada Post stamps and related items are available online. Stamps and FDCs are available by mail order from Canada Post Customer Service, Box 90022, 2701 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 1J8 Canada; or by telephone from the United States or Canada at 800-565-4362, and from other countries at 902-863-6550.
They also are available from many new-issue stamp dealers, and from Canada Post’s agent in the United States: Interpost, Box 400, Hewlett, NY 11557.
https://www.linns.com/news/world-stamps ... p-april-22
The state of Texas on Eid al-Fitr
***BREAKING NEWS FOR MUSLIMS TEXANS***
The state of Texas just passed a bill in its 8th Legislature, and it reads as follows:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
TXHB 1231| 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature.
A BILL TO BE ENTERED AS AN ACT
relating to the designation of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as optional holidays.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION1. Sections 662.003 (3), Government Code, is amended to read as follows;
(c) An “Optional holiday” included only the days on which Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adah, or Good Friday falls.
Section 2. This act takes effect on September 1, 2021.
Thanks to our friend Mr. Amir Rupani who made this possible. Mr. Rupani is one of the most influential Muslims in Texas.
Mahatma Gandhi had said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”. Yes, it is always good to be a part of society to bring change. Mr. Rupani sets that example; he is a Republican and has been a friend of George Bush, Rick Perry, and Greg Abbot and has had accomplished several proclamations and declarations.
Thanks to Gov. Abbot, Texas Legislature, and Mr. Rupani.
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, and author, and interfaith wedding officiant. He is the founder of the Center for Pluralism and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the policymakers. His book American Muslim Agenda is available on Amazon. The second edition is coming with a new title American Muslim by July 4th with added chapters.
***BREAKING NEWS FOR MUSLIMS TEXANS***
The state of Texas just passed a bill in its 8th Legislature, and it reads as follows:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
TXHB 1231| 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature.
A BILL TO BE ENTERED AS AN ACT
relating to the designation of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as optional holidays.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION1. Sections 662.003 (3), Government Code, is amended to read as follows;
(c) An “Optional holiday” included only the days on which Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adah, or Good Friday falls.
Section 2. This act takes effect on September 1, 2021.
Thanks to our friend Mr. Amir Rupani who made this possible. Mr. Rupani is one of the most influential Muslims in Texas.
Mahatma Gandhi had said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”. Yes, it is always good to be a part of society to bring change. Mr. Rupani sets that example; he is a Republican and has been a friend of George Bush, Rick Perry, and Greg Abbot and has had accomplished several proclamations and declarations.
Thanks to Gov. Abbot, Texas Legislature, and Mr. Rupani.
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, and author, and interfaith wedding officiant. He is the founder of the Center for Pluralism and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the policymakers. His book American Muslim Agenda is available on Amazon. The second edition is coming with a new title American Muslim by July 4th with added chapters.
The Eid Mubarak Song | Mira, Royal Detective |
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVrTe2glFKg
It's the Eid al-Fitr holiday and Sadia teaches Mira, Mikku and Chikku what the holiday is all about!
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVrTe2glFKg
It's the Eid al-Fitr holiday and Sadia teaches Mira, Mikku and Chikku what the holiday is all about!
Chand Raat of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr, 12th May 2021
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON MAY 12, 2021
By: Sadruddin Noorani, Chicago, USA
The term Eid al-Fitr means “the feast of breaking the fast“. The phrase is composed of two words: Eid meaning a recurring festivity; and Fitr meaning to break, referring to the breaking of the cycle of fasting, seeking piety, spiritual fulfillment and forgiveness. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide since the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), marking the end of the month of Ramadan and it marks an occasion on which we thank Allah for His gift of the Holy Qur’an, for all His mercy and benevolence bestowed upon us. Fasting reinforces the virtues of patience and self-discipline, as well as offering an opportunity to express our gratitude to God by sharing our extra resources with those in need.
The notions of sharing and generosity are amongst the central ethical principles of Islam, and part of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Hazrat ‘Ali and our Imams (a.s). According to a tradition, once a poor Bedouin asked the Prophet, how he could help? The Prophet advised him to carry water on his camel for those who did not have daily access to it. In another hadith narrated by al-Bukhari, the Prophet invoked blessings for a woman who had cared for a stray dog. When she saw a thirsty dog, she took off her sock and tied it to her veil to draw some water from the well. For her generosity and kindness, the Prophet prayed for her.
Source: Salim- Sulaiman (YouTube)
Jazaak Allah | Javed Ali, Salim Sulaiman | Irfan Siddiqui | Merchant Records | Eid 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxqbPX_yBd8
Thus, acts of kindness, generosity and sharing, no matter how small, are important expressions of the social conscience in Islam. As Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in Sura al-Baqara, 177:
Righteousness is not in turning one’s face to the East or the West. Rather, in the eyes of Allah, righteous are those who believe in Allah and give of what they have out of the love of Allah to those in need.
In Islam, the expression of piety has two aspects: (a) prayer and other acts of devotion on the one hand, and (b) manifestations of social responsibility and generosity on the other. These two expressions are not independent; rather, they are two intertwined dimensions of faith.
God expects the believers to bear the responsibilities of creating an enabling environment and to make meaningful contributions to the improvement of the quality of life of people in their communities.
With Muslims living in different countries, having distinctive cultures and diverse traditions, celebration of Eid incorporates local customs and traditions. Generally, Eid al-Fitr commences with special recitation of congregational prayers, in which we thank God for His bounties and mercies.
In the morning of Eid al-Fitr, families, friends and community congregate for Eid prayers in which according to tradition, verses are recited from the Holy Qur’an. Two Surahs are recited in each Rak’at, the first of which is always Surah al-Fatiha and the second Surah we recite is Surah al-Ikhlas; this is followed by Du’a i Qunut which forms the major portion of the Eid Namaz as it is recited five times in the first Rak’at and four times in the second Rak’at.
Meaning of Du’a i Qunut: ‘O Our Lord! In thy Mercy give unto us in this world that which is good and, in the hereafter too, that which is good, and guard us from the chastisement of Hell. O merciful of all Merciful, O Lord, I am helpless so help me – I seek from You blessings of this day of Eid which You have made for Muslims. There is no deity except Allah, the Forbearing, the Bounteous. There is no deity except Allah the Exalted, Magnificent. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven Heavens and the Lord of seven earths and what is within them and what is between them and Who is the Lord of the glorious Throne. And all praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer of all beings.
Eid prayer continues with: “O Lord, have mercy on Muhammad (pbuh) and his progeny.” “God hears one who praises Him.” “God is Great!” “We turn to Allah in repentance and beseech Him for forgiveness.” “With the help of Allah and His strength, I rise and sit.” At the completion of Eid Namaz, we recite Tashahhud which concludes by prayer of peace (salaam). This is followed by celebration and rejoicing throughout the day with expressions of affection towards friends, gathering of families and exchange of greetings and gifts.
In the Muslim tradition, Eid is both a personal and a social festivity. It is a time to maintain the practice of prayer and self-restraint to enhance taqwa, that is God-consciousness, in our lives. In Nahj al-Balagha, Imam ‘Ali (a.s) says:
Every day in which one does not commit a sin is [a day of] Eid.
Picture source: Ismaili Civic (Facebook) Click link to read: Calgary food bank gets 2,359 kg donation from Ismaili community to mark Ramadan | CBC News
Amidst all this celebration, this is also a time for us to be grateful to God, to forgive and forget any wrongs that have been committed against us, a time to remember the less fortunate, and to extend compassion and kindness, support, and generosity to others. This obliges us to be thoughtful, responsive to the needs of our families, our communities, our neighborhoods, our nation, and all mankind. Faith is not simply a set of beliefs held as philosophical ideals. Rather, it is a commitment that must be reflected in our lives and guide us to engage with the world around us. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that we have a responsibility to those that are less privileged than us, and assures us of the many rewards for generosity and charity:
“For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold, and they shall have a liberal reward.” 57:18
“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s way is as the likeness of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” 2:261
It is important to note that in the verses referenced above, the act of generosity towards fellow human beings is elevated to the level of “spending in God’s way” and as a “Good Loan” – or qarz-e hasanah – to God.
During the Fatimid period of Islamic history, it was customary for the Imam-Caliphs to address assemblies after the Eid Namaz. In his Eid al-Fitr khutba, our 12th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana al-Qa’im (a.s), referred to the assembly of believers before him as ‘Servants of God’. The Imam reminded them that Eid was a festival which Allah honors, and he counselled the servants of God to be faithful in their intentions, to submit their supplications to God and to seek forgiveness for their errors and mistakes.
In the year 948 CE, the Fatimid Caliph, 13th Ismaili Imam Mawlana al-Mansur (a.s), delivered a khutba on the day of Eid in the city of al-Mahdiyya, in which he said:
“Indeed, most truly, did God, the Mighty and the Glorious, make this day of yours a feast of greater importance than other days. He seals with it a month more excellent than other months.”
Mawlana Imam al-Mansur (a.s), also chose the Eid al-Fitr khutba as an occasion to reaffirm his submission to Allah. The Imam expressed his overwhelming gratitude to Allah, saying:
“Praise! Praise! And thanks to You! Thanks! Over and over again. There is no equivalent for Your favors; no repayment for Your kindnesses, confessing thus to the inability to express thanks even though it were to be attempted in every language throughout the whole of time.”
As we rejoice on this auspicious day of Eid al-Fitr, let us offer our thanksgiving for the blessing of the Almighty Allah and on this occasion let us become a catalyst for us to reflect on values and actively find ways to put our values into action, including through the work of Imamat institutions. (akdn.org)
As we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, let us take this day as an opportunity, as trustees of God’s creation, to realize the social conscience of Islam; fortify our commitment to the ethics of giving hope where hope is needed, to be kind where kindness is needed; and to bring alive the spirit of generosity by sharing the abundance that God has bestowed upon each one of us.
Video Source: Salim-Sulaiman (YouTube)
Maalik Mere | Official Video | Salim Sulaiman | Team 07 | Raj Pandit | Vipul Mehta | Salman Ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXQKChk2S2w
Let us pray:
O’Lord, help us to live our lives in keeping with your guidance to be compassionate and generous towards our Muslim brothers and sisters, and to humanity as a whole.
O’Lord, fill our hearts with your love and gratitude for your favors. Ameen!
Recommended reading: https://ismailimail.blog/?s=shawwal+2020
Eid al-Fitr Mubarak!
https://ismailimail.blog/2021/05/12/cha ... -may-2021/
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON MAY 12, 2021
By: Sadruddin Noorani, Chicago, USA
The term Eid al-Fitr means “the feast of breaking the fast“. The phrase is composed of two words: Eid meaning a recurring festivity; and Fitr meaning to break, referring to the breaking of the cycle of fasting, seeking piety, spiritual fulfillment and forgiveness. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide since the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), marking the end of the month of Ramadan and it marks an occasion on which we thank Allah for His gift of the Holy Qur’an, for all His mercy and benevolence bestowed upon us. Fasting reinforces the virtues of patience and self-discipline, as well as offering an opportunity to express our gratitude to God by sharing our extra resources with those in need.
The notions of sharing and generosity are amongst the central ethical principles of Islam, and part of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Hazrat ‘Ali and our Imams (a.s). According to a tradition, once a poor Bedouin asked the Prophet, how he could help? The Prophet advised him to carry water on his camel for those who did not have daily access to it. In another hadith narrated by al-Bukhari, the Prophet invoked blessings for a woman who had cared for a stray dog. When she saw a thirsty dog, she took off her sock and tied it to her veil to draw some water from the well. For her generosity and kindness, the Prophet prayed for her.
Source: Salim- Sulaiman (YouTube)
Jazaak Allah | Javed Ali, Salim Sulaiman | Irfan Siddiqui | Merchant Records | Eid 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxqbPX_yBd8
Thus, acts of kindness, generosity and sharing, no matter how small, are important expressions of the social conscience in Islam. As Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in Sura al-Baqara, 177:
Righteousness is not in turning one’s face to the East or the West. Rather, in the eyes of Allah, righteous are those who believe in Allah and give of what they have out of the love of Allah to those in need.
In Islam, the expression of piety has two aspects: (a) prayer and other acts of devotion on the one hand, and (b) manifestations of social responsibility and generosity on the other. These two expressions are not independent; rather, they are two intertwined dimensions of faith.
God expects the believers to bear the responsibilities of creating an enabling environment and to make meaningful contributions to the improvement of the quality of life of people in their communities.
With Muslims living in different countries, having distinctive cultures and diverse traditions, celebration of Eid incorporates local customs and traditions. Generally, Eid al-Fitr commences with special recitation of congregational prayers, in which we thank God for His bounties and mercies.
In the morning of Eid al-Fitr, families, friends and community congregate for Eid prayers in which according to tradition, verses are recited from the Holy Qur’an. Two Surahs are recited in each Rak’at, the first of which is always Surah al-Fatiha and the second Surah we recite is Surah al-Ikhlas; this is followed by Du’a i Qunut which forms the major portion of the Eid Namaz as it is recited five times in the first Rak’at and four times in the second Rak’at.
Meaning of Du’a i Qunut: ‘O Our Lord! In thy Mercy give unto us in this world that which is good and, in the hereafter too, that which is good, and guard us from the chastisement of Hell. O merciful of all Merciful, O Lord, I am helpless so help me – I seek from You blessings of this day of Eid which You have made for Muslims. There is no deity except Allah, the Forbearing, the Bounteous. There is no deity except Allah the Exalted, Magnificent. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven Heavens and the Lord of seven earths and what is within them and what is between them and Who is the Lord of the glorious Throne. And all praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer of all beings.
Eid prayer continues with: “O Lord, have mercy on Muhammad (pbuh) and his progeny.” “God hears one who praises Him.” “God is Great!” “We turn to Allah in repentance and beseech Him for forgiveness.” “With the help of Allah and His strength, I rise and sit.” At the completion of Eid Namaz, we recite Tashahhud which concludes by prayer of peace (salaam). This is followed by celebration and rejoicing throughout the day with expressions of affection towards friends, gathering of families and exchange of greetings and gifts.
In the Muslim tradition, Eid is both a personal and a social festivity. It is a time to maintain the practice of prayer and self-restraint to enhance taqwa, that is God-consciousness, in our lives. In Nahj al-Balagha, Imam ‘Ali (a.s) says:
Every day in which one does not commit a sin is [a day of] Eid.
Picture source: Ismaili Civic (Facebook) Click link to read: Calgary food bank gets 2,359 kg donation from Ismaili community to mark Ramadan | CBC News
Amidst all this celebration, this is also a time for us to be grateful to God, to forgive and forget any wrongs that have been committed against us, a time to remember the less fortunate, and to extend compassion and kindness, support, and generosity to others. This obliges us to be thoughtful, responsive to the needs of our families, our communities, our neighborhoods, our nation, and all mankind. Faith is not simply a set of beliefs held as philosophical ideals. Rather, it is a commitment that must be reflected in our lives and guide us to engage with the world around us. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that we have a responsibility to those that are less privileged than us, and assures us of the many rewards for generosity and charity:
“For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold, and they shall have a liberal reward.” 57:18
“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s way is as the likeness of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” 2:261
It is important to note that in the verses referenced above, the act of generosity towards fellow human beings is elevated to the level of “spending in God’s way” and as a “Good Loan” – or qarz-e hasanah – to God.
During the Fatimid period of Islamic history, it was customary for the Imam-Caliphs to address assemblies after the Eid Namaz. In his Eid al-Fitr khutba, our 12th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana al-Qa’im (a.s), referred to the assembly of believers before him as ‘Servants of God’. The Imam reminded them that Eid was a festival which Allah honors, and he counselled the servants of God to be faithful in their intentions, to submit their supplications to God and to seek forgiveness for their errors and mistakes.
In the year 948 CE, the Fatimid Caliph, 13th Ismaili Imam Mawlana al-Mansur (a.s), delivered a khutba on the day of Eid in the city of al-Mahdiyya, in which he said:
“Indeed, most truly, did God, the Mighty and the Glorious, make this day of yours a feast of greater importance than other days. He seals with it a month more excellent than other months.”
Mawlana Imam al-Mansur (a.s), also chose the Eid al-Fitr khutba as an occasion to reaffirm his submission to Allah. The Imam expressed his overwhelming gratitude to Allah, saying:
“Praise! Praise! And thanks to You! Thanks! Over and over again. There is no equivalent for Your favors; no repayment for Your kindnesses, confessing thus to the inability to express thanks even though it were to be attempted in every language throughout the whole of time.”
As we rejoice on this auspicious day of Eid al-Fitr, let us offer our thanksgiving for the blessing of the Almighty Allah and on this occasion let us become a catalyst for us to reflect on values and actively find ways to put our values into action, including through the work of Imamat institutions. (akdn.org)
As we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, let us take this day as an opportunity, as trustees of God’s creation, to realize the social conscience of Islam; fortify our commitment to the ethics of giving hope where hope is needed, to be kind where kindness is needed; and to bring alive the spirit of generosity by sharing the abundance that God has bestowed upon each one of us.
Video Source: Salim-Sulaiman (YouTube)
Maalik Mere | Official Video | Salim Sulaiman | Team 07 | Raj Pandit | Vipul Mehta | Salman Ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXQKChk2S2w
Let us pray:
O’Lord, help us to live our lives in keeping with your guidance to be compassionate and generous towards our Muslim brothers and sisters, and to humanity as a whole.
O’Lord, fill our hearts with your love and gratitude for your favors. Ameen!
Recommended reading: https://ismailimail.blog/?s=shawwal+2020
Eid al-Fitr Mubarak!
https://ismailimail.blog/2021/05/12/cha ... -may-2021/
Fatimid Imam al-Mu’izz led Id al-Fitr prayers in Cairo
Posted by Nimira Dewji
Named after the Prophet’s daughter, the Fatimids, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ancestors, established their empire in 909 in North Africa when Imam al-Mahdi was proclaimed Caliph. The Fatimid Caliphate remained in North Africa during the reign of Imams al-Mahdi (r. 909-934), al-Qa‘im (r. 934-946), and al-Mansur (r. 946-953). Imam al-Mu’izz (r. 953-975) founded the city of Cairo which subsequently became the capital of the empire.
The prolific Sunni, Egyptian scholar of the Mamluk period (1250-1517), Al-Maqrizi (d. 1442), wrote the most comprehensive account of the Fatimid era (909-1171), recording a number of official documents, letters, and sermons of the Fatimids in their entirety, making his works the only surviving source for this material. He wrote about Egyptian political history, topography, and economics, maintaining a distinctive interest in the Fatimids, perhaps due to the way they had reversed Egypt’s chronic political and economic decline.
Al-Maqrizi referenced a wide range of materials then available to him, many of which have not survived, including the works of historian Ibn Zulaq (d. 996), a Shafi’i scholar with Shi’i learnings, who wrote biographies of Imams al-Mu’izz and al-Aziz, and the Fatimid General, Jawhar. His Itti‘az al-hunafa’ bi-akhbar al a’imma al-Fatimiyyin al-khulafa’ (Lessons for the Seekers of Truth in the History of the Fatimid Imams and Caliphs) focuses principally on the Fatimid age, and so it is a particularly valuable historical source on this dynasty.
A section of al-Maqrizi’s Ittiaz has been translated by Dr Shainool Jiwa, titled Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire.
In his Ittiaz, al-Maqrizi, quoting Ibn Zulaq, accounts Imam al-Mu’izz reciting the prayer on the day of Id al-Fitr 362 AH/973 CE:
“On the day of ‘Id al-Fitr, al-Mu’izz rode out for the ‘id prayer to the musalla1 of Cairo that Jawhar had built…. Al-Mu’izz had arrived in regal attire, with his banners and litters. He led the complete, long id prayer… Ibn Zulaq said:
In every rak’a and prostration, I recited the tasbih after him [al-Mu’izz] more than thirty times. [In his Da’a’im… al-Qadi al-Nu’man quotes the Shi’i Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq that the tasbih be recited thirty-three times].2 Al-Qadi al-Nu’man b. Muhammad relayed the takbir after him. In the second rak’a, he recited Surat al-Fatiha and then Surat al-Duha [Suras 1 and 93]. After the recitation, he pronounced the takbir. This was the prayer of his forefather Ali b. Abi Talib. He remained in the position of the second bow and prostration for a long time. After every bow and prostration, I recited the tasbih more than thirty times after him….
When he had completed the prayer, he ascended the minbar (pulpit) and offered salutations to the people to the right and the left. Then he unfurled the two banners that had been placed on the minbar. He delivered the sermon with the banners hoisted in front of him. A heavy brocade cushion had been placed on the highest step of the minbar. He sat on it [during the time] between the two parts of the sermon. He commenced his sermon with ‘In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful’…
He began by pronouncing, ‘God is Great, God is Great’ and delivered the sermon with such eloquence that it brought tears to people’s eyes. The sermon was delivered with humility and submission” (Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire p107-108).
Mawlana Hazar Imam Aga Khan idd eid namaz
Mawlana Hazar Imam leading prayers, Nairobi, Kenya, 1944. Photo: 25 Years in Pictures
Source: Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire translated by Shainool Jiwa, I.B. Tauris in associated with The Institute of Ismaili Studies
1The musalla was built in Cairo by Jawhar in 358/969 and later renovated by [Imam] al-Aziz. It had a great dome beneath which stood a pulpit and was used specifically for the id prayers (Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire p 107, n. 303)
2 Ibid. p 107, n. 305
https://nimirasblog.wordpress.com/2021/ ... -in-cairo/
Posted by Nimira Dewji
Named after the Prophet’s daughter, the Fatimids, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ancestors, established their empire in 909 in North Africa when Imam al-Mahdi was proclaimed Caliph. The Fatimid Caliphate remained in North Africa during the reign of Imams al-Mahdi (r. 909-934), al-Qa‘im (r. 934-946), and al-Mansur (r. 946-953). Imam al-Mu’izz (r. 953-975) founded the city of Cairo which subsequently became the capital of the empire.
The prolific Sunni, Egyptian scholar of the Mamluk period (1250-1517), Al-Maqrizi (d. 1442), wrote the most comprehensive account of the Fatimid era (909-1171), recording a number of official documents, letters, and sermons of the Fatimids in their entirety, making his works the only surviving source for this material. He wrote about Egyptian political history, topography, and economics, maintaining a distinctive interest in the Fatimids, perhaps due to the way they had reversed Egypt’s chronic political and economic decline.
Al-Maqrizi referenced a wide range of materials then available to him, many of which have not survived, including the works of historian Ibn Zulaq (d. 996), a Shafi’i scholar with Shi’i learnings, who wrote biographies of Imams al-Mu’izz and al-Aziz, and the Fatimid General, Jawhar. His Itti‘az al-hunafa’ bi-akhbar al a’imma al-Fatimiyyin al-khulafa’ (Lessons for the Seekers of Truth in the History of the Fatimid Imams and Caliphs) focuses principally on the Fatimid age, and so it is a particularly valuable historical source on this dynasty.
A section of al-Maqrizi’s Ittiaz has been translated by Dr Shainool Jiwa, titled Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire.
In his Ittiaz, al-Maqrizi, quoting Ibn Zulaq, accounts Imam al-Mu’izz reciting the prayer on the day of Id al-Fitr 362 AH/973 CE:
“On the day of ‘Id al-Fitr, al-Mu’izz rode out for the ‘id prayer to the musalla1 of Cairo that Jawhar had built…. Al-Mu’izz had arrived in regal attire, with his banners and litters. He led the complete, long id prayer… Ibn Zulaq said:
In every rak’a and prostration, I recited the tasbih after him [al-Mu’izz] more than thirty times. [In his Da’a’im… al-Qadi al-Nu’man quotes the Shi’i Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq that the tasbih be recited thirty-three times].2 Al-Qadi al-Nu’man b. Muhammad relayed the takbir after him. In the second rak’a, he recited Surat al-Fatiha and then Surat al-Duha [Suras 1 and 93]. After the recitation, he pronounced the takbir. This was the prayer of his forefather Ali b. Abi Talib. He remained in the position of the second bow and prostration for a long time. After every bow and prostration, I recited the tasbih more than thirty times after him….
When he had completed the prayer, he ascended the minbar (pulpit) and offered salutations to the people to the right and the left. Then he unfurled the two banners that had been placed on the minbar. He delivered the sermon with the banners hoisted in front of him. A heavy brocade cushion had been placed on the highest step of the minbar. He sat on it [during the time] between the two parts of the sermon. He commenced his sermon with ‘In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful’…
He began by pronouncing, ‘God is Great, God is Great’ and delivered the sermon with such eloquence that it brought tears to people’s eyes. The sermon was delivered with humility and submission” (Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire p107-108).
Mawlana Hazar Imam Aga Khan idd eid namaz
Mawlana Hazar Imam leading prayers, Nairobi, Kenya, 1944. Photo: 25 Years in Pictures
Source: Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire translated by Shainool Jiwa, I.B. Tauris in associated with The Institute of Ismaili Studies
1The musalla was built in Cairo by Jawhar in 358/969 and later renovated by [Imam] al-Aziz. It had a great dome beneath which stood a pulpit and was used specifically for the id prayers (Towards a Shi’i Mediterranean Empire p 107, n. 303)
2 Ibid. p 107, n. 305
https://nimirasblog.wordpress.com/2021/ ... -in-cairo/
Namaz
22 minutes
Video:
Namaz-e 'Id-al Fitr - Offered by Alnoor Saleh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzRGtdD75go
Namaz-e 'Id-al Fitr.
ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great, God is Great, God is Great
LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU WALLAHU AKBAR
There is no deity except God, God, the Great.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
WALLILLAHIL HAMD ALAMA HADANA
All praise is due to God, Who has guided us (to the right path)
NAMAZ-I IDUL FITR/IDUL ADHA JI NIYAT BANDHO ALLAH MAERIA
DU RAKA'T NAMAAZ-I-‘ID AL-FITR MI GUZAARAM QURBATAN ILALLAH
I offer this two rak’ah prayer of ‘Id al-Fitr to attain the presence of God.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHEEM, AL-HAMDU LILLAHI RABBIL AALAMEEN, MAALIKI
YAUMID-DEEN, IYYAAKA NA’BUDU WA IYYAAKA NASATA’EEN, IHDINAS SIRATAL MUSTAQEEM SIRATAL-LAZEENA AN’AMTA’ ALAYHIM GHAIRIL MAGHZOOBI ALAYHIM WALAZ-ZAAL-LEEN.
In the name of God, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, All praise is due to God,
the Lord of the Worlds, The most Beneficent, the most Merciful, The Lord of the Day of Judgment, You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help. Guide us to the right path The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favours
Not of those cursed ones and nor of those who have gone astray.
BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM, QUL HUWALLAHU AHAD, ALLAHUS-SAMAD, LAM YALID WA LAM YOOLAD, WA LAM YAKULLAHOO KUFUWAN AHAD
In the name of God, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, Say: it is God, (who is) One. God is Absolute, Independent, He did not beget nor was He begotten, And there is none like unto Him.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
RABBANA ATINA FID DUNYA HASANTAW- WA FIL AKHIRATI HASANTAW QINA AZABANNARI BI RAHMATIKA YA AR-HAMR-RAHIMEEN.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world, and good in the hereafter, and guard us from the torment of the Fire with Your kindness most Merciful of all Merciful
YA RABBI INNI MAGLUBUN FANTASIR AS’ALUKA KHAIRAM BI HAQQI HAAZIR YAUMILLAZI JA’ALALTAHU LIL MUSLMINA ‘IDA.
My Lord, I am helpless, so help me. I seek from You blessings of this day of ‘Id, which You have granted for all Muslims.
LA ILAHA ILLALLAHUL HALIMUL KARIM. LA ILAHA ILLALLAHUL ALIYYUL AAZIM
There is no deity except God, the the Forbearing, the Bounteous. There is no deity except God, the Exalted, the Magnificent.
SUBHANALLAHI-RABBIS-SAMAWATIS- SAB’I WA RABBIL ARZINAS SAB’I WA MA FIHINNA WA MA BAINA HUNNA WA RABBIL ARSHIL AZIM. WALHAMDUL LILLAHI RABBIL ALAMIN
Praise be to God, the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the seven Earths and what is within them and between them, and the Lord of the Glorious Throne. All praise is due to God the Sustainer of all beings.
ALLAHU AKBAR God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL AAZIM WA BIHAMDIH RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the Great and His is the Praise. O God!, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his Progeny.
SAMI’ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH
God listens to those who praise Him.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL A’ALA WA BIHAMDIHI RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the great and His is the Praise. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his Progeny.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
ASTAGHFIRUL-LAHA RABBI WA’ATUBU ILAYHI
I seek the forgiveness of God, and turn to Him in repentance.
ALLAHU AKHBAR
God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL A’ALA WA BIHAMDIH RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the creator and sustainer, and His is the Praise. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
ASHHADU-AL LA ILAHA ILLA-LAAHU WAHDAHU LA SHARIKA LAHU WA ASHHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAR RASULULLAH, ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
I bear witness that there is no diety except God, He is one and has no associate. And I declare that Muhammad the messenger of God. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny.
IMAMIZ-ZAMAANIL HAAZIR WAL MAUJOOD
Imam of the age is always present and manifest.
AS-SALAAMU ALAYKA AYYUHAN-NABIYYU WA RAHMATUL-LAHI WA BARAKATUH
O Apostle, may peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you.
AS-SALAAMU ALAINA WA ALA IBADILLAHIS- SALIHIN
May peace be upon us and upon all pious servants of God
AS-SALAAMU ALAIKUM WA RAHEMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH
May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you
ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great, God is Great, God is Great.
SHUKRAN, SHUKRAN, SHUKRAN
Thank You (O God)
ASH-HADU AL LA ILAHA ILALLAH ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH ASH-HADU ANNA ALIYYUN AMIRUL MU’MININA ALIYYULLAH
I bear witness that there is no deity except God, And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, And I bear witness that ‘Aly the Commander of the Faithful, is from God
22 minutes
Video:
Namaz-e 'Id-al Fitr - Offered by Alnoor Saleh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzRGtdD75go
Namaz-e 'Id-al Fitr.
ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great, God is Great, God is Great
LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU WALLAHU AKBAR
There is no deity except God, God, the Great.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
WALLILLAHIL HAMD ALAMA HADANA
All praise is due to God, Who has guided us (to the right path)
NAMAZ-I IDUL FITR/IDUL ADHA JI NIYAT BANDHO ALLAH MAERIA
DU RAKA'T NAMAAZ-I-‘ID AL-FITR MI GUZAARAM QURBATAN ILALLAH
I offer this two rak’ah prayer of ‘Id al-Fitr to attain the presence of God.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHEEM, AL-HAMDU LILLAHI RABBIL AALAMEEN, MAALIKI
YAUMID-DEEN, IYYAAKA NA’BUDU WA IYYAAKA NASATA’EEN, IHDINAS SIRATAL MUSTAQEEM SIRATAL-LAZEENA AN’AMTA’ ALAYHIM GHAIRIL MAGHZOOBI ALAYHIM WALAZ-ZAAL-LEEN.
In the name of God, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, All praise is due to God,
the Lord of the Worlds, The most Beneficent, the most Merciful, The Lord of the Day of Judgment, You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help. Guide us to the right path The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favours
Not of those cursed ones and nor of those who have gone astray.
BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM, QUL HUWALLAHU AHAD, ALLAHUS-SAMAD, LAM YALID WA LAM YOOLAD, WA LAM YAKULLAHOO KUFUWAN AHAD
In the name of God, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, Say: it is God, (who is) One. God is Absolute, Independent, He did not beget nor was He begotten, And there is none like unto Him.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
RABBANA ATINA FID DUNYA HASANTAW- WA FIL AKHIRATI HASANTAW QINA AZABANNARI BI RAHMATIKA YA AR-HAMR-RAHIMEEN.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world, and good in the hereafter, and guard us from the torment of the Fire with Your kindness most Merciful of all Merciful
YA RABBI INNI MAGLUBUN FANTASIR AS’ALUKA KHAIRAM BI HAQQI HAAZIR YAUMILLAZI JA’ALALTAHU LIL MUSLMINA ‘IDA.
My Lord, I am helpless, so help me. I seek from You blessings of this day of ‘Id, which You have granted for all Muslims.
LA ILAHA ILLALLAHUL HALIMUL KARIM. LA ILAHA ILLALLAHUL ALIYYUL AAZIM
There is no deity except God, the the Forbearing, the Bounteous. There is no deity except God, the Exalted, the Magnificent.
SUBHANALLAHI-RABBIS-SAMAWATIS- SAB’I WA RABBIL ARZINAS SAB’I WA MA FIHINNA WA MA BAINA HUNNA WA RABBIL ARSHIL AZIM. WALHAMDUL LILLAHI RABBIL ALAMIN
Praise be to God, the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the seven Earths and what is within them and between them, and the Lord of the Glorious Throne. All praise is due to God the Sustainer of all beings.
ALLAHU AKBAR God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL AAZIM WA BIHAMDIH RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the Great and His is the Praise. O God!, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his Progeny.
SAMI’ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH
God listens to those who praise Him.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL A’ALA WA BIHAMDIHI RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the great and His is the Praise. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his Progeny.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
ASTAGHFIRUL-LAHA RABBI WA’ATUBU ILAYHI
I seek the forgiveness of God, and turn to Him in repentance.
ALLAHU AKHBAR
God is Great
SUBHANNALLAHI, SUBHANALLAHI, SUBHANALLAH SUBHANA RABBI-AL A’ALA WA BIHAMDIH RABBI SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
God is Glorious, God is Glorious, God is Glorious, Glorious is my Lord, the creator and sustainer, and His is the Praise. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny.
ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great
ASHHADU-AL LA ILAHA ILLA-LAAHU WAHDAHU LA SHARIKA LAHU WA ASHHADU ANNA MUHAMMADAR RASULULLAH, ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA AALI MUHAMMAD
I bear witness that there is no diety except God, He is one and has no associate. And I declare that Muhammad the messenger of God. O God, shower Your blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny.
IMAMIZ-ZAMAANIL HAAZIR WAL MAUJOOD
Imam of the age is always present and manifest.
AS-SALAAMU ALAYKA AYYUHAN-NABIYYU WA RAHMATUL-LAHI WA BARAKATUH
O Apostle, may peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you.
AS-SALAAMU ALAINA WA ALA IBADILLAHIS- SALIHIN
May peace be upon us and upon all pious servants of God
AS-SALAAMU ALAIKUM WA RAHEMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH
May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you
ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR
God is Great, God is Great, God is Great.
SHUKRAN, SHUKRAN, SHUKRAN
Thank You (O God)
ASH-HADU AL LA ILAHA ILALLAH ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH ASH-HADU ANNA ALIYYUN AMIRUL MU’MININA ALIYYULLAH
I bear witness that there is no deity except God, And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, And I bear witness that ‘Aly the Commander of the Faithful, is from God
Jashn E Eid - The Pamoja Ensemble
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IBt-YUwmic
Artistes from around the Kenya Jurisdiction came together virtually to create this inspiring piece for Eil Ul Fitr! Enjoy!
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IBt-YUwmic
Artistes from around the Kenya Jurisdiction came together virtually to create this inspiring piece for Eil Ul Fitr! Enjoy!
Eid Mubarak Message from the Jamati Institutions for the USA
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmaqz917k0
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmaqz917k0
Celebrating Eid-al-Fitr with the Leo Twins
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCAFFYc_uD4
An evening with Leo Twins Live: Haroon Leo and Sharoon Leo, Instrumental musicians hailing from Pakistan, share traditional and classical music with a modern twist.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCAFFYc_uD4
An evening with Leo Twins Live: Haroon Leo and Sharoon Leo, Instrumental musicians hailing from Pakistan, share traditional and classical music with a modern twist.
Eid al-Adha
This week, alongside our sisters and brothers in Islam, we commemorate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. The occasion recalls the monotheistic ethos at the heart of the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It was, in Judeo-Christian-Muslim tradition, a test of the faith of Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son when in a recurring dream, he was commanded by God to sacrifice his beloved son. However, at the ultimate moment of the sacrificial act, Allah spared the life of his son, who is believed by most Muslims to be Hazrat Ismail (peace be upon him). In Surah as-Saffat, Ayat 104 and 105 of the Qur’an, Allah says:
“We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim, you have already fulfilled the vision’ - thus indeed we reward the righteous... indeed this was a manifest trial.”
On Eid al-Adha, we remember Hazrat Ibrahim’s sacrifice and unyielding devotion, and we also reflect upon the complete trust he had in his Creator. Indeed, complete trust in Allah is modeled through many examples of the Prophets.
The young Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him and his family) who faced life as an orphan, and later, as the Prophet of Islam, was forced to migrate to safety due to constant threats to his life. Still, he was steadfast in his faith in Allah. Such complete reliance on Allah is called tawakkul, a concept we refer to in our prayers when we recite: tawwakaltu ‘alayka, which means: (O Allah) I rely upon you.
In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us time and again to put our complete trust in Him. In Surah al-Maida, Ayat 23, Allah says: “And put your complete trust [in Allah], if you are indeed believers.” However, this reliance does not imply that we should not apply our intellect and make efforts to overcome our difficulties. We must do our best, while trusting that the outcome will be what Allah deems to be most appropriate.
The trust that we have in Allah is reciprocal. In a Hadith al-Qudsi, narrated by Prophet Muhammad, Allah says:
“He who draws close to Me a hand’s span, I will draw close to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running.”
In Muslim belief, Prophet Muhammad was the last and final in the line of Allah's Messengers. According to Shia belief, tradition and interpretation of history, the authority for guidance devolved upon his cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Ali and vests thereafter in the Imams in the progeny of Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Bibi Fatima, the Prophet's daughter (peace be upon them and their family).
Eid al-Adha also celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the Ahl al-Kitab – the People of the Book. At a speech made in Houston, USA in June 2002, Mawlana Hazar Imam said:
“The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims is governed by the duty of loving care to help nurture each life that is born to its God-given potential.”
Today, each time we greet one another with “Eid Mubarak,” let us remember the important message of trust in Allah. Let us continue to strengthen that bond through devotion to our Imam-of-the-Time.
The Ismaili wishes you a joyous and heartfelt Eid Mubarak!
https://the.ismaili/global/our-communit ... id-al-adha
This week, alongside our sisters and brothers in Islam, we commemorate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. The occasion recalls the monotheistic ethos at the heart of the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It was, in Judeo-Christian-Muslim tradition, a test of the faith of Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son when in a recurring dream, he was commanded by God to sacrifice his beloved son. However, at the ultimate moment of the sacrificial act, Allah spared the life of his son, who is believed by most Muslims to be Hazrat Ismail (peace be upon him). In Surah as-Saffat, Ayat 104 and 105 of the Qur’an, Allah says:
“We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim, you have already fulfilled the vision’ - thus indeed we reward the righteous... indeed this was a manifest trial.”
On Eid al-Adha, we remember Hazrat Ibrahim’s sacrifice and unyielding devotion, and we also reflect upon the complete trust he had in his Creator. Indeed, complete trust in Allah is modeled through many examples of the Prophets.
The young Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him and his family) who faced life as an orphan, and later, as the Prophet of Islam, was forced to migrate to safety due to constant threats to his life. Still, he was steadfast in his faith in Allah. Such complete reliance on Allah is called tawakkul, a concept we refer to in our prayers when we recite: tawwakaltu ‘alayka, which means: (O Allah) I rely upon you.
In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us time and again to put our complete trust in Him. In Surah al-Maida, Ayat 23, Allah says: “And put your complete trust [in Allah], if you are indeed believers.” However, this reliance does not imply that we should not apply our intellect and make efforts to overcome our difficulties. We must do our best, while trusting that the outcome will be what Allah deems to be most appropriate.
The trust that we have in Allah is reciprocal. In a Hadith al-Qudsi, narrated by Prophet Muhammad, Allah says:
“He who draws close to Me a hand’s span, I will draw close to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running.”
In Muslim belief, Prophet Muhammad was the last and final in the line of Allah's Messengers. According to Shia belief, tradition and interpretation of history, the authority for guidance devolved upon his cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Ali and vests thereafter in the Imams in the progeny of Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Bibi Fatima, the Prophet's daughter (peace be upon them and their family).
Eid al-Adha also celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the Ahl al-Kitab – the People of the Book. At a speech made in Houston, USA in June 2002, Mawlana Hazar Imam said:
“The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims is governed by the duty of loving care to help nurture each life that is born to its God-given potential.”
Today, each time we greet one another with “Eid Mubarak,” let us remember the important message of trust in Allah. Let us continue to strengthen that bond through devotion to our Imam-of-the-Time.
The Ismaili wishes you a joyous and heartfelt Eid Mubarak!
https://the.ismaili/global/our-communit ... id-al-adha
Eid al-Adha 10th Dhul Hijjah 1442 – 20th July, 2021
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON JULY 19, 2021
By: Sadruddin Noorani, Chicago, USA
Eid al-Adha or the “Festival of Sacrifice” is celebrated by Muslims across the world marking the completion of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, commemorated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Arabic term “Eid” is derived from aud meaning ‘to return’. In Islam, it means a recurring festivity of happiness, feast or celebration. Adha, the plural of adhat, means ‘sacrifice’. Across diverse global Muslim communities, it is known by various names including Id al-Akbar, Id al-Kabir, Eid Qurban, Kurban Bayrami, Bakra Eid and Eid al-Adha. It is considered amongst the oldest festivals in Islam, Eid al-Adha honors and remembers one of the greatest trials of faith in the life of Hazrat Ibrahim – or Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h) – whose example epitomizes the notions of sacrifice, complete submission and obedience to the Creator’s will. In fact, complete trust in the Creator, Allah, is something taught to us through numerous examples of the Prophets.
In his sermon on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in 947 CE, the 13th Ismaili Imam al-Mansur (a.s) (914-952), is reported to have said:
“Most truly this day of yours is a sacred day during a sacred month, made more significant than other days, a day of the greater pilgrimage, in which God, the hallowed and exalted, tested Abraham His friend. He was redeemed in it from slaughtering his son, may God bless them both, and God imposed on the whole people of Islam the obligation of pilgrimage to His sacred house, which He made a refuge for the people and a place of safety.” Source: Orations of the Fatimid Caliphs: Festival Sermons of the Ismaili Imams by Paul Walker (2009), p. 108
On this occasion, all the Muslims who can afford, sacrifice an animal per household and share its meat with relatives and the needy, as well as partake in other acts of charity. This day of Eid also marks the culmination of Hajj rituals. According to the Abrahamic traditions, it is related that, as a test of Hazrat Ibrahim’s faith, the Almighty called upon him in a dream asking him to offer in sacrifice what was dearest to him. Hazrat Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (Ishmael)- (p.b.u.h), and Hazrat Ismail’s consent to be sacrificed exemplify and reflect unconditional commitment to the Will of God, which was substituted by a ram, and it has been perpetuated by Islam. Hazrat Ismail is regarded as a Prophet (Nabi) and an ancestor to Hazrat Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He, along with his father Hazrat Ibrahim, built the house of God called Kaaba.
It is related that once when the Companions of the Prophet asked him about this sacrifice, he replied: “This is commemorative of the Sunnah of your father Abraham” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3 p. 221). The sacrifice was asked of both father and son. The two were united in their faith. For the Holy Quran also says “It is neither their [that is, the sacrificed animals’] meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but [it is] your piety that reaches Him” 22:37. Hence, as the two prepared themselves for the sacrificial act, the Quranic description goes on to say, “…We called out to him, O Ibrahim, you have already fulfilled the vision – thus indeed we reward the righteous…indeed this was a manifest trial…” 37:104-106.
Sacrifice suggests an attitude of putting someone else’s needs above our own, of helping those who require assistance and, if need be, giving up, what is important to us for the benefit of others. In our Ismaili traditions, voluntary service is a great example of this mindset, where the murids of the Imam devote their time, knowledge, skills and resources for the benefit of others. It is a tradition that our community has preserved over centuries.
Such complete reliance in the Creator is called “tawakkul”. We use this term in our daily Du’a: tawakkultu ‘alayka, which means: (O Allah) ‘I rely upon you’. In the Holy Qur’an Allah reminds us time and again to put our complete trust and reliance in Him. Allah says: “And put your complete trust [in Allah], if you are indeed believers.” 5:23. This reliance on Allah does not imply that we do not apply our intellect and make efforts to overcome our difficulties; it means that we do our best, but trust in the Creator that the outcome will be whatever our Creator deems to be most appropriate.
The trust that we have in Allah is part of a reciprocal relationship between us and God. In Hadith al-Qudsi, narrated by Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Allah says:
“He who draws near to Me a hand’s span, I will draw near to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running…“
During the Prophet’s time Muslims believed that he was appointed to communicate the will of Allah and, therefore, they followed his guidance as part of their tawakkul in Allah’s mercy. We too ought to demonstrate our tawakkul in Allah’s Mercy, even if at times it may seem difficult for us to do so.
The Noble Qur’an portrays Islam as a continuation of Hazrat Ibrahim’s teachings. His life reflected the foundational teachings common to all Abrahamic traditions: iman, tawakkul and qurbani, that is, deep faith, unconditional trust in God and a profound sense of sacrifice. In the Holy Qur’an Prophet Ibrahim is described as a hanif which means ‘one who turned away [from idolatry]’, and a Muslim, that is, one who leads a life of devotion and complete submission to the Will of God. The Qur’an describes him as “one who was neither Jew nor Christian, but one with true faith” 3:67.
The figure of Hazrat Ibrahim and the paradigm of his piety, obedience, trust and unwavering faith are central to all the three monotheistic traditions of Judeo-Christian-Islam, often referred to as the Abrahamic tradition. Furthermore, as is mentioned in the Holy Quran, many great prophets descended from Hazrat Ibrahim, including Prophet Musa (Moses) (p.b.u.h), Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (p.b.u.h), as well as the last and final Prophet, Muhammad al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h).
The notion of divine guidance being vested in the family of Prophet Ibrahim is firmly established in the Qur’an “Allah did choose Adam and Nuh, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of Imran above all people; offspring, one from the other, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing“ 3:33.
For Muslims, divine guidance, which Allah vested in Hazrat Ibrahim’s descendants, continued in Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) who was the ‘khatam an-nabiyeen’, that is, ‘the seal of the prophets’. Thereafter, according to Shi’a tradition and belief, the authority of guiding the community has rested in the Imams from the Prophet’s progeny through hereditary succession and continues till this day, through the Rope of Imamat. Eid al-Adha, therefore, is an occasion to express our sincere gratitude for the immense grace and bounty of the institution of Imamat.
In considering the continued relevance and significance of commemorating Eid al-Adha, the principles of service and sacrifice for concerns loftier than the self, are most pressing and necessary. Eid al-Adha is an opportune time to reflect on how we can “sacrifice” our resources, time and knowledge in the service of the community in which we live and the larger humanity, and towards improving the quality of life of those less fortunate.
On this auspicious occasion, let us not forget the important message of trust and reliance in Allah, and let us continue to strengthen that bond of our trust through devotion and obedience to Allah (s.w.t). Let us remember the spirit of sacrifice epitomized in the example of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismaili. Let us rejoice in the tradition of service that has been preserved by our community throughout history under the guidance of our Imams. And let us celebrate this Eid al-Adha with the rest of the Muslim Ummah as a reminder of the common ethics of all Abrahamic traditions. Let us pray that we are granted strength to continue to serve our families and humanity, in the spirit of selfless sacrifice, whether it be of wealth or desires, is the practical proof of mankind’s devotion to the Creator that Mawlana Hazar Imam exemplifies, Ameen.
Eid Mubarak!
Previous post: //ismailimail.blog/2020/07/19/sadruddin-noorani-chandraat-1st-of-dhu-al-hajj-1441-july-21-2020/
//ismailimail.blog/2021/07/19/eid-al-adha-10th-dhul-hijjah-1442-20th-july-2021/
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON JULY 19, 2021
By: Sadruddin Noorani, Chicago, USA
Eid al-Adha or the “Festival of Sacrifice” is celebrated by Muslims across the world marking the completion of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, commemorated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Arabic term “Eid” is derived from aud meaning ‘to return’. In Islam, it means a recurring festivity of happiness, feast or celebration. Adha, the plural of adhat, means ‘sacrifice’. Across diverse global Muslim communities, it is known by various names including Id al-Akbar, Id al-Kabir, Eid Qurban, Kurban Bayrami, Bakra Eid and Eid al-Adha. It is considered amongst the oldest festivals in Islam, Eid al-Adha honors and remembers one of the greatest trials of faith in the life of Hazrat Ibrahim – or Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h) – whose example epitomizes the notions of sacrifice, complete submission and obedience to the Creator’s will. In fact, complete trust in the Creator, Allah, is something taught to us through numerous examples of the Prophets.
In his sermon on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in 947 CE, the 13th Ismaili Imam al-Mansur (a.s) (914-952), is reported to have said:
“Most truly this day of yours is a sacred day during a sacred month, made more significant than other days, a day of the greater pilgrimage, in which God, the hallowed and exalted, tested Abraham His friend. He was redeemed in it from slaughtering his son, may God bless them both, and God imposed on the whole people of Islam the obligation of pilgrimage to His sacred house, which He made a refuge for the people and a place of safety.” Source: Orations of the Fatimid Caliphs: Festival Sermons of the Ismaili Imams by Paul Walker (2009), p. 108
On this occasion, all the Muslims who can afford, sacrifice an animal per household and share its meat with relatives and the needy, as well as partake in other acts of charity. This day of Eid also marks the culmination of Hajj rituals. According to the Abrahamic traditions, it is related that, as a test of Hazrat Ibrahim’s faith, the Almighty called upon him in a dream asking him to offer in sacrifice what was dearest to him. Hazrat Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (Ishmael)- (p.b.u.h), and Hazrat Ismail’s consent to be sacrificed exemplify and reflect unconditional commitment to the Will of God, which was substituted by a ram, and it has been perpetuated by Islam. Hazrat Ismail is regarded as a Prophet (Nabi) and an ancestor to Hazrat Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He, along with his father Hazrat Ibrahim, built the house of God called Kaaba.
It is related that once when the Companions of the Prophet asked him about this sacrifice, he replied: “This is commemorative of the Sunnah of your father Abraham” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3 p. 221). The sacrifice was asked of both father and son. The two were united in their faith. For the Holy Quran also says “It is neither their [that is, the sacrificed animals’] meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but [it is] your piety that reaches Him” 22:37. Hence, as the two prepared themselves for the sacrificial act, the Quranic description goes on to say, “…We called out to him, O Ibrahim, you have already fulfilled the vision – thus indeed we reward the righteous…indeed this was a manifest trial…” 37:104-106.
Sacrifice suggests an attitude of putting someone else’s needs above our own, of helping those who require assistance and, if need be, giving up, what is important to us for the benefit of others. In our Ismaili traditions, voluntary service is a great example of this mindset, where the murids of the Imam devote their time, knowledge, skills and resources for the benefit of others. It is a tradition that our community has preserved over centuries.
Such complete reliance in the Creator is called “tawakkul”. We use this term in our daily Du’a: tawakkultu ‘alayka, which means: (O Allah) ‘I rely upon you’. In the Holy Qur’an Allah reminds us time and again to put our complete trust and reliance in Him. Allah says: “And put your complete trust [in Allah], if you are indeed believers.” 5:23. This reliance on Allah does not imply that we do not apply our intellect and make efforts to overcome our difficulties; it means that we do our best, but trust in the Creator that the outcome will be whatever our Creator deems to be most appropriate.
The trust that we have in Allah is part of a reciprocal relationship between us and God. In Hadith al-Qudsi, narrated by Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Allah says:
“He who draws near to Me a hand’s span, I will draw near to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running…“
During the Prophet’s time Muslims believed that he was appointed to communicate the will of Allah and, therefore, they followed his guidance as part of their tawakkul in Allah’s mercy. We too ought to demonstrate our tawakkul in Allah’s Mercy, even if at times it may seem difficult for us to do so.
The Noble Qur’an portrays Islam as a continuation of Hazrat Ibrahim’s teachings. His life reflected the foundational teachings common to all Abrahamic traditions: iman, tawakkul and qurbani, that is, deep faith, unconditional trust in God and a profound sense of sacrifice. In the Holy Qur’an Prophet Ibrahim is described as a hanif which means ‘one who turned away [from idolatry]’, and a Muslim, that is, one who leads a life of devotion and complete submission to the Will of God. The Qur’an describes him as “one who was neither Jew nor Christian, but one with true faith” 3:67.
The figure of Hazrat Ibrahim and the paradigm of his piety, obedience, trust and unwavering faith are central to all the three monotheistic traditions of Judeo-Christian-Islam, often referred to as the Abrahamic tradition. Furthermore, as is mentioned in the Holy Quran, many great prophets descended from Hazrat Ibrahim, including Prophet Musa (Moses) (p.b.u.h), Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (p.b.u.h), as well as the last and final Prophet, Muhammad al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h).
The notion of divine guidance being vested in the family of Prophet Ibrahim is firmly established in the Qur’an “Allah did choose Adam and Nuh, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of Imran above all people; offspring, one from the other, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing“ 3:33.
For Muslims, divine guidance, which Allah vested in Hazrat Ibrahim’s descendants, continued in Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) who was the ‘khatam an-nabiyeen’, that is, ‘the seal of the prophets’. Thereafter, according to Shi’a tradition and belief, the authority of guiding the community has rested in the Imams from the Prophet’s progeny through hereditary succession and continues till this day, through the Rope of Imamat. Eid al-Adha, therefore, is an occasion to express our sincere gratitude for the immense grace and bounty of the institution of Imamat.
In considering the continued relevance and significance of commemorating Eid al-Adha, the principles of service and sacrifice for concerns loftier than the self, are most pressing and necessary. Eid al-Adha is an opportune time to reflect on how we can “sacrifice” our resources, time and knowledge in the service of the community in which we live and the larger humanity, and towards improving the quality of life of those less fortunate.
On this auspicious occasion, let us not forget the important message of trust and reliance in Allah, and let us continue to strengthen that bond of our trust through devotion and obedience to Allah (s.w.t). Let us remember the spirit of sacrifice epitomized in the example of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismaili. Let us rejoice in the tradition of service that has been preserved by our community throughout history under the guidance of our Imams. And let us celebrate this Eid al-Adha with the rest of the Muslim Ummah as a reminder of the common ethics of all Abrahamic traditions. Let us pray that we are granted strength to continue to serve our families and humanity, in the spirit of selfless sacrifice, whether it be of wealth or desires, is the practical proof of mankind’s devotion to the Creator that Mawlana Hazar Imam exemplifies, Ameen.
Eid Mubarak!
Previous post: //ismailimail.blog/2020/07/19/sadruddin-noorani-chandraat-1st-of-dhu-al-hajj-1441-july-21-2020/
//ismailimail.blog/2021/07/19/eid-al-adha-10th-dhul-hijjah-1442-20th-july-2021/
Esoteric Meaning (Ta'wil) of 'Id al-Adha
Id al-Adha is the day which marks when Prophet Abraham sacrificed his son Ismail by the command of God. The literal story as related in the Qur’an (Surah 37) describes how Abraham saw in a vision that God ordered him to sacrifice his only son and as Abraham was about to slaughter his son Ismail, God miraculously replaced Ismail with a “momentous sacrifice” – which Muslim tradition identifies with a ram.
For Ismaili Muslims, this story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Ismail and Ismail’s replacement with a “momentous sacrifice” holds an esoteric meaning (ta’wil) which is the reality (haqiqah) of the entire story. According to the holy Qur’an (2:124), Hazrat Abraham was the Imam of the time appointed by God and this Imamah continues by divine appointment in Abraham’s progeny. “Sacrifice” means to “make sacred”. The Imam who bears the weight of the Imamat has sacrificed his entire life, soul and being in the perpetual service of God and humankind and this is the ultimate spiritual sacrifice.
Thus, the divine command for Abraham to SACRIFICE Ismail does not mean to sacrifice him physically but TO APPOINT ISMAIL as the successor to the IMAMAT after him. So when the holy Qur'an says:
“And We substituted him with a momentous (azim) sacrifice.” [37:107]
This means that Abraham THEN APPOINTED his second son Isaac to the Imamat to share the burden of Imamat with Ismail. Thus Abraham’s two sons, Ismail and Isaac, succeeded to the Imamat: Mawlana Ismail was the Permanent Imam (imam mustaqarr) and Hazrat Isaac was the Entrusted Imam (imam mustawda) established as a deputy and veil (hijab) for the Permanent Imams. As Henry Corbin explains, the “ram” with which God substitutes Ismail’s sacrifice is none other than Isaac himself:
"Here again the whole body of Ismaili Gnosis may be taken as a guide. By this Gnosis, Ishmael is regarded as the Spiritual Heir, the Imam who holds the secret of the Gnosis, while Isaac is a Veil: the veil or screen of the Letter which is placed before the Imam. The relationship between them corresponds to the fundamental distinction between the appointed and permanent Imam (mustaqarr), and an Imam who is merely a depository or curator (mustawda), established as a kind of protection during periods of danger and apparently performing the functions of the true Imam, while the latter remains hidden. Ishmael was the Upholder of the mystical meaning, of the esoteric science of ta'wil, while Isaac was before him as a Veil, maintaining the science of tanzil, of the revealed Letter and of positive religion. The same relationship is perpetuated in the course of their respective lineages…Whereas Moses established a new Law (shari'at), a new positive religion, the descendants of Ishmael continued and transmitted the esoteric message of Gnosis.”
- Henry Corbin, (Temple and Contemplation, 167)
Prophet Muhammad and Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib descend from the hereditary Imams of the progeny of Ismail son of Abraham. Today the living Imam is Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV. Today the spiritual sacrifice of Prophet Abraham and his son Mawlana Ismail continue to be embodied in the person of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
When he assumed the office of Imamat on July 11, 1957, Mawlana Hazar Imam boldly declared that he was dedicating his entire life and existence to serving his followers and the world of Islam:
"I have dedicated my life to the uplift and progress of the Ismailis all over the world and I pray for all your happiness and success."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV, (Willi Frischauer, The Aga Khans, 217)
"My grandfather dedicated his life to the Imamat and Islam, both of which came first, and above all other considerations.... My life, as his, will be dedicated to the service of my followers."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV
In a candid interview given in 1969, Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni describes the struggles that he undergoes in fulfilling the mission of the Imamat:
"I hardly have time to think about myself. I have my moments of fatigue, anxiety, but without the feeling of abandonment. I am engaged. I have to weigh, to consider, to try make a wise decision. But, with my advisers, I escape the isolation. “Responsibility is a burden we love.” I received from my grandfather responsibilities that are heavy but not burdensome. This is not a burden. It is a pleasure to devote oneself (de se consacrer = “to sacrifice oneself”) to such a community, to work for people. The responsibilities are a burden that we love to wear."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV, (Elle Magazine Interview with Paul Giannoli, “The Mystery of the Aga Khan”, August 20, 1969)
ask.ismailignosis.com/article/100-id-al-adha-tawil
Id al-Adha is the day which marks when Prophet Abraham sacrificed his son Ismail by the command of God. The literal story as related in the Qur’an (Surah 37) describes how Abraham saw in a vision that God ordered him to sacrifice his only son and as Abraham was about to slaughter his son Ismail, God miraculously replaced Ismail with a “momentous sacrifice” – which Muslim tradition identifies with a ram.
For Ismaili Muslims, this story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Ismail and Ismail’s replacement with a “momentous sacrifice” holds an esoteric meaning (ta’wil) which is the reality (haqiqah) of the entire story. According to the holy Qur’an (2:124), Hazrat Abraham was the Imam of the time appointed by God and this Imamah continues by divine appointment in Abraham’s progeny. “Sacrifice” means to “make sacred”. The Imam who bears the weight of the Imamat has sacrificed his entire life, soul and being in the perpetual service of God and humankind and this is the ultimate spiritual sacrifice.
Thus, the divine command for Abraham to SACRIFICE Ismail does not mean to sacrifice him physically but TO APPOINT ISMAIL as the successor to the IMAMAT after him. So when the holy Qur'an says:
“And We substituted him with a momentous (azim) sacrifice.” [37:107]
This means that Abraham THEN APPOINTED his second son Isaac to the Imamat to share the burden of Imamat with Ismail. Thus Abraham’s two sons, Ismail and Isaac, succeeded to the Imamat: Mawlana Ismail was the Permanent Imam (imam mustaqarr) and Hazrat Isaac was the Entrusted Imam (imam mustawda) established as a deputy and veil (hijab) for the Permanent Imams. As Henry Corbin explains, the “ram” with which God substitutes Ismail’s sacrifice is none other than Isaac himself:
"Here again the whole body of Ismaili Gnosis may be taken as a guide. By this Gnosis, Ishmael is regarded as the Spiritual Heir, the Imam who holds the secret of the Gnosis, while Isaac is a Veil: the veil or screen of the Letter which is placed before the Imam. The relationship between them corresponds to the fundamental distinction between the appointed and permanent Imam (mustaqarr), and an Imam who is merely a depository or curator (mustawda), established as a kind of protection during periods of danger and apparently performing the functions of the true Imam, while the latter remains hidden. Ishmael was the Upholder of the mystical meaning, of the esoteric science of ta'wil, while Isaac was before him as a Veil, maintaining the science of tanzil, of the revealed Letter and of positive religion. The same relationship is perpetuated in the course of their respective lineages…Whereas Moses established a new Law (shari'at), a new positive religion, the descendants of Ishmael continued and transmitted the esoteric message of Gnosis.”
- Henry Corbin, (Temple and Contemplation, 167)
Prophet Muhammad and Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib descend from the hereditary Imams of the progeny of Ismail son of Abraham. Today the living Imam is Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV. Today the spiritual sacrifice of Prophet Abraham and his son Mawlana Ismail continue to be embodied in the person of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
When he assumed the office of Imamat on July 11, 1957, Mawlana Hazar Imam boldly declared that he was dedicating his entire life and existence to serving his followers and the world of Islam:
"I have dedicated my life to the uplift and progress of the Ismailis all over the world and I pray for all your happiness and success."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV, (Willi Frischauer, The Aga Khans, 217)
"My grandfather dedicated his life to the Imamat and Islam, both of which came first, and above all other considerations.... My life, as his, will be dedicated to the service of my followers."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV
In a candid interview given in 1969, Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husayni describes the struggles that he undergoes in fulfilling the mission of the Imamat:
"I hardly have time to think about myself. I have my moments of fatigue, anxiety, but without the feeling of abandonment. I am engaged. I have to weigh, to consider, to try make a wise decision. But, with my advisers, I escape the isolation. “Responsibility is a burden we love.” I received from my grandfather responsibilities that are heavy but not burdensome. This is not a burden. It is a pleasure to devote oneself (de se consacrer = “to sacrifice oneself”) to such a community, to work for people. The responsibilities are a burden that we love to wear."
- Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni; Aga Khan IV, (Elle Magazine Interview with Paul Giannoli, “The Mystery of the Aga Khan”, August 20, 1969)
ask.ismailignosis.com/article/100-id-al-adha-tawil
Singing together in the spirit of harmony
The festival of Eid al-Adha celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the three Abrahamic faiths. A new musical composition performed by artists in the UK harnesses a long-standing relationship between three faith communities and illustrates the strength found in diversity.
Commissioned by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the song features contributions from each of the three monotheistic faiths, with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim instrumentalists and vocalists all involved.
The project was led by Rabbi Hannah Kingston from the Alyth Synagogue, who shared the genesis of the collaboration.
“The aim of this project was to bring people of different faiths together to work towards a common goal, writing and performing a song. This project has achieved so much more than this,” said Rabbi Kingston.
“It has given us a chance to discover our similarities and celebrate our differences, to create genuine friendships and meaningful connections. During an uncertain time in our world, working together on this project has given us a sense of solidarity, so we can be truly united in our song.”
In a moment of fortune while the artists were filming scenes for the music video, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, happened to be walking past the Ismaili Centre. He was asked to join the recording and was happy to do so, being a longtime friend of the Ismaili Community in the UK jurisdiction.
Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim Mayor, has visited the Ismaili Centre before, and was present at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Centre during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee visit to the UK.
Each of the three communities brought their own flavour to the composition, with different musical influences weaved together to make a diverse yet harmonious sound. Due to Covid restrictions, the song was conceived and worked on virtually by those involved.
Alison Fisher from St Mary-at-Finchley Church spoke of the experience of the creative process, and the monotheistic message offered.
“Taking a part in the initiative has been amazing, and we hope this new song, from the three Abrahamic faiths, will bring us all together in love, joy, peace, and above all harmony,” she said.
Fahreen Virani Pithia, a member of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board in the UK, who appears as a vocalist in the song, spoke of the aims of the project, and the pleasing end result.
“The initial brief to the musical director and producer was to create a catchy, fun song and that’s exactly what we’ve achieved. We feel so proud and the positive response has been overwhelming.”
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View the music video of United in Our Song, and the entire The Ismaili Sounds collection.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/communi ... it-harmony
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Music video: United in Our Song
Video:
https://the.ismaili/global/news/communi ... d-our-song
The Ismaili is pleased to present United in Our Song, featuring contributions from each of the three Abrahamic faiths, with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim instrumentalists and vocalists all involved.
The festival of Eid al-Adha celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the three Abrahamic faiths. A new musical composition performed by artists in the UK harnesses a long-standing relationship between three faith communities and illustrates the strength found in diversity.
Commissioned by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the song features contributions from each of the three monotheistic faiths, with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim instrumentalists and vocalists all involved.
The project was led by Rabbi Hannah Kingston from the Alyth Synagogue, who shared the genesis of the collaboration.
“The aim of this project was to bring people of different faiths together to work towards a common goal, writing and performing a song. This project has achieved so much more than this,” said Rabbi Kingston.
“It has given us a chance to discover our similarities and celebrate our differences, to create genuine friendships and meaningful connections. During an uncertain time in our world, working together on this project has given us a sense of solidarity, so we can be truly united in our song.”
In a moment of fortune while the artists were filming scenes for the music video, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, happened to be walking past the Ismaili Centre. He was asked to join the recording and was happy to do so, being a longtime friend of the Ismaili Community in the UK jurisdiction.
Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim Mayor, has visited the Ismaili Centre before, and was present at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Centre during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee visit to the UK.
Each of the three communities brought their own flavour to the composition, with different musical influences weaved together to make a diverse yet harmonious sound. Due to Covid restrictions, the song was conceived and worked on virtually by those involved.
Alison Fisher from St Mary-at-Finchley Church spoke of the experience of the creative process, and the monotheistic message offered.
“Taking a part in the initiative has been amazing, and we hope this new song, from the three Abrahamic faiths, will bring us all together in love, joy, peace, and above all harmony,” she said.
Fahreen Virani Pithia, a member of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board in the UK, who appears as a vocalist in the song, spoke of the aims of the project, and the pleasing end result.
“The initial brief to the musical director and producer was to create a catchy, fun song and that’s exactly what we’ve achieved. We feel so proud and the positive response has been overwhelming.”
---
View the music video of United in Our Song, and the entire The Ismaili Sounds collection.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/communi ... it-harmony
*******
Music video: United in Our Song
Video:
https://the.ismaili/global/news/communi ... d-our-song
The Ismaili is pleased to present United in Our Song, featuring contributions from each of the three Abrahamic faiths, with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim instrumentalists and vocalists all involved.
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swamidada786
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Re: EID MUBARAK
As per Alwaaz Abuali, Imam MSMS also slaughtered a goat on one occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.