176.
It is prohibited to fast on the day of Eid al-Fitr. Abu Saeed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) narrated:"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) forbade fasting on the two days: the day of Eid al-Fitr and the day of Eid al-Adha."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Bab 66, Fasting on the Day of Eid]
If the sky is cloudy on the 29th of Ramadan and the moon is not sighted, fasting should be observed the next day. However, if a reliable sighting of the moon is confirmed before noon, the fast should be broken, and the Eid prayer should be performed on that day. If the moon sighting is confirmed after noon, the fast should still be broken, but the Eid prayer will be observed the following day.
177.
- Performing ghusl (ritual bath).
- Wearing one's best clothing.
- Reciting Takbeer aloud while going to the Eid prayer.
- Walking to the Eid prayer location.
- Returning from the prayer using a different route.
- Eating an odd number of dates or another sweet food before going to the prayer.
178.
The Eid prayer is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never abandoned it. The time for the Eid prayer extends from shortly after sunrise until just before noon. There is no adhan or iqamah for the Eid prayer. It is not Sunnah to perform any nafl (optional) prayers before or after the Eid prayer in the Eid prayer area. Furthermore, there is no evidence for a sermon (khutbah) before the prayer. Women are encouraged to attend the Eid prayer as well. Umm ‘Atiyyah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would bring out the young girls, the unmarried women, the secluded women, and the menstruating women for the two Eids, and the menstruating women would stay away from the prayer place but witness the gathering and the supplications of the Muslims."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Salat, Bab 38]
In another hadith, she said:
"We were ordered to go out (to attend Eid prayers)."
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salat]
179.
The method of Eid prayer is like any other congregational prayer. However, after the opening takbeer (takbiratul ihram), seven additional takbeers are recited in the first rak'ah before Surah al-Fatihah. In the second rak’ah, five additional takbeers are recited before the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah. There is no authentic evidence for raising the hands during the extra takbeers.180.
Fasting six days in Shawwal after Ramadan carries a great reward. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:"Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a lifetime."
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm, Bab Istihbab Sawm Sitta Ayyam min Shawwal]
This is because good deeds are multiplied tenfold, so fasting the six days along with Ramadan equals fasting the whole year.
181.
Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. Denying its obligation is an act of disbelief, and neglecting its payment is a serious sin. On the Day of Judgment, severe punishment awaits those who withhold zakat. Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:"Whoever is given wealth by Allah and does not pay its zakat, on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will appear to him as a bald-headed poisonous snake with two black spots above its eyes. It will coil around his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth; I am your treasure.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Zakah, Bab 3]
Zakat purifies both the soul and wealth, and it brings peace of mind. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them to increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing."
[Surah al-Tawbah: 103]
182.
- Gold: When a person possesses 20 dinars (7.5 tolas or 85 grams), zakat is obligatory.
[Dar Qutni, Kitab al-Zakah] - Silver: Zakat is obligatory on 200 dirhams (52.5 tolas or 595 grams).
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zakah] - Crops and Produce: The threshold is five wasqs (about 653 kg).
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zakah] - Livestock: For camels, the nisab is five camels. After 24, the zakat increases. For goats, the nisab is 40.
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Zakah] - Cattle: The nisab for cattle is 30, for which a year-old calf must be given in zakat.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Zakah]
183.
Zakat must be paid on jewelry if it reaches the nisab (minimum threshold). Allah warns against hoarding gold and silver without paying zakat:"And those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah—give them tidings of a painful punishment."
[Surah al-Tawbah: 34]
It is clear that zakat is obligatory on gold and silver, whether in cash or in the form of jewelry. A hadith from Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) states:
"She used to wear golden jewelry, and she asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), 'Is this considered hoarding?' He replied, 'If you give its zakat, it is not hoarding.'"
[Dar Qutni, Kitab al-Zakah]
184.
The Qur'an specifies eight categories of zakat recipients:"Zakat is only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, for bringing hearts together, for freeing captives, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for the [stranded] traveler."
[Surah al-Tawbah: 60]
185.
Zakat can be spent on the food, clothing, and other necessary expenses of needy students in Islamic schools. Zakat can also be used to pay the salaries of teachers who have no other means of income. Additionally, zakat may be used for printing and distributing religious books, but it cannot be used for building construction, especially mosques.
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