I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful the most compassionate and salat and salam be on the Messenger Muhammad (S.W.A).

Recurring happiness, cheerfulness, delight or festivity after the completion of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak is called Eidul Fitr.

THE DAY OF THANKSGIVING

The Islamic Eid or festivities are unique and can be no similar in any other religion. The last Eid of 2001 is in the month December on the First of Shawwal 1422 hijra. Eidul fitr comes for every Muslim who observed fasting the entire month of ramadhan. All those who observed fasting during the month of Ramadhan they offer their gratitude to Allah for blessing them the taufeeq (ability) of fulfilling the spiritual obligations during the whole month of Ramadhan.

THE DAY OF FORGIVENESS AND PEACE

During the whole month of Ramadhan of fasting all of us have been invoking Allah for forgiveness by saying the special invocation i.e. "O Allah you are pardoner, generous, (you) love (the act of) of forgiveness, so forgive us (too)". On the blessed day of Eidul Fitr we must feel ashamed of ourselves before the Lord of forgiveness, mercy and peace to hold any enmity, malice or any ill feelings towards our relatives our brothers and our sisters in faith.

On this day of Eidul fitr let me remind you the following sayings of our beloved prophet (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam) A man asked the (beloved) Messenger of Allah (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam) which of the merits is superior in Islam. He (the beloved Messenger of Allah (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam) remarked:

" That you provide food and extend greeting to one whom you know or do not know" (Sahih of Imam Al Bukhari)

Extend peace greeting amongst yourselves, maintain blood relations observe prayer at night while people are asleep, then you will peacefully enter the garden (paradise)" (At-Tirmidhi, Mishkat).

"None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes for his brother that which he loves for him self" (Sahih Al Bukhari)

"He will not enter paradise, he whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct" (Sahih Al Muslim).

"Show mercy to people on earth so that Allah will have mercy on you in heaven" (Abu Dawud)

"To remove something harmful from the road is charity" (Mishkat)

"Charity erases all sins just as water extinguishes fire" (Mishkat)

ZAKATUL FITR OR FITRANA

It is our obligation or wajib upon all of us to pay a fixed minimum amount of money to the needy. It is known as sadaqatul fitr. Sayyuduna Umar may Allah be pleased with him says (that) the (beloved) messenger (S.W.A) Ordered us to pay Zakatul fitr either one 'sa'a of dates or one 'sa'a of barley for every member of our family, old and young alike (Sahih Al Bukhari).

So pay at least £2.00 on the behalf of each member of your family, even for the baby born on the same day.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE LEAVING HOME FOR EID PRAYER

Eat some dates, 3, 5 or 7 before leaving for the prayer

· To have ghussal (bath) brushing teeth with a miswak or a brush

· To wear your best clothes available and put on perfume (for ladies going to the mosque for prayer must not put on a strong smell perfume)

· Pay fitrana sadaqatul fitr before the prayer.

· To give donation for your mosque projects and be generous.

· To express happiness and greeting to each other with Assalama Alaikum or Eid Mubarak.

HOW TO PERFORM EID PRAYER

"I intend to pray two units of Eid with six extra wajib takbirs behind the Imam." Then saying the takbir by raising the hands to touch the ear lobes with the thumb. Then folding the hands and read thana. The Imam will say a takbir loudly and lift the hands to the ear and then lower them, this is repeated and after the third takbir folding the hands and quietly listen to the Imams recitation of Fatiha and the Surah. The first unit is completed as in other prayer. In the second unit the Imam starts by reciting the Surah Al Fatiha and the surah. He then says the three takbirs, hands should be raised for each of the three takbirs. The fourth takbir is a signal for bowing. The second unit is then completed as in normal prayer. After the prayer it is Sunnah to remain sitting and listening to the sermon. Dear brothers and sisters in order to maintain the reward of the khutba and salah please remain quiet throughout the whole sermon.

MUSLIM YOUTH MUST BE AWARE !

Ramadhan and Eid prayer must make you practice Islam but It must not make you insult the religion of Holy prophet (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam). By hiring fast cars and showing off as well as making unnecessary noise in the community and causing problems for local people and the police. It would be better to spend the day of Eid by celebrating it with our families and with our communities in the spirit of Islam. This is most definitely done by not showing off and being proud but by kindness and mercy that we should have learnt from our self-restraint in Ramadan. All these things that take place in Southhall, Green street in East London and in Manchester by Muslim brothers which has nothing to do with Islam nor are of any benefit to any Muslim country but in fact these are absolutely shameful activities based on lust and ego and it is an open insult to Islam in Britain.

MY DEAR YOUNG BROTHERS !

You must please arrange healthy support programs such as football, cricket, horse riding and swimming competition or any other indoor games provided they don't cause neglect to the daily salahs (prayers). May Allah fill your hearts with the love of Allah and Holy prophet Mohammed (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam). Muslim sisters must observe the true Islamic hijab (covering) while coming to the mosque. Otherwise they will cause anger of Allah for them selves.

I kindly request that all brothers within walking distance of the mosque, maintain the sunnah of the beloved Messenger of Allah (SallalAllahualaihiwasallam's) which is to walk to the mosque taking a different direction to what they are use to for the Eid Al Fitr prayers.