04: Eid al-Fitr 2024 | Prayer & Khutbah - Shaykh Aqeel Mahmood

Eid al-Fitr Khutbah 2024

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Gratitude to Allah

Alhamdulillah, we thank Allah for all the blessings which He has given us. We thank Allah for being able to witness yet another blessed month of Ramadan. We thank Allah for being able to fast in these last 30 days of the blessed month of Ramadan. We thank Allah for being able to stand up in salah in this blessed month which has passed us by. We thank Allah for being able to recite the Quran on a daily basis, to be able to remember Allah and do the dhikr of Allah on a daily basis in this blessed month which has just passed us by.

We also thank Allah for being able to witness this Eid Salah, to be able to come here and to remember Allah once again, thanking Allah for all the blessings which He has given us.

Brothers and sisters, shukr and thanks of Allah is something which is incumbent upon every single Muslim. We have to be grateful for everything which we have. And Allah tells us of the blessings and the importance of thanking Him. Allah says:

"If you are grateful, then I will increase you." Being thankful for the blessings of Allah is a means by which Allah will give you more.

And there is much to be thankful for, brothers and sisters. And all we need to do is look at what's happening in Palestine, in other parts of the world, and see what little they have — and even in their circumstances they are still thanking Allah. And from the greatest things we should be grateful for is our deen. The fact that Allah has guided us upon Islam. The fact that we are here today remembering Allah, worshipping Allah.

Eid as a Symbol of Islam

The Eid day, the day of Eid, is no different to other days. The day of Eid, brothers and sisters, isn't a means by which a person has an excuse now to commit sins — now that the month of Ramadan is over. In fact, Eid is from the sha'a'ir of Islam. From the symbols of Islam. A means by which a person will see that this is a day for the Muslims when they gather together and remember Allah.

Steadfastness in Muslim Identity

Allah speaks about those who are proud of their identity as Muslims. Allah says:

"Verily, those who say our Lord is Allah" — they're proud of claiming to be Muslims, declaring their belief in Islam. They say our Lord is Allah. They're not embarrassed, they're not shy. ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا — and then they're steadfast. When people attack them, when people try to criticize them, mock them, humiliate them, make fun of them — they're firm. They stay steadfast. They don't abandon their religion. They don't think the month of Ramadan is over and now we can just disobey Allah. They stay steadfast, they stand firm.

Allah says those who say "our Lord is Allah" and then stay firm — angels descend upon these people because of their steadfastness, because of their belief in Allah. Angels come down, angels descend upon them, and they say:

"Don't be afraid and don't be sad." When a person declares his Islam and is firm in the face of criticism, Allah sends down angels telling him not to be afraid. His fear is removed. He doesn't fear the disbelievers and what they say, and the criticism and the attacks that they have.

Even though we have all this criticism and all these attacks and this onslaught against us, the believer is not afraid. The believer is not sad. He is content with the decree of Allah, regardless of the circumstances. Angels descend upon them saying don't be afraid and don't be sad — and have glad tidings of a Jannah which has been promised to you by Allah.

So, brothers and sisters, never be afraid of your Muslim identity. Never be afraid of declaring your Islam in private or in public, in your workplaces or your places of study, or when you're out with your family. Never be embarrassed. Never be afraid of declaring your Islam and your identity, because Allah ultimately will reward you with Jannah.

Remembering Our Brothers and Sisters in Palestine

We should never forget the pleas and the plights and the trials and tribulations of the Muslims in Palestine and in other parts of the world, and we should continue to make du'a for them. We should be persistent in our du'as even though the month of Ramadan is over and we may not see an end in sight. Allah always tells us:

"Verily, the victory of Allah is close." And so we ask Allah to give victory to the Muslims. We ask Allah that He eases the affairs of the Muslims in Palestine and all over the world.

Closing

Brothers and sisters, remember Allah on this joyous occasion, and spend time with your families, and be joyous on this day, and do whatever you can to worship Allah and be with your families.

Jazakumullah khair.

Wassalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.