It began on a weekend, Saturday, March 1, 2025 precisely. And by this weekend, Muslims globally will bid Ramadan 2025 farewell, at least till next year. Announcement is out already that the search for the new crescent of Shawwal, the tenth month of lunar calendar should begin from tomorrow’s night. If the new moon is sighted tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, March 30 will be proclaimed as Eid-el-Fitr day, otherwise, it will be marked on Monday. And in anticipation of the completion of the fasting and celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, the Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1, 2025 as public holidays.

The instruction in the Holy Qur’an about the timeframe for the observation of the obligatory fasting during Ramadan by Muslims is explicit: ayyaaman ma’dudat (a number of days, Quran 2: 184). Thus, the coming and the going of Ramadan, every year, is following the natural law of ‘whatever has a beginning must have an end’, including human existence.

But by referring to the month as ayyaaman ma’dudat, fasting is meant never to last. It is meant never to last because it is in and by itself not the end but the means towards a nobler end. The end is the pursuit of higher stations for the believers; the arrival to another station, which is higher than that of belief – the station of taqwa – of God-consciousness, of walking with the Almighty through the thickest of life, of standing by Him in gain and in loss.

And since the holy month of fasting is regarded as ‘training school’ where Muslims “attended courses” in patience, perseverance, honesty, charity, generosity and the consciousness of the Almighty, the expectation is that such values acquired during the training should become template of engagements in all activities throughout the year.

Therefore, Muslims are urged to constantly keep the virtues that the month has come to inculcate in them under focus. They should have more empathy for the poor. They should sustain the acts of worship which they engage in during the month. Steadfastness, patience and perseverance should remain their watchwords.

As Ramadan serves to draw attention to the power of the spiritual realm, it is important that Muslims should uphold the virtues that will ensure smooth and pleasant return to their creator when the time comes. Tenacious attachment to the wills of Allah (SWT) is required to realise that the salvation here on earth and in the hereafter lies in how steady Muslims are in focusing on The Almighty; how grateful they are for His blessings, and how patient shall they continue to be when, as is occasionally the case, the tide of time becomes turbulent and troublesome.

And whichever day (Sunday or Monday) Eid-el-Fitr is marked, its essence and processes should be upheld wholeheartedly. Principally, Muslims are enjoined to prepare to observe the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. This includes the plan to wake up very early in the morning; observe the tahajjud – midnight prayer – (regularly observed during Ramadan and regarded as a virtue Muslims should endeavour to sustain after Ramadan), and in keeping with the Sunnah, taking a bath before Fajr prayers and putting on new clothes (or the best available) are meritorious deeds. It is sunnah for men to use perfume not only on Eid days but always. It is not allowed for Muslims to fast on this day. They are expected to take a light breakfast before setting out to the praying ground.

Muslims are expected to set out early for the eid prayer ground. While going there, engagement in much glorification of The Almighty is recommended. Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. There is usually no Adhan (call to Prayer) or Iqamah (call) for the prayers because they are nawafil – supererogatory prayers.

To listen to the khutbah (sermon) of eid is a necessary requirement (wajib). Thus, it is not proper, as is usually the case, for someone to leave the prayer ground while the khutbah is being delivered. It is equally forbidden to talk, walk about or offer prayer while the sermon is being delivered.

It should also be noted that it is in the tradition of the Prophet (SAW) that Muslims give out Sadaqat-ul-fitr preferably before the eid prayers are observed. It is usually paid for and on behalf of all Muslims in a household, the young and the old. It may be paid in kind and this may feature three to four seers of wheat, barley, rice or any staple food (Sahih Bukhari 24:70).

Lately, Muslim scholars have addressed the necessity of monetizing this act of worship based on existential necessities. At various Islamic centres across the country, announcement is regularly made of a certain amount of money to be paid by individuals in lieu of giving Sadaqat ul-Fitr out in kind. This falls under the legal rubric – maslahat al-Ammah – the promotion of the public convenience. Whether it is given out in cash or in kind, the more important issue is the intention behind the act.

The intention should be the extension of the happiness of the occasion to brethren who are experiencing adversity. The point is that those with wherewithal should desire for their brothers and sisters the same quality of life the like of which the Almighty has been kind to grant unto them.

Another meritorious act of worship recommended for Muslims immediately after fasting in the month of Ramadan is what is termed: Sita-sh-Shawwal (Six Days of Shawwal) on which the Prophet (SAW) was reported to have said: “He who observes the fast throughout Ramadan and then follows it up with observing the fast on the first six days of Shawwal is as if he had observed the fast throughout the year.” (Muslim). However, it has been clarified by scholars that the six days of fasting can be observed the month of Shawwal, it does not have to be the fist six days of the month.

“O Allah! Let us complete the month of Ramadan in such a manner to meet Your satisfaction; spare us from Your punishment and the Fire of Hell and let our final abode be in Your Paradise. O Allah! Accept our fasting and prayers during the Holy Month; forgive our mistakes and sins and help us observe Your commands to be prepared for what is to come. O Allah! Let us be steadfast in the right path all the time, whether during Ramadan or beyond Ramadan.” Aameen!