Eid-ul-Fitr 2012/1433 - Chand Raat/The Night Preceding

It is absolutely crazy outside my house.  I don't think I have ever seen so many people in festive mood here.  The traffic is gridlocked and the roads are heaving with shoppers and people just outside enjoying the atmosphere and women getting their henna done.

However, the night before Eid-ul-Fitr is also a night of worship, known as Lailatul Jaiza or the Night of Reward:

Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah).

“When it is the last night [of Ramadan], they are forgiven, all of them.”
So a man from the people said, “Is it the Night of Power?” And the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “No, do you not see that if laborers work, when they finish their tasks, they are given their wages?” – Bayhaqi

So with all of the fun and feasting, I make dua that I do not lose the spirit of Ramadan completely and that some of it seeps into the rest of the months of the year.  Insh'Allah I will be reminding the kids and myself to remember Allah (SWT) and thank him throughout this night and the coming days of Eid.

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