Praise be to Allah and may Allah raise the rank of Prophet Muhammad and protect his nation from that which he fears for it.

Ayah 58 of Surat Yunus means: Say let them rejoice in the bounty of Allah and His mercy; it is better than what they collect.

O slaves of Allah.

The day of `Eid is a great and glorious day. `Eid -day is an occasion of happiness and joy. As Muslims, joy and happiness in this world is felt when we apply all efforts to obey Allah and perform good deeds that gain reward and success in the Hereafter.

Allah Ta^ala said:

قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

`Eidul-Fitr is celebrated straight after the fasting of the month of Ramadan. Muslims after performing the obligatory fasting of the month of Ramadan become more deserving of Allah’s forgiveness and protection from Hellfire. Thus, Allah has specified for the Muslims upon their completion of fasting a festive day in which they gather to thank Allah and praise Him. Allah allocated also on that day for the Muslims a specific prayer (Salatul-`Eid) and a specific donation (sadaqah).

Dear brothers and sisters, on this holy occasion of `Eid Al-Fitr let us be reminded to strengthen ties with our kin, to fast the optional six days of Shawwal, to visit the graves of our dead brothers and sisters and to recite the Qur’an at their graves, to benefit them.

On this note I remind you fellow brothers to pay the due Zakat upon you and your family members before the sunset of this day.

Also, one should not forget his to take care of his neighbours and to be kind to them. On this note Al-Bukhariyy narrated through the route of ^Aisha, may Allah raise her rank, that the Prophet said: Angel Jibril persisted to stress the matter about being gracious to one’s neighbor to the point where I almost assumed he would be entitled to inheritance.

On a last note, fellow brothers, this joyous occasion of `Eid-ul Fitr should not make us forget our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who continue to suffer day after day and even on a day like today.

We ask Allah to relieve them and us from all calamities and ill returns; as we ask Allah to grant us and them goodness, prosperity and victory with the return of Ramadan next year.