Eid ul Fitr 2010: The Prize From Almighty Allah (S.W.T) For Fasting in Ramadan

Eid ul Fitr is linked with the Holy month of Ramadan. It signifies the end of the month of fasting (the first day of the month of Shawwal, 10^th month of Islamic year). Sacrifice and kindness are the two things that are associated with Eid ul Fitr. The month of Ramadan is completely devoted to these kind deeds, in order to be answerable to God after death and this day is also celebrated to thank God for everything that he has given to the mankind.

Eid ul Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs. Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims thank Allah (SWT) for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan.

This day, in Muslim world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The rejoicing is not, however, at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it is the happiness which man feels after successfully completing an important task. It is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid ul Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation.

After 30 days of fasting from August 12 to September 10, 2010, Ramadan has finally ended with a celebration called “Eid ul Fitr” or sometimes spelled as Eid ul Fitr. It is also called "Meethi Eid" (Sweet Festivity) becuase Muslims follow the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) of eating something Sweet before going for Eid Prayer. The word “Eid” is an Arabic word referring to as festivity while the word “Fitr” means break-fasting. As commanded by Quran, Muslims should complete their fasting on the last day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir or “Allahu Akbar” all throughout the period of Eid.

Typically, during Eid al Fitr, Muslims try to follow the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). Here is what the Prophet (P.B.U.H) use to do on the day of Eid (Sunnah), May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him:

1. To rise early in the morning.
2. Take a full bath.
   Clean the teeth.
   Wear the best cloths that he had.
   To use perfume (Gents Only).
3. To eat something sweet like dates before leaving home.
4. Go to the Eid prayer location very early. (The Prophet (P.B.U.H) use to offer Eid prayer in the central location that is not to offer it in a mosque of a locality without any legitimate excuse).
5. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to go to the Eid Prayer location by one route and will return through another route.
6. He (P.B.U.H) used to go for Eid on foot.
7. He (P.B.U.H) used to chant slowly on the way to the Eid prayer location the following words: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd.” (Translation: Allah is the greatest, He is the greatest. There is no god except Allah. He is the greatest. All praises and thanks are for Him)
8. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to give Sadqa-e-Fitr (zakatul fitr) for before the Eid day. But if you have not done so please give now before the Eid. (Giving just before Eid is ok but against the spirit and the purpose of it.)

"Chand Raat" 2010 - - Alwida Ramadan Kareem, Welcome to Eid

"Chand Raat" ... Festival Before Eid:

'Chand Raat' is considered to be the eve of Eid Moon or the night of the sighting of the new moon. The term Chand Raat refers to the evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is observed. It is celebrated as a very special occasion by Muslims all over the world. Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is a multicultural Islamic celebration/event. Chand Raat which means 'night of the moon ' in the Urdu language marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid ul Fitr. Since the Islamic Calendar is lunar, Eid ul-Fitr is on the first of Shawwal - the tenth month of the Islamic year.

"Chand Raat" ... Markets and Bazaars:

On this special night, City streets, markets, shopping malls gives a look of a festival. They are decorated very brightly. Markets and shopping malls remain open till late night. This is the eve on which gifts are exchanged among friends, family and loved ones. People wear their best dresses to celebrate and enjoy this eve. Parents try their best to get the best clothes and Eid gifts for their children so that they can enjoy the full excitement of Eid day.

Young girls shopping on Chand Raat



Read the latest and more comprehensive article on Chand Raat 2011 and its festivities  

The Jewel of Sindh: The Great Manchar Lake of Dadu

Lake Manchar is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan and one of Asia's largest. It is located west of the Indus River, in Dadu District, Sindh. The area of the lake fluctuates with the seasons from as little as 350 km² to as much as 520 km². The lake collects water from numerous small streams in the Kirthar Mountains and empties into the Indus River.



It is located in Dadu.

Being a natural
storage it was free from the defects and drawbacks of an artificial
storage. Manchar Lake has been substantially supporting various economic
activities. It provided a livelihood for a large number of fishermen,
irrigation water for various crops and aquatic plants including lotus.
The lake could have also contributed a lot in boosting up tourism
industry if its beautification was properly maintained. However due to
various reasons the primitive beauty and usefulness of the lake have
been degraded.

History:



The lake was created in the 1930s when the Sukkur Barrage was constructed on the river Indus. The lake is fed by two canals, the Aral and the Danister from the river Indus. Until recently the lake supported thousands of fisherfolk it is in near to village kot lashari bobak railway satation.who depended on the freshwater fish they caught in the lake. However, the lake is now undergoing environmental degradation resulting in the water becoming saline killing off the fish and forcing the fisherfolk to look elsewhere for employment.

Environmental Degradation:

The degradation has been occurring for a long time but only recently have the effects been felt. The diversion of water from the Indus and a diminished storm runoff from the Kirthar mountains have contributed to the reduction in fresh water supplies. At the same time, saline drainage water from agricultural fields in surrounding areas has started to flow into Lake Manchar. However between 16 august to 22 august 2009, 700 cusecs of water was introduced in the lake via Indus River.



The lake was a stop-off on the Indus flyway for Siberian migratory birds, but recently the numbers have fallen from 25,000 birds counted in 1988 to just 2800 bird counted in 2002, because the lake no longer provides the birds' main food, the lake fish. In the place of the birds, the lake now hosts a saline water reed.

The lake also provided large volumes of water for irrigation but this has also been reduced and has resulted in a great reduction in the area irrigated by the lake.

Population:


Nowadays, Lake Manchar is populated by the houseboat people of Mohana.

August 14, 2010 - - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

August 14, 2010 - - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Pakistan is one of the biggest Muslim states in the world today. The country emerged out of the Indian sub-continent in the world map of 1947. The word ‘Pakistan’ has been coined from the names of those regions that make up this nation of Punjab, Afgan Border States, Kashmir, Sindh and Baluchistan and even after 1947, Pakistan remained as authority for nine years.

14th August is a common date like other dates of English calendar for nations but for Pakistani nation, this date is considered the most remarkable day in the history of Pakistan. Pakistan came into being on 14th August according to English calendar while according to Islamic calendar; it was 27th of Ramadan when Allah blessed Muslims with the pious homeland. 27th Ramadan has religious importance as the revelation of Holy Quran on Holy Prophet {P.B.U.H.} finished this month.

The well known people like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan are always written in golden words in the history of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah also known as Quaid-e-Azam is the real founder of Pakistan. Allama Iqbal, who excited Muslims to earn their own nationality and name in the world. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who brought Muslim nation forward and established schools and colleges for Muslims so that they may come to know how to fulfill the latest demands of the advance age, We must celebrate 14th August as it is our independence day.

14 August is a National holiday of Pakistan in which the capital Islamabad and other major cities of Pakistan like the Government Offices are lit up as well as all the larger skyscrapers. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the provincial capitals. In the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by the Nazim (Mayor) belonging to that constituency.

Many school and college of this country organize the 14^th August function in which in this event scouts raise the flag and sing this country’s National Anthem called PAK SAR ZAMEEN and then they move on to celebrate some cultural activities. Even students become very generous when they collect money from their various classes and donate it to all the poor and needy people of this country. Families and friends celebrate these occasions with wonderful lunch and dinner and also celebrate their small parties among them selves. Some small children celebrate themselves with the flag decorating and chant the national slogan called PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

Ramadan Kareem: The Holy Month of Ramadan and Its Blessings

Ramadan Kareem

Every year, Muslims all over the world observe a month-long fast during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar: Ramadan, also known as Ramadhan or Ramazan.

All Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food and drink. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are exempted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. The fasting during Ramadan is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

Muslims believe that this month is filled with blessings, and it is appropriate to wish well, everyone who’s observing it, at the beginning of the month. While friendly words in any language are welcome, there are some traditional or common Arabic greetings that one may use or come across:

• "Ramadan Kareem!" ("Noble (or Generous) Ramadan!")
• "Ramadan Mubarak!" ("Blessed Ramadan!")

At the end of the month, Muslims observe a holiday called Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).

Holy Qur’an describes this months as:

[2:185] "Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation."

In fact, many regard it as the holiest time of the Muslim year. The principle outward characteristic of Ramadan is that Muslims are expected to fast all day, every day. Traditionally the times of fast are marked as whenever a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. Once those threads can no longer told apart, eating is permitted.

Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the Five Pillars, meaning it is one of the five most basic beliefs/acts which a Muslim has to do. However, it's not accurate to say that everyone simply goes without food or water - there are quite a few rules which apply to it. For one thing, a Muslim must consciously formulate the intention to fast as part of a rite. This is to prevent fasting from becoming an empty symbol which people don't give much thought to. The full formulation reads: "to fast tomorrow to acquit my duty towards God of fasting Ramadan this year."

Exemptions
There are all sorts of ways in which a person can legitimately be exempted from fasting:

Young Children
People in poor health
Pregnant women
Nursing women
Menstruating women
Travellers, if the distance travelled is great
If one feeds thirty poor people each day

The status of children is actually mixed. The youngest are not expected to fast, but as they get older they gradually begin fasting for more and more of the day until they are able to go the entire day without food or water without endangering one's health.

Although travellers and menstruating women can be exempted from fasting, they are nevertheless expected to make up the same number of missed days some time later in the year after Ramadan. Thus, they fast the same number of days as everyone else, but not at the same time.

Feeding thirty poor people each day is a technical excuse for avoiding the fast which everyone must observe, but it is rare for a rich person to actually use this exemption. It would be looked up very, very badly by the rest of the community and the rich person would probably lose much too much respect for it to be worthwhile.

Forbidden

There are also a number of things which would not otherwise qualify as food, but which are also prohibited:

Putting drops in the eyes
Saliva leaving the mouth and then re-entering
Sex
Listening to music
Harsh words/arguments

The theological reason for abstaining from food, water and other things is to better learn the nature of personal limitation. It is believed that knowledge cannot be acquired unless a person can first learn his or her limits - then, and only then, can the true nature of something become evident. Muslims also believe that fasting during Ramadan allows them to purify themselves through a kind of sacrifice.

Because the Muslim calendar is lunar rather than solar, the month of Ramadan moves through the year. Thus, sometimes if falls during the winter when the days are shorter and fasting is easier but other times it falls during the summer when the days are longer and fasting is more difficult.

After the sun sets, Muslims break their fast first with a small meal and then, often, a larger meal later on in the evening. It is also common for Muslims to take a meal early in the morning before dawn, a meal known as suhur. There are musicians and others who volunteer to walk through town to wake people for this early meal.