Be thankful to God at the end of Ramadan

Friday will be a great day for praising God and thanking him for a successful month of fasting, the sermon will say.

On this day, Muslims will enjoy increased rewards and favours from God. Mosque-goers will be told to be grateful to Allah for granting them success with their fasting and night prayers during Ramadan.

On the blessed day of Eid, Muslims come forth to offer Eid prayers to God and celebrate His remembrance, as is said in the Quran: “Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.” (Al Imran: 193)

Muslims will be advised to take part in takbir (saying Allah is the greatest), tahlil (saying there is no deity save Allah) and tahmid (praising God) to thank Him for the bounties He has bestowed upon the Ummah.

The prophets would teach their companions to always perform acts of appreciation, as is directed in the Quran: “But as for the favour of your Lord, report [it].” (Ad-Dhuha: 11)

This Prophet Mohammed would always point out when God bestowed blessings upon him to show his appreciation, saying: “Pointing out the favours of Allah is gratitude.” He also said: “Shouldn’t I be a thankful servant (of Allah)?”

On Eid, Muslims should remember the innumerable favours God has given to them, among them are sending the Prophet to guide them, as the Quran says: “Certainly did Allah confer [great] favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom.” (Al Imran: 164)

Muslims should also thank God for sending them the Quran, the sermon will say.

There are many ways to show gratitude to God, they include teaching children the value of appreciating blessings from Allah, recognising their value and maintaining them.

Children should be raised on noble principles to carry on a legacy of hard work and kindness. This way, their gratitude will be embodied in action and not only in words.

On Friday, worshippers will seek Allah’s favour to render this Eid Al Fitr a happy one and to grant that they be thankful for His bounties.