Surely, We sent down the Quran during the Night of Decrees. How shouldst thou know what is the Night of Decrees? The Night off Decrees is better than a thousand months. Therein descend angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord with their Lord’s decrees concerning every matter. It is all peace till the break of dawn. (Holy Quran Ch. 97:2-6).

Abu Huraira relates that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: He who offers voluntary prayers during the Night of Decrees out of sincerity of faith and in hope of earning merit will have his past sins forgiven him. (Bukhari and Muslim).

Ibn Umar relates that some of the companions of the Holy Prophet dreamt that the Night of Decrees was among the last seven nights of Ramadhan, whereupon the Holy Prophet said: I see that your dreams all agree upon the last seven nights. Whoever, then, seeks the Night of Decrees should look for it among the last seven nights of Ramadban. (Bukhari and Muslim).

Ayesha relates that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: seek the Night of Decrees among the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan (i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th). Anas says that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of God be upon him, said: During the Night of Decrees, the Archangel, Gabriel, appears with a host of angels and all of them pray for the person who may be standing or silting in prayers to Allah the Exalted.

Special Prayers for the Night of Decrees. Ayesha relates that she asked the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that if ever she happened to discover the Night of Decrees, what special prayer should she recite. The Holy Prophet advised her to say: O our Lord! You are forgiveness personified, Who loves forgiving, therefore forgive me.

Allahhumma innaka ‘afowun tohibhul ‘afwa fa’fo anniy

O Our Lord! You ore forgiveness personified, Who loves forgiving, therefore forgive me.

Fitr Contributions. At the end of the month of  Ramadhan there is a small contribution on behalf of all members of the family to be used for the benefit of the needy. It is reported that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, prescribed this contribution at the end of Ramadhan. It was then equivalent to a measure (said to be sa’a approximately six pounds in weight) of dates or cereals, payable by every free person or servant, male or female, young or old from amongst the believers. An equivalent amount in money may also be paid instead of food grams.

Fitrana is even payable on behalf of a baby born just before Id prayers. The Ahmadiyya community also contributes to the Id Fund which is used for similar purposes and is payable by all earning members of the community. Rates for this are determined by local communities.

Expiation. Persons suffering from illness or those who cannot fast due to old age should, unless the disability is of a more permanent nature, fast and complete the reckoning on other days and expiate the omission by feeding a person for every day of the month of Ramadhan, provided of course they are financially able to do so. This type of feeding or paying of an equivalent amount on behalf of a deceased is also permissible. It incorporates food which one is normally accustomed to having for one’s meals.

This is known as ‘FIDDYA’ and it may be offered at any time during the year i.e. the reckoning may be completed when the disability disappears or the journey ends. The emphasis in the above on the word ‘and‘ cannot be stressed any further as we believe that the expiation can only be achieved by fasting and the feeding of a person as soon as possible. As life is finite, one must not delay in observing this commandment. (See also ‘Sayings of the Promised Messiah’).

Id-ul-Filr. At the end of the month of Ramadhan the festival to mark the end of fasts is celebrated by congregational prayers. This is governed by the following injunctions:

1. To proceed to the prayers of Id-ul-Fitr after paying the Fitr contributions (see above).
2. It is desirable to have a bath in the morning.
3. The use of scents was a tradition of the Holy Prophet.
4. The Holy Prophet used to eat something before going to Id-ul-Fitr prayers.
5. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet to proceed for the prayers on foot and to return by a different route.
6. Women are also exhorted to come to the prayers.
7. There is no Azan (Call to Prayers) nor Iqama (the shorter call) before the Id-ui-Fitr prayers.
8. There are twelve Takbirats (with both hands raised ear high and saying Allaho Akbar, Allah is the Greatest) in the Prayers, seven in the first Rakaat and five in the second.
9. The Holy Prophet is reported t0 have exhorted the be­lievers to decorate the Id prayers with special Takbirs.^[*]
10. Prayers are followed by a sermon which forms part of the Eid prayers and should be listened to attentively.

[*] Allaho Akbar, Allaho Akbar, Lailaha Illollaho, Wallah Akbar, Allaho Akbar, Walillahil Hamd (Allah is Great, Allah is Great; There is none worthy of worship save Allah; Allah is Great, Allah is Great; All praise belongs to Allah).