EID UL FITR CELEBRATION (END OF RAMADAN FESTIVAL) IS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING TO ALLAH (SWT)
by Syarif Hidayat*
Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the End of Ramadan Fasting Month Festival on Thursday, August 8, 2013 (1 Shaw’wal, 1434H). EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw’waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-ul-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: الفطر عيد ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, IPA: [ʕiːd al fitˤr], “festival of breaking of the fast”), also called Feast of Breaking the Fast, the Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), the Sweet Festival and the Lesser Eid (the Greater Eid is Eid ul-Adha), is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day.
The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. However in most countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.
Eid ul-Fitr has a particular Salat (Islamic prayer) consisting of two Rakats (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall. It may only be performed in congregation (Jama’at) and, has an additional extra six Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying “Allāhu Akbar”, literally “God is greatest”), three of them in the beginning of the first raka’ah and three of them just before Ruku’ in the second raka’ah in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.
Other Sunni schools usually have twelve Takbirs, seven in the first, and five at the begining of the second raka’ah. This Eid al-Fitr salat is, depending on which juristic opinion is followed, Fard (obligatory), Mustahabb (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory) or mandoob (preferable). Muslims believe that they are commanded by God Amighty Allah, as mentioned in the Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat and fitra before offering the Eid prayers.
Eid ul Fitr 2013 is going to be celebrated on Thursday, the 8th of August this year. If you are hoping to take part in it then you need to know exactly how it is celebrated though. This will help you to prepare yourself and you will also have a deeper appreciation for the day.
How You Can Prepare and Celebrate It
Sunnah of Eid
- Wake up early.
- Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
- Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
- Brush your teeth.
- Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
- Use perfume (men only).
- Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
- Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
- Go to prayer ground early.
- Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
- Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.
- Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great, Allah is Great
Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great
La illaha il Allah
there is no God, but Allah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great, Allah is Great
walilahil Hamd
to Him belongs all Praise
Eid ul Fitr represents the end of the month of Ramadan. This is a month where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. During these times they are not allowed to eat any food, nor are they allowed to drink anything while it is still daytime out. The reason why fasting is so important to the Muslims is because of what it represents. It represents sacrifice. Sacrifice is a way to show appreciation or a way to show a certain level of commitment. Fasting also means self-restraint and purification. You might not want to take part in the fast that leads up to Eid ul Fitr 2013, but it will make the day have a lot more meaning for you if you did. Muslims in the states who are serious will follow the month of Ramadan.
Not only is the month leading up to Eid ul Fitr about fasting, but it is also a way to pay respect. Eid ul Fitr is is the ending of the month long fasting as already stated. Muslims look at this as a reward for all they have gone through during this time. So this means when they get the chance to celebrate they make sure they celebrate hard. Eid does not start though until the sighting of the new moon. But once it does take place it is a happy occasion for all. It is a time to spread about happiness, love and other positive emotions.
In 2013 like other years, Eid ul Fitr is going to be celebrated with a great sense of enthusiasm and energy. People are going to do some of the things they have always done such as decorating their houses or making nice tasting sweets in order to celebrate the festival. This is something you might want to think about doing in order to celebrate Eid ul Fitr. One of the best ways for you to celebrate Eid would be for you to make sure you wear new clothes. New clothes represent purification. Seeing as how you would have just completed a month of fasting, the new clothes are appropriate. There should also be special prayer ceremonies in nearby mosques you can take part in.
Another thing you might want to do in order to celebrate Eid ul Fitr 2013 would be to give gifts and cards to family and friends. The gifts do not have to be elaborate, just colorful and thoughtful. They should be in line with what the holiday represents in order to give them meaning.
Two great Islamic festival: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ul-Azha. Its importance can be judged from the fact that Almighty Allah Himself ordered the believers to celebrate it. Eid-ul-Fitr has a special significance for the Muslim society. Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) established the Islamic egalitarian society, free of all kinds of exploitation and corruption, and maintaining the sanctity of this society was made the obligation of the believers in every age.
For this purpose, the holy month of fasting (Ramadan) was selected to help prepare believers for this responsibility. In this training, during the specific fasting periods believers are required to refrain from enjoying such things, which are otherwise lawful for them. The purpose of this exercise is mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Quran: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).” (Al Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqara, Verse:183)
Believers happily obey these injunctions to please Almighty Allah. Such an exercise has pleasant effects on the practical life of believers and, in their practical life, helps them refrain from adopting corrupt ways. Some jurists maintain that Itikaf (Etekaaf) during the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan is also a part of this training. In this worship, the believer confines himself in a mosque for the specified period of time.
The Islamic society, established in the light of the above teachings was a symbol of the greatness of Almighty Allah on this earth. Actually it was a gigantic achievement, which deserved all kinds of rejoicing. That is why Almighty Allah Himself asked the believers to enjoy this occasion, In this respect the Holy Quran says: “Say: “In the Bounty of Allâh, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islâm and the Qur’ân); -therein let them rejoice.” That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.” (Al Qur’an, Surah Yunus, Verse:58)
Simplicity a symbol of the Islamic society
The celebration of the festival of Eid Fitr is itself a model of an egalitarian Islamic society, and Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) best explained this model by his personal example. It is reported that he used to wear a special dress to grace the occasion, but it was never a costly one and was always within the reach of everybody. Once Umar brought a costly dress for him requesting him to wear it on Eid days and other ceremonial occasions. Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) immediately returned the dress observing that it did not behave a believer to wear such a costly dress. The result was that all the Companions dressed simply on this occasion and consequently this simplicity became a symbol of the Islamic society.
Today, the provision of shelter, dress and food are enumerated as the three basic human needs, and equality in meeting these needs results in all egalitarian society. Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) already solved the issue of shelter once and for all. He himself lived in a simple house and expected his Companions to follow him in this respect.
Once when a wealthy Companion built a palatial building, Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) disliked it to such an extent that he socially boycotted that Companion (Sunnan Abu Daud, vol.4, p. 487). As a result of the Holy Prophet’s stern attitude in this respect, none of the Companions ever dared to have an edge over his fellow believers in the matter of construction of buildings. Due to this policy, even the poor in the society were able to have shelter for themselves.
By dressing simply on this happiest occasion of Eid Fitr, Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) solved the issue of the second basic need of the society. The third basic need of society is food. Today this need has attained such an importance that it results in political change in many developing countries. By taking various steps, Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) ensured that nobody was deprived of this basic need in the Islamic society. But the situation on festivals is usually different. On this day, everybody tries to enjoy special dishes, which normally the poor cannot afford.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) held this point in view, and he made such an efficient arrangement that not only was good food guaranteed for all the poor of the society on that day, but also some of their other needs were met.
Sadaqa-ul-Fitr (Zakat-e-Fitr)
He ordered the rich believers to pay a fixed amount of money to the poor on that day or before that day. This is known as “Sadaqa-ul-Fitr (Zakat-e-Fitr)”, and its rate varies according to the price of grain. A huge amount of money can be collected under this system which may be sufficient to meet the needs of the poor on this day, and some of it may be saved to meet their needs in other difficult times.
Nowadays in many localities, (Sadaqa-ul-Fitr) is adjusted against the emoluments of the Imams of the local mosques, and the poor in the Muslim society air deprived of a big chunk of money which may practically convert the present-day Muslim society into an egalitarian society. It may be mentioned here that the sacred festival of Eid Fitr has been selected by Almighty Allah Himself to guide the believers to establish an egalitarian Islamic society on the face of this earth. The Holy Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan about which it was marked: “It (the Holy Quran) is better than that which they hoard.” (Surah Yunus, Verse 58)
Hoarding symbolizes a non-egalitarian society, which encourages the hoarding of essential articles. This is done to fleece the needy persons. The Holy Quran was revealed to eliminate this evil in all its details, and the month of Ramadan was selected for this purpose. The successful completion of all the various steps for establishing such an egalitarian society deserves rejoicing. Nowadays the Muslims with great pomp and show celebrate Eid Fitr, but unfortunately its real spirit is ignored. That is why the present-day Muslim society age, instead of becoming an egalitarian one, has been divided into haves and have-nots.
This state of affairs has not only robbed the majority of Muslims of their peace of mind, but has also converted them into the weakest nation of the world. Such a situation demands that steps be taken to celebrate this occasion of Eid Fitr in the same sprit as during the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). In this way Muslims will be able to convert their present day society into an Islamic egalitarian one. It will prove beneficial for humanity as it proved so during the early periods of Islam.
End of Ramadan Festival
The day immediately following the end of the holy month of Ramadan is called Eid Fitr. In other words, it falls on the first day of Shawwal Al-Mukarram. It is one of the greatest Islamic festivals. Eid Fitr is the Day of Thanksgiving to Allah, for giving His servants the opportunity to fast and to worship Him in the month of Ramadan. On this Day, Muslims leave their jobs, wear clean clothes, offer special Eid Prayers, and after prayers go to visit one another and take part in festivities. Small children wear beautiful new clothes, and are very busy enjoying the festival. Their angelic faces beam with joy.
Islam wants that all Muslims, whether rich or poor, should enjoy Eid. It has, therefore, commanded all the well-to-do people to pay the Zakat-e-Fitr. This Zakat-e-Fitr is paid on the very day of Eid Fitr. It consists of 3 kilograms of one’s daily food or its equivalent in cash. The payment of Zakat-e-Fitr is obligatory upon every person who is adult, sane and free at the time of the sunset on the last day of Ramadan, and is also not dependent upon others for means of subsistence. If the person concerned is the head of a family, it is incumbent upon him to pay his own Zakat-e-Fitr as well.
Zakat-e-Fitr is the right of the poor and the needy, and can be spent for those purposes only, for which Zakat, payable on property, is expendable. This includes helping the deserving people and building hospitals, bridges, schools, etc. Nowadays, Zakat-e-Fitr is paid without any planning, with the result that the deserving people do not derive any suitable benefit from it. It would be better if the Zakat-e-Fitr paid by all the people, is collected in one place and spent after proper planning, so that the condition of a good number of needy persons may improve.
Eid Al-Fitr 2013: A Celebration At The End Of Ramadan
One of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid, is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan (a holy month of fasting observed by Muslims). This year Eid al-Fitr will most likely be observed on Thursday, August 8, 2013 in the United States. It is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Traditionally, the observance begins with the sighting of the new moon. While many will wait to see the moon or an announcement from Mecca, the Fiqh Council of North America has determined that Eid al-Fitr 2012 will fall on August 8, 2013, based on astronomical calculations.
According to a hadith attributed to Anas ibn Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were instituted by the Prophet after his journey from Mecca to Medinah.
“When the Prophet arrived in Medinah, he found people celebrated two specific days in which they used to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked them about the nature of these festivities to which they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two days [of festivity] instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The first Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar. To mark the beginning of Eid and in accordance with the Sunnah, or practices of the Prophet Muhammad, many Muslims wake up early in the morning and pray Salat ul-Fajr, or the pre-dawn prayer. After brushing their teeth, taking a bath and wearing perfume, they have breakfast before heading off to perform special congregational prayers known as Salaat al-Eid. Many Muslims recite the takbir, a declaration of faith, on the way to the prayer ground and give special charitable contributions known as Zakat al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr is a day of great merriment and thanksgiving. Muslims celebrate by gathering with friends and family, preparing sweet delicacies, wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts and putting up lights and other decorations in their homes. A common greeting during this holiday is Eid Mubarak, which means, “Have a blessed Eid!” (T/E1/P04)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
*Editor of MINA (He can be contacted via email: [email protected])
This article has also been published in the website: UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
Bibliotheque:
- www.theworldevents.com
- www.huffingtonpost.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- /walk2islam.blogspot.com
- www.islamicity.com
