Introduction
This blog is going to talk about Eid -ul-fitr Rituals. Eid-ul-fitr Rituals discusses the details of the occasion of Eid ul-fitr for Muslims. This is because it is the first day on which Muslims break their fasting. This is the day after the end of Ramadan. In other words, fasting Muslims celebrate concluding their fasting on Eid -ul-fitr. notable to say that fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam.
Preparations for the Eid prayer
Eid ul-fitr rituals start on the first day of Shawwal. Shawwal is the tenth hijri lunar month. In fact, it follows the month of Ramadan. On the other hand, Ramadan is the ninth hijri lunar month on the hijri calendar. Muslims follow the hijri calendar to organize their religious affairs. Such religious affairs are like: the time of paying zakat, pilgrimage, the legal time of a divorced woman and many other juristic Islamic affairs. Practically, Eid ul-fitr starts after sighting the new crescent of shawwal. Generally, it lasts for three consecutive days. During these three days, Muslims celebrate the Eid by eating and drinking. Therefore, they follow the prophet’s sunnah by doing so.
The first time Muslims celebrated Eid ul-fitr
Historically, Muslims began to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in the second year H. This was when fasting was prescribed obligatory for the first time for Muslims. This way, Eid ul-fitr was a reward for Muslims for completing their worship, patience and fasting.
How Muslims celebrate eid ul-fitr
Every year, the Muslim nation celebrates the happy Eid ul-fitr. This happens after the month of Ramadan. So, one of the most notable rituals of Eid ul-fitr is the Eid ul-fitr prayer. Moreover, Muslims exchange visits with their relatives on that day. Happily, they exchange congratulations and go out to parks and open places to celebrate. Many Muslims, especially children, wear new and clean clothes on that day. For this occasion, housewives cook and prepare cakes and desserts for the day. Mosques and streets are decorated with lights and colours. Muslims audibly repeat takbeer on the day of Eid ul-fitr. Muslims are keen on eating some dates before going out to pray Eid ul-fitr prayer.
Eid ul-fitr in different Muslim countries
Truly, Muslim countries vary as to how they celebrate Eid ul-fitr. It is astonishing how they differ from each other in this respect. However, they all agree concerning the days of Eid ul-fitr. They all enjoy the same disposition of celebration. It is true that each country has its own customs and traditions concerning praying eid ul-fitr prayer in the open spaces and big central mosques. there, they listen to the eid sermon. This is specially in al-masjid al-aqsa, al-masjid al-nabawi and al-masjid al-haram in Makkah. They congratulate each other in a joyous atmosphere.
The spiritual meaning of Eid ul-fitr
In essence, Eid ul-Fitr is not just a religious or a social occasion. Rather, it is a spiritual experience. It gives a Muslim’s soul a feeling of joy and tranquility. Eid ul-fitr is a time for contemplation and gratitude. It embodies faith, mercy and the sense of giving. An Eid in Islam usually comes after performing a way of worship. Eid ul-fitr follows fasting in the month of Ramadan. Eid ul-Adha follows performing pilgrimage, hajj. It symbolizes that the real joy is to obey and worship Allah. It also assures us that prayer, alms, and giving the poor reinforces the feeling of social solidarity and unity.
The zakat of Eid ul-fitr
Happiness on Eid ul-fitr is not just temporary joy. It is a feeling of satisfaction and inner peace. relatives get together and renew the social bonds. They exchange congratulations and truthful good wishes. It is a good chance for tolerance and forgiving each other. Eidul-fitr purifies hearts from grudges. Eid ul-fitr is more than decoration. It is a spiritual station which reminds a muslim of the favors and blessings of Allah. Eid ul-fitr reminds a muslim to be grateful to their lord. feeling such emotions adds a deeper dimension. Zakat makes Eid ul-fitr more than an ordinary day of celebration. It is a renewable spiritual experience.
