In Islam, there are two feasts. They are Eid ul-fitr and Eid ul-Adha. When the migrants lived in al-Madina, they saw the Jews celebrating different occasions. The supporters, or al-Muhajiroon had their local feasts. Prophet Mohammad said that Allah replaced their feasts with eid ul-Fitr and eid ul Adha.
The significance of Eid ul-Fitr:
Feasts are times of joy and celebrations in Islam. Islam wants its followers to enjoy being Muslims. Islam is the religion of mercy and tolerance. After fasting during the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate. They celebrate their success in performing the ibada of fasting. They feel the joy that they have worked hard to attain the satisfaction of their Benevolent and Generous Lord. Eid ul-Fitr is a time of joy and happiness. Therefore, all Muslims feel happy on that day.
The approach of Eid ul-Fitr:
Ramadan is the month of fasting. However, Muslim families have divided it into three parts. Each part lasts for about ten days. The first ten days are dedicated to food and drink. This means that the family budget is allocated to providing the necessary food stuffs for breakfasts, suhur and desserts. The second third of the month is dedicated to providing the cakes and sweets for the feast. The women and girls of the family are busy making the eid cakes and desserts. This consumes a considerable portion of the family budget. The last third of the month of Ramadan is usually allocated for buying new children’s clothes for the feast.
Commercial boom in Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr:
This activity of expenditure, buying and selling goods helps the economic boom in Ramadan and on the feast. However, this puts an extra pressure on the family finances. Muslims fast to share the poor’s feelings. To boost the sense of solidarity, Islam has prescribed zakat al-fitr. muslims are recommended to be more charitable during the month of Ramadan and on Eid ul-fitr. zakat al-fitr is prescribed for this reason. The objective of Zakat al-fitr is to help the poor to be able to afford the needs of their siblings and children on the feast.
More details about Zakat al-Fitr:
Muslim scholars have varied concerning Zakat al-Fitr. Some scholars recommend paying Zakat al-Fitr as soon as Ramadan starts. Other scholars insist on paying zakat al-Fitr at the end of ramadan. However, Islam is the religion of ease and tolerance. a Muslim can pay Zakat al-fitr at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of Ramadan. Some scholars say that zakat al-fitr is a way of worship. Zakat ul-fitr is obligatory for all muslims, young and old. Therefore, they insist on paying zakat al-fitr in the form of corn, wheat or raisins, as prophet Mohammad did himself. Others argue that receiving zakat in the form of corn or raisins doesn’t benefit the poor, especially when they want to buy their children food or clothes. That is why such scholars tolerate paying zakat al-fitr in cash.
The acts of Eid ul-Fitr day:
Ramadan is a lunar month. For lunar months to start, Muslims need to see the newborn moon or the new crescent in the sky. Therefore, the last night of Ramadan is really exciting. Muslims anticipate the sighting of the new moon. After sunset on the twenty-ninth of Ramadan, committees are sent to open places to look for the new crescent. If they see it, then the month of Shawwal has begun. Otherwise, Ramadan is thirty days. When it is announced that the feast is the following day, joy, celebrations and excitement are seen all over the Muslim countries. People, especially children, hardly sleep that night.
More details about the feast day:
Now that it has been declared that Ramadan has ended, it is the eid night. Muslims get ready for the eid. After the fajr prayers, Muslims begin to say Takbirat al-eid. The Takbeer goes on till sunrise. all Muslims, old, young, male and female go to open places to attend the eid prayer. Muslims look their best wearing their new clothes. they exchange congratulations on the occasion. Muslims are recommended to go to the open place in a route; and return home through another route. Gradually, worshipers flock to the praying area. Each worshiper sits in a row repeating the Takbeer. When the sun is as high as the length of a spear, the worshipers stop their Takbeer.
How to perform the Eid prayer:
They stand up in rows for the two eid rakat. There is no Adhan nor the usual Iqamah. The Imam leads the prayer, reading aloud the Fatiha and a short surah of the Holy Quran. After the two rakat, the Imam gives a sermon. He reminds the worshipers of the rights of the poor. He thanks Allah on behalf of the worshipers for completing the month of Ramadan. Finally, he makes dua for all the present worshipers, their families and the whole Muslim world.
What muslims do after the Eid prayer:
It is a part of the prophet’s sunnah to break one’s fast immediately after the adhan of al-Fajr. Prophet Mohammad used to do so by eating a few dates or drinking some sips of water. When the worshipers return home after the Eid prayer, they have something to eat and drink. After that they go to their relatives on the feast to congratulate them on the occasion. Children get their eid pocket money, which is exceptionally larger than usual. They go to enjoy the feast. At home, women compete by offering the feast dessert to the guests who come to celebrate the eid. Some Muslims start to fast for six days after the first Eid day. elderly people and women are keen on fasting these additional six days. They benefit from the fast that they are still used to the routine of Ramadan. They apply the sunnah of prophet Mohammad when he said: “Who fasts Ramadan and six days of Shawwal is as if they fasted all their lives.”
