Eid-ul-Fitr

EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal, at the completion of the holy month Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim year),. Infact it is the ‘festival of fast breaking’ and is most celebratory of all Muslim festivals. The festival is significant as much for its timing, as for its religious implications. Legend says that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the last ten days of Ramadan. Moreover, the month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad — the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah.

The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day. 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.

On the day Muslims Wake up early, Take a Ghusl (bath) offer Fajr namaz and Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones and most of the use perfume (men only).  After having breakfast they leave for Eid Gah (a big paly ground type) for offering Eid Namaz. Pay Zakaat, Sad-qa-ie Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid. From home to the Eidgah and back usually two separate routes are used to and from the prayer ground which is regarded as Sunnat.  On the way the Takbir Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.  (Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah) is recited loudly.

Structure of Eid prayer: Eid prayer is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. At the conclusion of the prayer the Muslims convey greetings to each other give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. They also take this as an opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture and share with them the happiness of Eid.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain