AccordingtotheIslamictradition,Eid al-Fitrliterallymeansfestivalofbreakingthefast. This year it was celebratedin India on April 22. Like otherfestivals,thisisasymbolofanimportantarticleoffaith – itremindsoneof the Islamic beliefs intheformof socialpractice.
Muslimsbelievethathumanlifeisdividedintotwoparts –thepre-deathandthepost-deathperiods.Onewhofollows the CommandmentsofGodinthe pre-deathperiodwillberewardedinthepost-deathperiod. JustbeforeEid celebration,MuslimsobservefastforthewholemonthofRamadhan.The Qur’ān (2:183)says:“Believers!Fastingisenjoineduponyou,asitwasenjoineduponthosebeforeyou,thatyoubecomeGodfearing.”
Thisfastingisnotsimplygivingupof foodbutsymbolisesabstentionfromallkindsofpracticesthatareunlawfulinIslam.RamadhanremindsMuslims toleadtheirliveswitha senseofresponsibility.Eid sermonasksbelieverstoleadtheremainderelevenmonthsofthe yearinobediencetotheAlmighty.Eid,thus,denotestherewardthatwillbegivenbyAlmightyinthehereafterinreturnforourgooddeeds. Eidalsohasaspecialconnotation.
ThoughitmaybeaMuslim festivalyet Muslims,likeothercommunities,liveamong different communities,in asociety,in aneighbourhood. Therefore,on thisday,MuslimsofferacongregationalprayerandexchangegreetingsnotonlywiththeirreligiousbrothersbutalsowiththeirNon-Muslimneighbours andwiththeircolleaguesatworkor inbusiness, andinvitethemforspecialfood.ItisthisaspectofEidthathasledtothepracticeofEid Milan, whichisinviting Non-Muslimbrethren tojoin.Inthissense,what beginsas a Muslimtraditionturnsintoa socialfestivalofharmony.
Eidactuallyspreads peaceand harmonyamongthe countrymen.Eid al-Fitr hasaform, butatthesametime,thereis aspiritualintentinthefestivity.Intermsofform,itmayseemtobealimitedfestival, butin termsofspirit,itis auniversalfestival.IfEidisobservedinitstruespirit,itwillenergisethewholecommunity,bringingpeopleofallfaithstogether in harmonyand gratitude.Eid al-Fitr thereforetrulymeansafestivalofhuman kind.
In thewholemonthofRamadhan,man develops spiritualitywhich giveshimtheopportunitytobreaktheshacklesoffearanddevotehisentirelifetoseetheexclusivepleasureofAlmighty.Duringthe wholemonthbeforeEid,Zakat (poorman’s dueiscollectedandtheamountisusedto help thepoorandneedytobuyessentialsforEidcelebrations.Therefore,Eidisalsoahumanfestival.
India hasbeenacountrythathasaccepted allfaithswith theircultural diversity.Let thepeopleofeach religion celebrate festivalsaccordingtotheirrituals withjoyandhappinessintruespirit.