After fasting for 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims around the globe are rewarded with a celebratory festival called Eid-al-Fitr. The sighting of the moon of Shawwal marks the end of Ramadan and brings in the good tidings of Eid. Eid is one of the two big festivals of Islam. After the physically taxing month of Ramadan Muslims are relieved in the form of Eid. It is the occasion of love and forgiveness. Forgoing the hard feeling against the brothers and sisters and spreading love and positivity is an integral part of Eid. Purifying the heart towards one another and greeting each other with salaams and hugs is an essence that spreads positivity and brings the hearts closer.
The night before Eid is also known as Laylatul Jaa’izah or ‘the night of rewards’. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha).” (As-Suyuti)
We often neglect the importance of the night before Eid-al-Fitr. After sighting the moon, the general feeling of happiness and gratitude fills our hearts and we get busy in making preparations and decorations. Let’s not forget the act of worship in the last few hours. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said: “Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.” (Ibn Majah)
THE HISTORY OF EID-AL-FITR
Eid was announced when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah from Makkah. The hadith pertaining to it is narrated by Hazrat Anas in the following manner: “The Holy Prophet came to Madinah, the people had two days in which they used to entertain and amuse themselves. He asked: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to amuse ourselves and take pleasure in these two days during the Days of Ignorance. The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah has substituted for you something better than these two; the Eid of Adha (sacrifice) and the Eid of Fitr .” [Abi Dawood]
CELEBRATIONS IN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS
All religions have different ways of celebrations. While Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are two major celebrations of Muslims, Christmas is the celebration of Christians, Hannukah of Jews, Deepawali of Hindus, etc. Every religion has a concept of making a sense of communal harmony and love prevails within the community. All these festivals make humans feel closer to each other. The time around these festivals is a time of joy, contentment, happiness and love. Religion makes us come together and enjoy as we share moments with one another.
However, Eid is not mere celebration and expression of joy, it is thanking as well. Muslims begin this celebration with Eid prayer which goes to explain that their moments of joy are always loaded with their sense of belonging to Allah, the Creator and Cherisher.
TRADITIONS OF EID AL FITR
Let us have a look at how Muslims begin their celebrations. There are practices from the Sunnah on the day of Eid al-Fitr.
- The Muslims wake up and eat something.
“The Prophet ﷺ did not go (to the place of prayer) in the morning on the days of Eid al-Fitr till he ate some dates, and he used to eat an odd number.” (Bukhari)
- Before going to the mosque, it is required to give charity, which is called Zakat al-Fitr. The main aim is to remember the underprivileged amid all the happiness. To include those in celebrations who are deprived of it. Giving alms before the celebrations ensures the fact that they can arrange for themselves accordingly.
- After eating we adorn our best clothes or new clothes and head over to the mosque for Eid prayer. Eid prayer is different from other prayers as there is no call to prayer. After the Eid prayer, a sermon takes place, which ends with an intense Dua that makes almost every Muslim, man or woman, weep with great emotive feelings for Allah.
- When the prayer is over, Muslims hug everyone and say Eid Mubarak.
- Some Muslims go to the graveyard and pray to Allah for their loved ones who are no more with them on this blessed day of celebration. They pray for their good life in hereafter.
- Another Sunnah that follows is changing the routes while. “On the day of Eid, the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to return by a different route from the one he had taken when going out.” (Bukhari)
- One more tradition that is an integral part of Eid is the preparation of good food. While the tables are adorned with sweet dishes, savoury items are also made to cleanse the palate.
- On Eid al-Fitr friends and relatives make it a point to visit each other. Relatives living in different cities or countries come back home to spend time and create memories, with their near relatives.
- During social gatherings the tradition of exchanging gifts also takes place. The excitement of receiving gifts is especially seen among the kids. Exchanging gifts is a tradition whose superficial characteristic is to share the mutual feeling of love. Thus, Eid al-Fitr inherits a deeper sense of love and bond towards each other.
Eid al-Fitr, with all its glory and anticipation, brings about absolute happiness in the community and Zakat al-Fitr reminds us to never forget the underprivileged, let us make it a point to include everyone in these moments of celebration and happiness.
May we all have a blessed Eid!