Eid-ul-Fitr (The Festival of Fast Breaking)

 Eid-ul-Fitr

(The Festival of Fast Breaking)

Dr. Ghazala Munir

This religious festival in fact is an expression of thanks giving to Allah Almighty for His grace in enabling His faithful servants to observe the fasting month of Ramazan besides the daily ‘Taravih Prayers’, recitation of the ‘Holy Qur’an' and works of charity.

According to Hazrat Anas (RDA), when the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) migrated to Madinah, he found that the people of the town had set aside two days in the year for fun, sport and merry marking. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) told the Muslims of Madinah that Allah had appointed two better days for them in the year, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr and the day of Eid ul-Azha.

The Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on the first of the lunar month of Shawwal. This religious festival in fact is an expression of thanks giving to Allah Almighty for His grace in enabling His faithful servants to observe the fasting month of Ramazan besides the daily Taravih Prayers, recitation of the Holy Qur’an and works of charity. While Eid ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of lunar month of Zil-Hajj to commemorate the great sacrifice offered by prophets Ibrahim and Ismail (AS) to please Allah.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The heart of the person who remains awake (in lbadaat) during the night of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Azha will not die on the day when hearts will be dead, i.e. the Day of Qiyamah.”

The nights of both Eids i.e. the nights proceeding the Days of Eid are auspicious occasions which should be observed with reverence and worship. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said that these nights are great occasions of lbadaat and of gaining the proximity and special Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.

These blessed nights, should therefore not be allowed to pass by in idleness. Full advantage should be taken of these opportunities by offering obedience and lbadaat unto Allah Ta’ala to the best of our abilities. lstighfaar (seeing forgiveness for sins), Tilaawat (reciting the Qur'an), Nafl Salaat, Durood, etc. should be profusely offered on these blessed nights.

Among the reward which will be obtained as a result of observing the sanctity of these glorious Eid Nights, the greatest reward in the tiding conveyed to us by Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in the above mentioned Hadith, viz. the heart will not be smitten with terror and fear on the Day of Qiyamah when the upheavals of the Day will be so fearsome that men will appear to be intoxicated.

Eid ul-Fitr, the festival which marks the end of Ramazan occurs on I Shawwal, the first day of the following month, and its celebration extends over a period of three days. This occasions is a time of great joy and thankfulness for Muslims because they have completed their obligation of fasting, a month long discipline of the body and appetites, and it is an occasion for celebration. The festival is characterized by a special ‘Salat’, visiting and exchanging greetings and good wishes, and it is a time of special happiness for the children.

The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Verily, on the day of Eid ul-Fitr when the lmaam comes out for day of Eid Salaat, there is no Call (Azaan), no lqaamah nor anything on that day.”

Great Rewards:

From the above mentioned Hadith it is clear that on the Days of Eid, the Takbeer should not be recited at the place where the Eid Salaat is to be performed. Everyone should engage themselves in Zikr and Takbeer silently. The day of Eid is not merely a festive occasion. A Muslim acquires great rewards from and draws close to Allah if he spends the day of Eid according to the teachings of Shariah and Holy Prophet (ﷺ). The following eleven things have been prescribed to be done on Eid ul-Firt.

1.     To rise early in the morning.

2.     To brush the teeth.

3.     To have bath for Eid after the Fajr prayer.

4.     To put on the best available dress.

5.     To use the perfume.

6.     To arrange for one’s personal adornment and decoration.

7.     To give away Eid charity (Fitranah, etc.) before departure for the Eid ground.

8.     To eat something sweet before going for the ‘Eid Prayer’.

9.     To reach the Eid ground as early as possible.

10.  To walk to the Eid ground by one way and return by the other however, there is no harm if one rides back home.

11.  To pronounce the following Takbir on the way in a low voice:

“Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest"

“There is no god but Allah”

“and Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest”

“and all praise is for Allah”.

Muslims fasting during the month of Ramazan observe the sanctity of the sacred month by obeying the shariah instructions in this regard, yet wittingly or unwittingly if they do commit mistakes and errors. Sadaqah Fitr (Eid Charity) has been enjoined upon to inclucate the habit of expending one's wealth willingly in the cause of Allah and to atone for the small errors to make the fast as perfect as possible and so acceptable to Allah. Besides this, the great wisdom and benefit of enjoining Eid Charity on the well to do persons is to help and enable the poor and needy individuals of society also to obtain for themselves the basic necessities of life a little more easily and join others in the celebration of Eid and the great congregational service held on this occasion.

Sadaqah:

The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) enjoined Sadaqah Fitr so that those fasting are purified of their errors and the poor and needy ones are enabled to arrange for their basic necessities of food and clothing. Therefore, the Sadaqah of the person who gives it away before the Eid Prayer will be accepted by Allah as real charity but the Sadaqah of the one who delays and pays it afterwards will be treated as ordinary charity.

Eid day is the day of rejoicing, and the power and strength of Islam is manifested by the great numbers and congregations of the Muslims; the Sadaqah of fitr not only promotes that cause but also helps to perfect the fast.

No Nafl Salaat should be performed in the Eid Gaah before or after Eid Salaat. It is undesirable to perform the Eid Salaat in any other place besides the Eid Gaah without any valid excuse. It is vitally important to listen to both the Khutbahs after the Eid Salaat. If for some reason the Khutbah is not audible, it is still necessary to remain seated till the Khutbah terminates. it was not the practice of Holy Prophet (ﷺ) to shake hands after Eid Salaat. lt is sinful not to listen to the Khutbah.

Method of performing Eid Salaat are as follows: -

1. Make the intention: “l am performing two Rakaat Eid Salaat which is Waajib with six extra Takbirs which are also waajib”.

2. After the takbir Ula (1st Takbir) fold the hands and ‘recite the. sanaa.

3. Then lift the hands thrice. while saying Allah-o-Akbar. After the first two times leave the arms loose and after the third fold them.

4. Now, Surah Fateha and a surah will be recited by the lmaam and the Rakaat will be completed like in any other Salaat.

5. The second Rakaat will be performed similarly except that before going into Ruku, and hands will be lifted thrice (whilst saying Allah-0-Akbar) and each time they will be left loose on the sides.

6. With the 4th Takbir, the ruku should be made.

7. The remainder of the Salaat should be completed like in any other Saiaat.

8. Dua should be made after the Salaat instead of after the Khutbah. Eid cards with Qur’anic verses on them is not permissible in the light of the Shariah of Islam. The custom of Eid cards involves an act of sacrilege against the Noble Qur'an. It is not permissible to adopt the religious customs of unbelievers. Our Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever imitates a nation becomes one of them.” Printing of the verse of Qur'an on these cards is abominable as it is Tauheenul Qur‘an or Disgracing and Defiling the Qur’an.

Traditionally, both Eid ul‘-Fitr and Eid ul-Azha are occasions for exchanging visits with relatives and friends throughout the entire period of observance of each festival. Gifts (usually of money or new clothes) are given to children, who delight in wearing their beautified new things for the occasion, and special sweets or other foods are served to guests. Throughout the Muslim world, the atmosphere during the days of the Eids is distinctly special combining social with spiritual aspects in a way which brings joy and pleasure to people of all ages and walks of life.