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Eid-ul-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking The celebration at the end of Ramadan is called 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a joyous occasion, similar to Christmas in its celebration but with strong religious significance. The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning, and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of "'Eid mubarak," or "a blessed 'Eid" are exchanged. In some places, children are given gifts or money by their parents and relatives. The celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr lasts three days, although the main festivities occur on the first day. In Fort Collins, Muslims gather in a community center for prayer and a community breakfast. Students and workers of all ages take time off from school and work whenever possible. Muslims in the United States are trying to gain recognition of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, one of their two main festivals, as an official holiday. Eid-Ul-Fitr is the holiday that follows the blessed month of Ramadan and falls on the 1st day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Hijra calendar. As with all months in the Hijra calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates both a joyous holiday and some sadness due to the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. Fasting is forbidden on this day, as it marks the end of the month long fast of Ramadan. One is encouraged to rise early and partake of some dates or a light, sweet snack. One should bathe, as always, but with the remembrance that this is a special day. Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes, new if possible. There is a special Eid prayer that is performed in congregation. The prayer consists of two rak'at, followed by a khutba, or sermon. The prayer is not obligatory, but Muslims are encouraged to take time off and attend the prayer. This gives an opportunity to join with other Muslims in the celebration. Prior to the start of the prayer, the congregation recites the following glorification: ALLAHU AKBARULLAHU AKBARULLAHU AKBAR, LA ILLAHA ILLA ALLAH, ALLAHU AKBARULLAHU AKBAR, WA LILLAH HILHAMD. This means ALLAH (GOD) is Greatest, ALLAH is Greatest, ALLAH is Greatest, there is no GOD but ALLAH, ALLAH is Greatest, ALLAH is Greatest, and to HIM goes all gratitude and thanks. One is encouraged to begin reciting this after Fajr prayer and until the start of the Eid prayer. Prior to the start of the prayer, every Muslim must pay Zakatul Fitr, an alms for the month of Ramadan. This is different from the normal zakat, which is given to purify one's wealth. This zakat is normally given to local Muslim needy prior to the start of the Eid prayer. It can be given anytime during the month of Ramadan and is often given early, so the recipient can utilize it for Eid purchases. Prophet Muhammad (salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, i.e., may the peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) used to pray outdoors in a different location than where he prayed his daily prayers. Consequently it is preferred to pray outdoors, if possible. (The weather in the Arabian peninsula was moderate enough to permit this. In other climates, this may not be possible, particularly during certain times of the year.) Children are normally given gifts. Also, women
(particularly mothers, wives, sisters and daughters)
EID UL FITR The tenth month of the Islamic calender is Shawwal. In respect of the significance and importance of Eid ul Fitr the following sayings should be remembered. Hazrat Abu Hurraira (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the messenger of Allah Ta’ala, Hazrat Mohummed (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "when the eve of Eid ul Fitr comes, all the angels rejoice. Allah Almighty says: "Oh My Angels! What is the reward of those labourers who have completed their task?" The angels reply that they should be fully rewarded. Allah Almighty then says: "Be witness, I have forgiven them all." Hazrat Abu Amamah (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "Anyone who keeps alive the two nights of Eid (i.e- the eve of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adhu) by remaining awake in the worship of Allah, his heart will not die on that day when every heart will be dead." Hazrat Muaz ibn Jabal (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the Prophet of Allah Ta’ala (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, 10th nights of Zil-Hajj, the eve of Eid ul Fitr and the 15th night of Sha’baan) in the worship of Allah, by reciting the Quran, engaging in Zikr, rendering na’at Shareef and Darood-O-Salam, they have made Paradise obligatory for themselves. The Salat (Namaz) to be offered on the eve of Eid ul Fitr are as follows: It has been said that four raka’at Nafl prayer should be offerd at home. In each raka’at after surah Fateha, you should recite surah Ikhlas 21 times. The person who offers this salat will have all 8 doors of Heaven opened to him, and all seven doors of Hell shut. He will have his place reserved in Paradise before his death. In another saying, it is the one who offers 4 raka’ats and in each raka’at after surah Fateha, he recites surah Ikhlas, surah Falaq and surah An-Nas, three times. Then read kalimah Tamjeed 70 times, and sincerely repent for your sins. Allah Almighty through the blessings of this namaz will forgive your sins and accept your repentance. The first day of Shawwal is Eid ul Fitr. It is a day to seek forgiveness for one’s sins. Fasting on this day is forbidden. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) would always eat something sweet before proceeding on the Eid Ghah for Eid salat (Namaz). The following are some of the things a person is recommended to do on Eid day. 1. Take a hair cut (men only!).
THE SIX FASTS OF SHAWWAL Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "The one who observes the fasts of Ramadan followed by six voluntary fasts of Shawwal, will be regarded as though he had fasted perpetually. Hazrat Jabir Ibn Abullah (Radi Allahu Anh) reports that the messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "He who obsreves six fasts after Eid ul Fitr, it will be as though he had fasted the whole year,- ie One who brings a pious deed will be rewarded ten.’ The fasts of Ramadan are equal to 10 months, the six fasts of Shawwal will be equal to 2 months, giving a total of 12 months or one year. Sadqa tul Fitr Wajib to every muslim on whom Zakat is Fard on behalf of himself and for all members of his family including minor children. The amount of Sadqat ul Fitr should be inquired from the local Mosque. The Eid salat consists of two Rakats. The salat should be performed with Jama’at with an additional 6 Takbirs. When one begins salat you should make niyat (intention) like any other salat but say this in addition that Eid salat with six additional Takbirs and there is no need to say time of salat. After Subhanakallah do three Takbirs. The Imam will say Allahu Akhbar and will raise his hands to his ears, you also raise your hands to your ears. Hree times and then finish first Rakat like normal salat. In second Rakat do second Rakat as you do any other Rakats and before going to Raku the Imam will say three Takbirs, he and raise your hands to the ears three times and then finish salat as any other salat. After salam Imam will give the Khutba just like Friday. Listening to Eid Khutba is Wajib. After Khutba do dua. When you go to Eid salat, you take one road and when you come back take a different road. It is Sunnat of our beloved Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and if it is possible to go in the mosque by foot. You ought to say this Takhbir while going and comming back from Eid salat: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illahu Wallahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd." In this month many anniversaries and celebrations
take place. The first of this month is thanksgiving day for all Muslims.
This is called Eid ul Fitr. And on first day great Wali Hazrat Ibrahim
Adum passed away and his Urs takes place by his devotees. The freat muslim
Sultan Hazrat Mahmud Ghaznvi, who conqured India, passed away on the 3rd
and Hazrat Kazam Ali Khan, grandfather of Imam Ahmed Raza Barelvi passed
away on the 4th of this month. Hazrat Khawaja Usman Harooni passed awy
on the 6th and Shaykh Abdul Aziz Muhiddith Dehlvi passed away on 12th of
this month. Hazrat Abdul Aziz bin Hazrat Gaus Al-Azam Abdul Qadir on the
25th, Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the 28th Hazrat Shaykh Sa’idi Shirazi on
the 3rd Hazrat Yahya Munri passed away on the 5th of this month (Radi Allahu
Ta’ala Anhum Ajmaeen). These special days are celebrated by all Muslims
throughout the world. May Allah Ta’ala bless us all because of His beloved
Awliya. Amen!
Eid ul-Fitr
It's exciting to have Eid right around the corner masha'Allah. I remember as kid I used to love Eid. I didn't know too much about the islamic side of it then, but I just knew it was a time of celebration. It was a time we would wear nice clothes and go to the mosque to pray. We would also go to visit family and friends. Everyone else had Christmas or Hannukah, but I had my Eids so when it came around to those days I wanted to enjoy them. Now, Alhamdulilah I have grown to learn that Eid is so much more than what I knew as a kid. It is not just about feasting after a month of fasting, but it is a time to remember Allah's blessings. It is a time to make much takbeer. All Muslims (men, women, children, everyone) unite in the eid prayer. On the way travelling to the prayer and up until the Imam starts the prayer, people make takbeer. In the prayer itself, there are more takbeers (saying Allahu Akbar) than the usual number for our regular prayers. Some of the chapters recited for this prayer are al-Ala (Surah 87) and al-Ghaashiyah (Surah 88). If you don't know them already, make sure you read them before you go. It really hits the heart. This is a time when we glorify Allah and remember His greatness. We are grateful to Him as He has guided us and He provides for us. Alhamdulilah. To spend our Eid in the best and most fruitful way, we should endeavor to follow the sunnah of Eid. 1) Make sure to get the Zakat ul-Fitr paid before the prayer! 2) It is Sunnah to dress in the best clothes we have on Eid. It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar used to do that along with other Companions of the Prophet (S). [Fath al-Baaree] 3) It is a must (Waajib-obligatory) to pray Eid al-Fitr Prayer. The Prophet (S) and his Companions never ceased doing it, and they even gathered the people for it including women who were having their menses, children and the elderly. [Bukhaaree and Muslim] (NOTE:WOMEN MUST ATTEND THE EID PRAYER. [Narrated Aiyub: Hafsa bint Sirin said, "On Eid we used to forbid
our girls to go out for Eid prayer. A lady came and stayed at the palace
of Bani Khalaf and I went to her. She said, 'The husband of my sister took
part in twelve holy battles along with the Prophet and my sister was with
her husband in six of them. My sister said that they used to nurse the
sick and treat the wounded. Once she asked, 'O Allah's Apostle! If a woman
has no veil, is there any harm if she does not come out (on Eid day)?'
The Prophet said, Her companion should let her share her veil with her,
and the women should participate in the good deeds and in the religious
gatherings of the believers.' " Hafsa added, "When Um-'Atiya came, I went
to her and asked her, 'Did you hear anything about so-and-so?' Um-'Atiya
said, 'Yes, let my father be sacrificed for the Prophet (S). (And whenever
she mentioned the name of the Prophet she always used to say, 'Let my father
be' sacrificed for him). He said, 'Virgin mature girls staying often screened
(or said, 'Mature girls and virgins staying often screened--Aiyub is not
sure as which was right) and menstruating women should come out (on the
Eid day). But the menstruating women should keep away from the Musalla.
And all the women should participate in the good deeds and in the religious
gatherings of the believers'." Hafsa said, "On that I said to Um-'Atiya,
'Also
4) It is Sunnah to eat dates before we leave for Eid prayer to show that we are not fasting. " The Prophet used not to leave for Eid Prayer (except) after eating some dates." [Bukhaaree and Ahmad] 5) It is Sunnah to say Takbeer loudly when leaving our homes to go to Eid Prayer . The Prophet (S) used to say this until he finished the Prayer. [Silsilat Al-ahadeeth As-Sunnah] 6) There is no Hadeeth related to Rasoolullaah (S) as to what should be said when reciting Takbeer on the way to Prayer, but Ibn Mas'ood used to say the following: Allaahu Akbar (Twice) Allaah is great Laa illaha illallaaha There is none worthy of worship except Allaah Allaahu Akbar (Twice) Allaah is great Wa Lillaahil Hamd And to Him belongs all Praise [Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah] 7) The Sunnah for Eid Prayers is to pray in the Musallah (that is in an uncovered place) and not in the Masjid. The Prophet (S) never prayed Eed Prayer in the Masjid. Aboo Sa'eed (R) reported: " The Prophet (S) used to go on the day of 'Eid -al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adhaa to the Musallah, and the first thing he did was to pray." [Bukhaaree and Muslim] 8) Neither Adhaan nor Iqaamah are pronounced for Eid Prayer. [Muslim] 9) Ibn Abbaas reported: "The Prophet (S) prayed two Raka'ahs for the Eid prayer and did not pray before it or after it." [Bukhaaree] (i.e. he did not pray sunnah prayers before or after it) 10) Jabir (R) reported: "The Prophet (S) used to
come back from 'Eid-al-Fitr on a path other than the one used in going
to it." [Bukhaaree]
'Eid ul Fitr
Muslims celebrate 'Eid ul Fitr on the first day of Shawwal -- the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, following the month of Ramadhan (in which the revelation started and ended 20+ years later, and which is also the month of fasting). Following a Lunar calendar, Muslims mark the beginning of the month with the sighting of the new crescent. 'Eid, which means “festivity” in Arabic, is celebrated after the sighting of the new crescent on the previous evening. Eid ul-Fitr is the first of two celebrations in Islam. The second celebration is called Eid ul-Adha and falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijj, which is the 12th month and occurs during the Hajj. The air of festivity and celebration can be felt on the eve before Éid when frenzied shopping and Éid preparations are at its height. Since Éid is celebrated with gift-giving, the highly decorated shops and markets are open till late at night for last minute shoppers. On the eve before Éid, women and children get together to decorate their hands with henna, (in the south Asian subcontinent this evening is also known as 'chand raat'.. chand means moon and raat means night.. the evening when Eid is confirmed for the following day, with the sighting of the crescent moon indicating the start of festivities). Staying up late preparing food for the next day, the whole house is a hub of activity and excitement. The crazy excitement of the sighting of the crescent is worth experiencing... especially for children. As their excitement builds and rumors start of the sighting in some remote locale, as yet officially unconfirmed, their eyes shine with joy as they anticipate Eid and the typical preparations preceding Eid. Climbing on rooftops to get a glimpse of the crescent. The greatest rumor was that the Air Force had dispatched airplanes to sight the moon, awesome! They think of what they will wear, what gifts they will get and how they will spend their gift money to buy toys. Pretty exciting! And sometimes the disappointment when it is not confirmed, another fast, another day, and the next evening they are just as excited. Children fast for the first time usually at age 7yrs, building up to the whole month by age 12 or 14 years. Younger kids insist on fasting as they get excited by all the attention they see their older siblings getting. The young ones are allowed to keep 'chiri roza' (as it is known in Pakistan... chiri = bird, roza = fast)... fasting like birds they can peck all day long, which means that they can fast from sehr to breakfast, breakfast to lunch, and then from lunch to iftâr... little mini fasts to make them feel included and participate in the spirit of Ramadhan. For the children who kept their first fast, their Eid is special. Eid now has a unique significance for them. Now they KNOW Eid! They experience Eid like never before. Their innocent faces smiling and their eyes shining with pride and joy at their accomplishment. They are rewarded by family and friends with gifts, extra attention and compliments for their achievement. More exciting than a birthday could ever be... this is their hard earned day of glory. The 'Eid prayer is important for Muslims as it has the merits of the daily prayers and the weekly gathering (Jumu'ah). On the day of Eid, fasting is forbidden since this day marks the end of the month-long fast. Eid is a family and social event, after the Eid prayers people visit each other, exchange gifts, spend time socializing with extended family and community, visiting the sick and offering prayers for the deceased. For those who have fasted during the month of Ramadhan, there is a sense of triumph and accomplishment. Ya Qâbid (The Restrictor) Ya Bâsit (The Expander) The month of restraint and spiritual growth followed by this day of extravagance, festivities and celebrations. Internal reverie followed by external spread. Revived and rejuvenated by the intimacy of Ramadhan fasters celebrate the blessings with others. The macrocosm of life manifested in the microcosm of a month.. self-discipline and commitment to Allâh is rewarded... as it will be in the Hereafter. Focus redirected. Ups and downs, highs and lows... and with every hardship follows ease! For those who were in Íetikaf (retreat in the last 10 days of Ramadhan), like a child out of the womb, new and innocent... facing the noisy world, feeling disoriented and disconnected... the safety and protection of the womb withdrawn... the umbilical cord severed... the intense desire to retreat into that safe haven of peace and love. It takes some time to adjust to the world again. Back to Women With Attitudes Ramadan Page
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