Eid, an occasion to pay gratitude to Allah

By Naalir Jamaldeen

The Muslims in Sri Lanka along with Muslims across the world are preparing to celebrate the Ramazan festival (Eid-ul-Fitr) most probably on Tuesday, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

This day is known as the day of charity because priority is given to charity on this day.

Islam bequeaths that the Ramazan festival must be celebrated in keeping with Islamic norms. Muslims must be happy on this day and nobody is expected to mourn on this blessed day. Fasting is prohibited on this day.

Allah has designated this day as a gift to Muslims for sacrificing eating and drinking, which are important for survival, throughout the month in the daytime in obedience to Allah’s command.

“Eid” is an occasion to pay gratitude to Allah by those who sacrificed the whole month, paying homage to Allah and fasting to get close to Him and receive acknowledgment.

An important segment part of Ramazan festival is offering gifts in the form of charity. Ramazan is the time for offering intense prayers to god. During this month, Muslims try to read the Quran, as much as possible. They may also visit the mosque to listen to the recitation of the Quran.

The last 10 days of Ramazan are special because during this time, Muslims indulge in intense prayer with the belief that they’ll get closer to god because of good deeds, sacrifices, and devotion.

Giving alms and charity on this day brings happiness to the poor, revives the spirit of co-operation and kindness among Muslims.

The Eid prayer is two rak’ahs and this is taken from the narration of Umar (rali). “The prayer of travelling is two rak’ahs, the prayer of ‘Adhaa is two rak’ats and the prayer of Fitr is two rak’ahs. They are complete, not shortened and this is taken from the word of the Prophet”.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation includes food, rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqahthul-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer.

Prophet Muhammed recited the takbeer until he reached the musallaa (praying place) and until he had performed the prayer and when he had performed the prayer he stopped saying the takbeer.

Takbeer is the most important recital connected with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. The manner of saying takbeer has been reported by some of the companions of the Prophet.

Ibn Masood said: “Allaahu-Akbar. Allaahu-Akbar. Laa ilaaha illallaahu. Wa-Allaahu-Akbar. Allaahu-Akbar. Wa-lillahil-Hamd.” (Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is none who has the right to be worshiped except Allah. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)

Ibn Abbaas said: “Allaahu-Akbar. Allaahu-Akbar. Allaahu-Akbar. Wa-lillaahil-Hamd. Allaahu-Akbar wa ajallu, Allaahu-Akbar ‘alaa maa hadaana.”

(Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praise. Allah is the Greatest and the Most Sublime. Allah is the Greatest to that which he has guided us to).

Naaf’i Abdullah bin ‘Umar used to bathe on the day of Fitr before setting out to the musallaa.

Imaam Sa’eed ibn-ul-Musayyib said, “The Sunnah acts of Eid-ul-Fitr are three: Walking to the musallaa, eating before proceeding to the musallaa and bathing.”

Imaam al-Muhallib said, “The wisdom behind eating before Eid prayer is so that no person with doubt in his mind thinks that the fasting remains until after the prayer. It is as if he [Prophet (Sal)] wanted to stop this from occurring”.

Ibn ‘Abbaas reported, “That the Prophet prayed two rak’ahs on the day of Fitr and he did not pray before or after.”

Wearing new clothes and applying perfume are certain preferred practices of Eid. It is the means of recognising the kindness of the Almighty.

Eid reflects happiness that is governed by Islamic rules and ethics. It enjoins dignified fun, polite and innocent games, caring smiles and rightful picnics.

Eid is a gathering of thousands of rich, poor, big, small, ruler and ruled. It is a day of rewards. Whoever fasted with faith and consciousness will be greatly rewarded. Whoever sinned while fasting or was careless with the commands of Allah or trespassed His boundaries, will regret it.

On the day of Eid there will be two groups of people returning from prayer. The group that has been rewarded-Allah will say to them: “Go, you have been forgiven. You pleased me and I have been pleased with you”.

The other group is that of the losers and the despondent. They will be returning with disappointment, loss, regret and denial. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz saw some people rushing away from Arafat on their horses and camels at sunset. He said to them, “The one who wins is not he who goes faster on his horse or camel; but the winner is he whose sins are forgiven. Muslims! Think about those with whom you prayed last Eid. They included your fathers, grandfathers, beloved ones and friends.

“Where are they? Where have they gone? Tomorrow you will receive the prize. Tomorrow, you will be given your full reward in a record of your deeds.”

Prophet Muhammad narrated the pride of fasting in this way, “I cannot find a better or greater masterpiece than to present to those who fast. These are the practical hadees that have been mentioned in connection with rewards and blessings of fasting. These are the hadees that lead to the doors of happiness and the paths of goodness in the world”.

Eid-ul-fitr is one of the religious festivals of the Islamic community that is widely celebrated all over the world. Although this festival includes fasting and sacrifice, yet the Muslims celebrate this occasion with a lot of joy and enthusiasm.

Ramazan is the ninth month of the Hijiri calendar and lasts around for 29 to 30 days, depending on the sightings of new moon. The biggest significance of this month lays in the fact that as per the Holy Quran, Prophet Muhammad received first verses of the holy text during Ramazan. Thus, this month is revelled as the most important month in the Islamic calendar.