|
Eid ul Fitr - Festival of the breaking of the fast:
Time to reconcile
by Husna Inayathullah
Eid Mubarak!
 Eid ul Fitr is an important religious festival celebrated by Muslims
world over. It marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of
fasting. Eid ul Fitr celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of
dawn to dusk fasting during the month of Ramadan. The festival begins on
the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date of commencement of any
lunar Hijri month varies, based on the observation of the new moon by
local religious authorities. Therefore, the exact day of celebration
varies according to the locality, while generally, most countries
celebrate Eid on the same day as Saudi Arabia. Muslims in Sri Lanka will
celebrate Eid ul Fitr in the first week of July. Many Muslims these days
visit the shopping malls with their families and children for Eid
shopping to buy clothes and other accessories.
Muslims start the end of Ramadan celebrations with the special
congregational prayers known as Salathul-Eid. It consists of two Rakats
(units) and is generally offered in an open space or in large halls in
mosques. Every year it is a beautiful sight to see Muslims praying
together shoulder to shoulder at Galle Face Green, in Colombo. According
to Islamic teachings, Muslims believe they are commanded by Allah to
continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakath and
Fitra (Charity) before offering Eid prayers.
Thanksgiving
Eid ul Fitr is a day of joy and thanksgiving. On this day, Muslims
display their joy for the health, strength and opportunities of life,
which Allah has given them, to fulfil their obligations of fasting and
other good deeds during the month of Ramadan. It is also a day of
forgiveness and good feelings towards other fellow human beings. This
festival originated after the advent of Islam during the period of
Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic festivals were initiated in Madinah after
the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah according to
certain traditions.
 Some Islamic historical records mention that when the Prophet arrived
in Madinah, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they
used to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked
them about the nature of these festivities at which they replied that
these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet
remarked that the Almighty Allah has fixed two days of festivity instead
of these, for you which are better, and they are Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan
festival) and Eid ul Adha (Hajj festival).
Eid ul Fitr is celebrated for two or three days and the common
greetings during this festival is ‘Eid Mubarak’ or ‘Happy Eid.’ Muslims
are encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with
others or animosities that may have occurred during the year.
Traditions
Muslims wake up early in the morning before sunrise and offer
Salathul Fajr (Pre-sunrise prayer). According to the traditions, Muslims
take a shower before Eid prayers, put on new clothes and apply some
perfume. It is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid. It is customary to
have a sweet breakfast such as a date fruit before attending Eid
prayers. Both men and women go to the mosque at different times and
perform their prayers separately, in different halls. It is a ritual to
go for Eid prayers on foot. Soon after the Eid prayers, the Imam (The
one who conducts the prayers) gives a sermon on a topical subject. After
the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances or
hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centres or halls.
Eid gifts, known as Eidi (cash gifts), are given to children and the
close relatives.
Friendship
After Eid prayers people meet and greet each other with a traditional
hug of friendship. Before returning home, people give charity to the
needy and the poor, to further make it possible for everybody to enjoy
the day. At home, family members enjoy special Eid breakfast with
various types of sweets and desserts. For the first noon meal in a
month, the Muslims in Sri Lanka mostly have biryani, a mixed rice dish
with meats and vegetables and Watalappam, a coconut custard pudding with
eggs and jaggery. Young girls and children enjoy applying henna, a
temporary form of skin decoration on their hands and feet during Eid.
Fasting expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community.
It is a month where Muslims show their empathy for the poor, give
charity, worship, practise steadfastness and patience. The month of
Ramadan also teaches a Muslim to stay away from worldly desires and to
focus entirely on the Lord and thank Him for his blessings. It is a
rejuvenation of the religion and creates a stronger bond between the
Muslim and his Lord.
 |
