Eid Al Fitr, more commonly known as Ramzan Eid, is one of the important religious festivals in the religion of Islam. It is marked by Muslims all over the world at the end of the holy month of Ramzan or fasting, where Muslims are allowed to fast from dawn to sunset. According to Islamic belief, Muslims are commanded by Allah, as mentioned in the holy scripture of Quran, and hence He tells them to fast until the last day of Ramzan and pay the Zakat and Fitra before offering Eid prayers.
According to History and Islamic scriptures, when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Mecca to Madina, more commonly knows as Hijr, He saw people celebrating on two days to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. Astonished by the tradition, He asked them about these days in detail. He came to know that these two days were the occasions of fun and recreation. Prophet Muhammad remarked that Almighty has already made two days for festivity which are better than these two days and they are, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha or Bakr Eid.
This festival occurs at the end of the holy month of Ramzan and mark the start of the moth of Shawwal. For Muslims, both these festivals, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are the occasions where they can show their gratitude to Allah and remembering him through prayers and through giving alms to the poor.
Two major sects in Islam that is Sunni and Shia, both pray for Eid differently and according to the traditions of their own cult and by offering Namaz with saying Alahu Akbar translated as “God is great”. In common, Muslims offer their prayers on this day by getting up early in the morning and offering Salatul Fajr or the pre-sunrise prayer. They clean themselves up as commanded by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and wear new clothes and apply perfume. Usually people greet each other on this day by saying “Eid Mubarak”. The prayer is performed in congregation and Muslims ask for Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living beings across the globe.
Unlike the whole month of Ramzan, Muslims are prohibited to fast on Eid. It is a custom to eat small sweet breakfast at the morning before offering Eid prayers and to make charity also. Muslims do charity on this occasion to offer their love towards Allah and the needy people.
The festival of Eid is celebrated worldwide according to the traditions of various countries. Ramzan Eid is more popular for its various types of delicious dishes and food products. The festival is also called as Ramzan feast and numerous tasty dishes are made on this day to celebrate the festival with family and friends. Small gifts or Eidi are also given to children or the immediate relatives.
It is a festival of happiness and it connects people without their sects and faith as many people of other religions also celebrates the festival along with their Muslim friends. However, few unfortunate incidents happen on the background of this day by the religious bigots who always want to make tensions in the society. It is necessary to fight against them and live peacefully so that everybody can live in happiness.
Eid Mubarak.
By Prajakt K.
