Eid ul Fitr
01/10/08 07:04 Filed in: Events
Eid ul Fitr
Eid ul Fitr signifies the end of the month of Ramadhan. We say farewell to the blessed month, it's beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of seeking nearness to Ar-Rahmaan, and an opportunity to recharge our spiritual batteries.
It is a unique festival. It has no connection with
any historical event nor is it related to the changes
of seasons or cycles of agriculture. Its significance
is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims
thank God for having given them the will, the
strength and the endurance to observe fast and obey
His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan.
Why celebrate Eid ul Fitr?
Is Eid a sign of happiness that Ramadhan has finished? Quite the opposite! It is a celebration of thanks to Allah for giving us the chance and the strength to carry out His commands in the blessed month.
Allah says in Sura al-Baqarah, ayat 185: 'You shall complete the number (of days) and you may glorify God for His guiding you, and that you may be thankful.'
Imam Ali (as) says: 'Eid is for him whose fasts have been accepted by Allah, and whose worship has been appreciated by Allah. Everyday in which you do not disobey Allah is a day of Eid.'
The Holy Prophet (SAW) celebrated Eid and encouraged all Muslims to do so. He told Muslims to wear good clothes, put on perfume, and go to the mosque to recite the Eid prayer. They also said to exchange Eid greetings, visit each other, and generally pass the day joyfully. We should remember the poor by taking out fitrah before Eid, and visiting them and sending them gifts if we can.
The day of Eid is meant for remembering Allah. The Holy Prophet (SAW) says: 'Give beauty to your Eid by doing takbir'. It is said that the Prophet (SAW) himself used to come out of his home on the day of Eid, reciitng the takbir and glorifying Allah in a loud voice.
For who is to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr?
Is it the day of rejoicing for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume? Unfortunately, many Muslims abstain from sins during the month of Ramadhan, but come Eid, they go back to what they were before! Cassettes of prayers, which were in their cars during the holy month, are thrown back into their cases and replaced with those, which are unlawful, by Shari'ah. The forbidden places from which they had abstained for month long, are infact the same places they go to celebrate Eid.
Just as, when a person goes to a college, or a university and at the completion of his course, he receives his award marking his achievement, we must understand that, the holy month of Ramadhan is a spiritual university where we are being trained to achieve Taqwa i.e. piety. The day of Eid al-Fitr is when Allah (SWT) is awarding us for our achievements.
What to do on this Day?
In the previous nights of Mahe Ramadhan, we prayed, offered charity and attended lectures. What will happen now? Have we fulfilled the requirements of Taqwa and graduated from this school with the diploma of the God Fearing?
The night of Eid ul fitr is a majestic night. Eid must not just mark the 'end' of Ramadhan. Rather, it should be a new beginning, where we emulate our character and Islamic values, which we have focused upon for the past 30 days. We are like a child out of the womb, pure and innocent. Eid is the day of victory as we have succeeded in subduing our desires and purified ourselves. Let's not wash away our good deeds and revert to our merry old ways. Let the masjid still overflow with worshippers; let the Quran be the most essential part of our lives instead of letting it gather dust on our shelves. Our condition should be better than before Ramadhan.
Eid is not just a ritual that provides us with an excuse to enjoy ourselves. It represents important values and participating in them, we seek to please the Almighty and attain nearness to Him. In view of the great significance attached to this day of Eid, numerous traditions consisting of prayers and worship of God on this day, have been quoted from the Holy Prophet.
Taking a solemn bath (Ghusl) on the night preceding Eid is highly recommended (Sunnat). This is a night of great sanctity and profound virtues, and should be preferably spent in worship and prayed to God.
It is quoted from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) that 'one who offers six Rakat prayers on this night reciting in each Rakat Sura 'Al-Hamd' once and Sura 'Qul Huwallah' five times God will pardon his sins'.
The idea of Eid in Islam is not confined only to celebration extravagance, luxurious feasts, friendly handshakes and embraces. The Muslims should rather devote this day to the worship of God and should beseech Him to approve their virtuous deeds and forgive their sins. This is because the doors of God's pardon are kept open this day and His Blessings are bountiful.
Excerpt from AIM
Why celebrate Eid ul Fitr?
Is Eid a sign of happiness that Ramadhan has finished? Quite the opposite! It is a celebration of thanks to Allah for giving us the chance and the strength to carry out His commands in the blessed month.
Allah says in Sura al-Baqarah, ayat 185: 'You shall complete the number (of days) and you may glorify God for His guiding you, and that you may be thankful.'
Imam Ali (as) says: 'Eid is for him whose fasts have been accepted by Allah, and whose worship has been appreciated by Allah. Everyday in which you do not disobey Allah is a day of Eid.'
The Holy Prophet (SAW) celebrated Eid and encouraged all Muslims to do so. He told Muslims to wear good clothes, put on perfume, and go to the mosque to recite the Eid prayer. They also said to exchange Eid greetings, visit each other, and generally pass the day joyfully. We should remember the poor by taking out fitrah before Eid, and visiting them and sending them gifts if we can.
The day of Eid is meant for remembering Allah. The Holy Prophet (SAW) says: 'Give beauty to your Eid by doing takbir'. It is said that the Prophet (SAW) himself used to come out of his home on the day of Eid, reciitng the takbir and glorifying Allah in a loud voice.
For who is to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr?
Is it the day of rejoicing for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume? Unfortunately, many Muslims abstain from sins during the month of Ramadhan, but come Eid, they go back to what they were before! Cassettes of prayers, which were in their cars during the holy month, are thrown back into their cases and replaced with those, which are unlawful, by Shari'ah. The forbidden places from which they had abstained for month long, are infact the same places they go to celebrate Eid.
Just as, when a person goes to a college, or a university and at the completion of his course, he receives his award marking his achievement, we must understand that, the holy month of Ramadhan is a spiritual university where we are being trained to achieve Taqwa i.e. piety. The day of Eid al-Fitr is when Allah (SWT) is awarding us for our achievements.
What to do on this Day?
In the previous nights of Mahe Ramadhan, we prayed, offered charity and attended lectures. What will happen now? Have we fulfilled the requirements of Taqwa and graduated from this school with the diploma of the God Fearing?
The night of Eid ul fitr is a majestic night. Eid must not just mark the 'end' of Ramadhan. Rather, it should be a new beginning, where we emulate our character and Islamic values, which we have focused upon for the past 30 days. We are like a child out of the womb, pure and innocent. Eid is the day of victory as we have succeeded in subduing our desires and purified ourselves. Let's not wash away our good deeds and revert to our merry old ways. Let the masjid still overflow with worshippers; let the Quran be the most essential part of our lives instead of letting it gather dust on our shelves. Our condition should be better than before Ramadhan.
Eid is not just a ritual that provides us with an excuse to enjoy ourselves. It represents important values and participating in them, we seek to please the Almighty and attain nearness to Him. In view of the great significance attached to this day of Eid, numerous traditions consisting of prayers and worship of God on this day, have been quoted from the Holy Prophet.
Taking a solemn bath (Ghusl) on the night preceding Eid is highly recommended (Sunnat). This is a night of great sanctity and profound virtues, and should be preferably spent in worship and prayed to God.
It is quoted from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) that 'one who offers six Rakat prayers on this night reciting in each Rakat Sura 'Al-Hamd' once and Sura 'Qul Huwallah' five times God will pardon his sins'.
The idea of Eid in Islam is not confined only to celebration extravagance, luxurious feasts, friendly handshakes and embraces. The Muslims should rather devote this day to the worship of God and should beseech Him to approve their virtuous deeds and forgive their sins. This is because the doors of God's pardon are kept open this day and His Blessings are bountiful.
Excerpt from AIM