Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: ??? ????? 'Idu l-Fi?r?), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fi?r means "break-fasting"; and so the holiday symbolizes the celebration of break-fasting after completing the fasting of the entire month of Ramadan (calendar month). The first day of Eid, therfore, is the first day of the month Shawwal that comes after Ramadan.
History of Eid-ul-Fitr
According to the Islamic tradition, it was in the year 610 A.D. that Prophet Muhammad, while meditating in Mount Hira one night during the month of Ramadan, had a vision of the angel Jibril (also known as Gabriel) appearing before him telling his name to Muhammad and declaring to the latter that he was the messenger of God. Jibril said to him : "Iqraa" (meaning "read" or "recite").
To this Muhammad replied that he could not read.
Jibril embraced Muhammad and after releasing him repeated: "Iqraa."
"I cannot read." Muhammad answered again.
Jibril hugged Muhammad for a third time and asked him to recite what he said. He told him:
"Recite in the name of your Lord Who creates.
Creates man from a clot.
Recite: And your Lord is the Most Bountiful
Who teaches by the pen,
He teaches man what he does not know."
Though the angel informed him that he was the messenger of Allah and was going to be a prophet for his people, Muhammad was greatly disturbed at his meeting with Jibril. It is believed that he at first considered the angel as an evil spirit. It was his wife Khadijah who allayed his fears reminding him of his good conduct until then and that it was impossible for him to be visited by a demon. Even her much learned old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal convinced him that he was indeed a messenger of God and the angel who visited Muhammad was the one who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.
Muhammad was of forty years of age at this time.
In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who taught him the holy knowledge in verses. This sacred knowledge consists of the code of conduct that Allah wants his people to maintain on earth. It is inscribed in verses which are compiled in the holy Qur'an, the most sacred book in Islam.
It is said that the sacred knowledge was revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. As a mark of respect to Allah and to show gratitude to him for the true knowledge that he gifted to his sons and daughters, the prophet asked his followers (and therefore the followers of Islam) to pass the month of Ramadan in fasting, prayers and other austerities and end the month-long non-indulgence with festive celebrations. This is how Eid-Ul-Fitr was born. This three-day long celebration ends the ninth month and begins the tenth month of Shawwal with absolute happiness and contentment for the ability to sacrifice for Allah. The aim of this festival is to promote peace, strengthen the feeling of brotherhood and bring oneself back to the normal course of life after a month-long period of self-denial and religious devotion.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of thanksgiving and jubilation as it signifies the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadan.
This festival marks the completion of an act of duty and devotion. It teaches us the lesson that real happiness arises from performing one's duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective.
Fasting is one of the most significant pillars of Islam. The practice of fasting sublimates the inner self of man and inculcates discernment of the pangs and hardships which the poor and needy face. This feeling is awakened in all those, whether rich or poor, young or old, who observe fasting. It is the loftiest achievement of moral exercises which is celebrated with the greatest zest and verve on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
All kinds of spiritual adorations during the sacred month of Ramadan are in celebration of the revelation of the last and perfect message of Allah to humanity, for the limitless and vast favour on mankind in the shape of the Glorious Qur'an and its implication in the dedication and devotion in the month of Ramadan to which the Divine Book had led. Says the Qur'an: Allah has revealed to you the Book and Wisdom and taught you what you did not know before. Allah's goodness to you has been great indeed." (4:113)
There are multiple results of fasting (Siyam) in the shape of vigorous duties, moral and spiritual self-discipline and austerity. This reward equips man to swim in the roughest seas of life. It is in this concept that the Qur'an has clearly expressed the act of fasting as a blessing and not a calamity. Allah desires your well being, not your discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole of the month so that you may magnify Him for giving you His guidance, and that you may give thanks.
It is with this spirit of thanksgiving that Eid-ul-Fitr is observed all over the world by Muslim Ummah by offering prayers to Allah, and rejoicing and festivity on the accomplishment of an act of dedication and submission to the Almighty. The Muslim Ummah meditates and pays obeisance to their Lord in congregation, displaying the real spirit of brotherhood, equality and fraternity through the prayers and through the zest of meeting and embracing the Muslim brothers.
Eid-ul-Fitr is also a festival that fosters brotherhood and interactions, as people visit each other on the days of festivity. Friends, relatives and loved ones are greeted and offered sweets. Gifts are given to children, mostly in the form of money. Sisters and daughters also receive gifts on this occasion. Some Muslims also pay a visit to the graveyard, a custom which is known as ziyarat-al-qubur, to pay homage to the departed souls. Some scholars also believe that the month-long fasting is undertaken to acknowledge the superiority of the spiritual realm over the physical realm. Nevertheless, the spirit of conviviality surrounds the celebrations of Eid ul Fitr throughout the Islamic world.
Eid Mubarak to all of you on IF and all the Muslims around the world.
May Allah bless all with happiness, joy, success, laughter and peace in this Eid, and for many more to come.
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