Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr pr commonly known as Eid is an important Islamic festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the World. Eid is derived from the Arabic word 'oud' or 'the return' to signify, well, the return of the festival each year. Eid ul Fitr festival denotes the end of 'Ramadan', the month of fasting and beginning of the new month namely 'Shawwal' which is the tenth month of the Hijra calendar. It is considered to be a month of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
During the festival, Muslims exchange gifts, greeting their neighbours as a mark of solidarity and brotherhood. Eid devotees break their fast of Ramzan with special prayer and merriment. People wear new clothes, visit the Eidgah to offer prayers where they call to their minds the teachings of Islam that promote peace and spirituality and to bow and pray to the almighty to bestow his divine blessings to humanity that will help men and women to be part of a healthy society. And on this special day several delicious foods and delicacies are prepared and are distributed to neighbours and friends.
The festival of Eid is devoted to the spirit of love, sharing, peace and brotherhood among one and all. In order to understand the significance of Eid for the Muslim people we need to first learn about the significance of Ramzan that is followed prior to Eid. Ramz' means to burn, and fasting is considered to burn down ones sins.
Fasting or Roza begins at sunrise and lasts until sunset. In between no food or water is taken by the people. Pregnant women, the handicapped and the ailing, people on a long journey, and ladies in confinement are exempted from Roza, but they must resume fasting on recovery. The principle behind it being to understand what the poor go through and also to pledge to live a more meaningful and life of significance. According to the words of Prophet Mohammed – "if a person observing fast does not shun untruth, his having given up eating and drinking is of little value. Such a person starves for nothing. and those who rise in the midnight to recite prayers but do not give up untruth and evil deeds, lose their sleep for nothing".
Once they finish praying, Muslims go visit family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to wish them on the special occasion. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.
With discipline adhered to rigorously during the time of Ramzan, a believer becomes one with religion and feels a genuine need to do good and lead a more refined and introspective life. People donating money and material goods away through charity is another Islamic custom that every conscientious Muslim practices. In fact Zakat, or charity is one of the five main tenets of Islam.