EID UL FITR
Eid ul Fitr, known as ’عيد الفطر’ is Arabic and Asian countries, is a unique festival for all Muslims around the world. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al Fitr is Allah’s reward for believers who have fasted during the holy month of Ramadan. This is also believers thanking Allah for giving them the chance and the strength to carry out His commands during the blessed month of Ramadan. Traditionally, Eid al Fitr is celebrated for three days almost in all Muslim countries.
This is important because it marks the end of Ramadan, the month in which the Holy Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Throughout Ramadan, Muslims around the world undertake a fast between the hours of sunset and sunrise and spend a lot of time in self-reflection while studying the Qur’an and connecting with Allah (SWT) on a spiritual level. After a full month of sacrifice and dedication, Eid ul-Fitr is a time to come together with family and loved ones to enjoy everyday blessings.
Both Eid ul Fitr and Eid Al-Adha have great significance in Islam as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated that Anas bin Malik (R.A.), who said:
“Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’” (An-Nasai: 1556)
Remember one thing that Fasting on Eid days i-e Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are forbidden as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (R.A.) that Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“No fasting is permissible on the two days of Eid-ul-Fitr and EId-ul-Adha.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 1995)
CELEBRATING EID UL FITR
Eid-ul-Fitr festival is an important way to mark the end of Ramadan, however, before the festivities can begin, there are a number of important rituals that must first take place to give true thanks to Allah (SWT) for all he has done.
Since it is a religious festival, therefore, Muslims all over the world celebrate this event with much fervor and each country’s celebrations vary as there is an influence of their traditions. Muslims all over the world celebrate the festival of Eid al Fitr by starting the day with the Eid prayer. After offering prayer, Muslim greet each other with the customary Eid greetings by saying Eid Mubarak. Everyone gets new clothes made for the special occasion because every single person wants to look his/her best. The day is spent with friends and family as they get together indulging in eating and handing out gifts.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a period of happiness and enjoyment; and this is also evident from the following Hadith:
It was narrated by Aisha (R.A.) who reported that Prophet (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.) (On the day of Eid when Abu Bakr (R.A.) saw two girls were singing the stories about the Day of Buath in Madinah):
“….. O Abu Bakr! Every person has their Eid and this is our Eid.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 952)
In another narration, it is said that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.):
“Let them be O Abu Bakr, for this is the day of Eid.”
EID PRAYER
The scholars differed concerning the ruling on Eid prayers. However, all Muslim should attend prayers of both Eids as most scholars, on the basis of strong evidences, is of opinion that it is Wajib (obligation). One of the purposes behind Eid Prayer is to provide opportunities to a greater number of Muslims to attend larger congregations in an atmosphere of religious piety. Apart from prayer, the Eid sermon (after Eid Prayer) has also been made an integral part of this gathering and the prayer.
1. It is important and compulsive for a Muslim to pay ‘Zakat-ul-Fitr’ before offering of Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 1511)
2. The time for Eid Prayer begins from the time the sun is three meters above the horizon until the sun reaches its meridian. However, it is better to offer the prayer in the early hours after the sunrise. (Abu Dawud: 1135)
3. Eid Prayer is performed without any ‘Iqmah’ or ‘Athan’. [Sahih Muslim: 885 (b)]
4. Eid prayer consists of two Rak’at (Two Unit Prayer) during which Tabkeer (Allah-u-Akbar) is pronounced seven times. (Abu Dawud: 1149)
5. Rest of the Eid prayer is the same as other prayers offered daily.
6. After completing the prayer, it is Sunnah (some scholars say that it is Wajib) to listen to the Sermon (Khutbah) after Eid Prayer. So one should stay for Imam’s sermon to end after completing the Eid Prayer.
After listening to the sermon, Muslims congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’, ‘Happy Eid, and عيد مبارك etc. However, the most common Eid Greeting Muslims like to wish their friends and fellow Muslims is ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Sunnah of Eid Prayer
Make du’a on the night of Eid – The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘There are five nights on which du’a is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha)’. (As-Suyuti)
Make Ghusl before the Eid Salah – As Muslims, cleanliness is a fundamental part of our religion. Ibn ’Abbas narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) used to have a bath on the day of Fitr’. [Ibn Majah] We are encouraged to do the same and, in doing so, we make sure that gatherings and family festivities are an enjoyable affair.
Eating before prayer – For Eid ul-Fitr, it is Sunnah to eat some dates before the prayer so as not to extend the fast. Our Prophet (saw) did not set out on the day of Eid until he had eaten an odd number of dates, and we should follow his example.
Putting on Attar – Just as our Prophet Muhammad (saw) applied Attar (perfume) on Eid occasions, men are also encouraged to do the same, to create a pleasant aura in the masjid.
Takbeer – On the way to the masjid, Takbeer al-Eid should be recited softly. The Eid Takbeer is:
‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La Ilaaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd’
(Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most great, Allah is most great, and to Allaah be praise)
(Irwa Al Ghalil: 3 / 125)
Congratulating each other – On Eid day, we often congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’. However, a better way to greet each other is to take the example of the Sahabah (ra). It was narrated by Jubayr ibn Nufayr (ra), that the Sahabah (ra) used to greet each other on the day of Eid with: ‘Taqabbal Allaahu Minnaa Wa Minka’ ,which means ‘May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from us and from you’. (Fathul-Bari)
Routes to Eid Salah – As narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah, ‘On the Day of Eid, the Prophet (saw) used to return after offering the Eid prayer through a way different from that by which he went’. (Bukhari) The reasoning behind this is so that on The Day of Judgement the two paths will testify that you attended this salah.
Perform Eid Salah – Eid Salah must not be missed, as it is a fundamental part of Eid festivities. As narrated by Abdullah bin Umar, ‘Allah’s Apostle used to offer the prayer of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr and then deliver the Khutbah after the prayer’. (Bukhari)
Listening to Sermon (Khutbah) after offering Eid Prayer. (An-Nasai: 1517)
ZAKAT AL-FTIR (Fitrana)
As narrated by Ibn Umar (R.A.) that:
“Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) made it incumbent (Wajib) on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa’ of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1504)
According to above mentioned Hadith, Zakat Al-Fitr or Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or fitrah/fitrana) is Wajib upon every Muslim including slave, freeman, male, female, young, new-born and old. Compulsion of Zakat ul-Fitr on a Muslim is same as the Nisab of normal Zakat (Nisab Is the exemption limit for the payment of Zakat).
The amount of Sadaqa Al-Fitr to be given by each person is an amount minimum or equivalent to one Sa’ of grain / barley / date. Sa’ is an ancient measure of volume and the most common understanding is that one Sa’ is equivalent to approx. 2.25-2.5 KGs. However, Muslims scholars all around the world usually announce the amount of Zakat Al-Fitr to be paid during Ramadan.
As in normal Zakat, Zakat Al-Fitr is distributed among poor and needy Muslim. It is preferable to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr firstly to needy relatives, thereafter to needy neighbors and then to other needy Muslims.
Zakat Al-Fitr should be paid before the Eid Prayer.
CONCLUSION
Eid is a joyous time and many Muslim communities look forward to the celebrations with eagerness. Are you making plans for Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr this year? Eid charity donations are commonly made at this time of year, whether as Zakat donations or Zakat ul-Fitr. So enjoy this festival as you can celebrate the entire day with your friends and family members and eating but don’t forget your under-privileged fellow Muslim brother and sisters who don’t have the means to celebrate this blessed festival.
Source: Islamicfinder
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