Eid-ul- Fitr signifies the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. Muslims all across the globe celebrate Ramadan with full commotion and enthusiasm for 29 or 30 days (depending upon the lunar calendar). Muslims fast during these days where they do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. It is practiced to achieve spiritual, emotional, and physical rejuvenation. After fasting for 29 or 30 days, when the Ramadan ends, Eid-ul-Fitr come as a source of rejoice for Muslims.
What is the Eid-ul-Fitr? What is the purpose of Eid and how do Muslims celebrate it?
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What is Eid-ul-Fitr and its Purpose?
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two Eid Festivals for Muslims in a year. An eid is a religious celebration for Muslims during which they perform the obligatory Eid rituals and celebrate it with their family and friends. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated for three days right after Ramadan. When the moon of Shawwal – that is the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar – is sighted, it is declared Chand Raat (the night before eid). On the Chand Raat, Muslims complete their Ramadan’s obligations and start preparation for the Eid morning.
The purpose of Eid-ul-Fitr is to celebrate the completion of Ramadan with family and friends. However, everyone remember the poor and the needy people of the society and include them in their celebrations. Donations and Eid gifts are sent to these people. Moreover, Eid is an occasion where people let go of all the resentments towards family and friends and join them in the Eid celebrations.
The purpose of Eid is not to override the purpose of Ramadan; in fact, it means to take the lessons learned in Ramadan and apply them in the rest of the year.
Muslims and the Eid Day
A regular Eid day is full of festivities. The first day starts with the Eid prayer. To prepare for Eid prayer, it is considered good to take a bath, wear clean or new clothes, wear perfume, and walk to the Masjid. Muslims go to the Masjid to offer collective Eid prayers. The purpose of collective Eid prayer is that Muslims meet and offer Eid greeting to one another.
This increases unity and brotherhood among Muslims. On the other hand, people decorate their houses and make sweet dishes on Eid day. No matter what part of the world Muslims live in, they prepare special traditional sweets to commemorate this special event. People visit their relatives and friends and bring gifts or sweets. Children of the house get money or gifts from the elders of the family.
Eid-ul-Fitr across different Cultures
The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr holds significance to Muslims from all across the globe. The ways of celebration may differ depending upon different cultures, but the purpose is the same – to spread positivity and joy. Other than the obligatory Eid rituals, people are free to celebrate however they want. Every country brings its cultures on one table, which is in fact the real beauty of the day.
In Turkey, people take extended Eid holidays to visit their relatives from different cities and plan vacations. In suitable weather, they visit beaches to swim, do fishing, and other activities. The goal is to spend the time with family and enjoy.
In other Asian countries, food is the main attraction on Eid days. People cook food and go to picnics. They visit their relatives and friends often bringing gifts. In Pakistan and some other countries like Egypt, elders give Eidi (money given on eid as a gift) to children of the house.
In non-Muslim countries where Muslims are in minority, many Muslims take some time out to offer their Eid prayers in the Masjid. Other than that, they held Eid parties in Muslim community centers to celebrate this event.
Despite the differences in cultures and food in different parts of the world, all three Eid days are surrounded by warmth and delight. It acts as a time-out from a hectic routine for Muslims.
Delights of Eid-ul-Fitr
What are the things that make Eid day special from the rest of the days?
Joy of Fasting
It may come off as weird to many but Muslims take pride in observing Ramadan fasts. Ramadan is a healing period for Muslims. They also set new goals and resolutions for themselves and focus on their personal growth. So, when 30 days of fasting ends in such a joyous occasion like Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims feel rewarded. The idea of a three-day celebration after Ramadan lifts their spirits and mood.
Family and Friends Reunions
Eid-ul-Fitr is the time of the year when people visit their relatives and friends whom they have not met in months or days. These reunions are always filled with festivities and are a source of joy for people. Additionally, months-old resentments are forgotten and new promises are made.
Fraternity and Brotherhood
As the Eid prayers are offered collectively in the mosques, it serves the purpose of bringing Muslims closer to one another. It is most likely to forget the discrimination or caste, race, status, sects, etc., and bring everyone closer. During normal days – due to busy life – Muslims do not often get the chance to offer collective prayers in mosques. Therefore, Eid prayers are special, as they incorporate a sense of community.
Giving and Sharing
On the joyous occasion of Eid, Muslims do not forget the needy people of the society. They donate alms and gifts to the needy to share the joys of Eid with them.
Eid Holidays
Last but not the least, Eid holidays are one of the most joyous and worthy perks of Eid-ul-Fitr. In today’s world that is focused on work, Eid holidays come as a sweet relief. However, this a perk for Muslims living in Muslim countries only.
Muslims no matter what part of the world they live in have many common traditions of celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. Many of the traditions revolve around family get together, food, and Eid gifts. Eid-ul-Fitr uplifts spirits and gives a well-deserved break to Muslims from routine affairs and it brings variability to life.
What are the Eid traditions and cultures, you celebrate in your part of the world to share the joy of Eid?
