By; Talha Ali – Philippines
Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting is obligatory upon all healthy Muslims who are not travelling or subject to certain other conditions. The word Eid-ul-Fitr is comprised of two separate words: Eid and Fitr. The word Eid means something which returns over and over. Hence, Eid refers to the kind of happiness which comes again and again. This word is only used in one instance in the Holy Qur’an, in reference to the disciples of the Prophet Jesusas. The Holy Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Ma’idah, Chapter 5, verse 115:
“Said Jesus, son of Mary, ‘O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table from heaven spread with food that it may be to us a festival [Eid], to the first of us and to the last of us, and a Sign from Thee; and provide sustenance for us, for Thou art the Best of sustainers.’”
The word Fitr means to break or open the fast. Hence, Eid-ul-Fitr is the oft-returning festival of the breaking of the fast.
Practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa on Eid-ul-Fitr
The first Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated by the Holy Prophetsa in the second year of Hijra (the migration from Makkah to Madinah). It was in this year that fasting during the month of Ramadan was divinely ordained to Muslims. Incidentally, the Battle of Badr was also fought during the month of Ramadan in that same year.
It is mentioned in the books of Ahadith that the Holy Prophetsa was still weak from the fatigue of the battle, and that he had to be supported on the shoulders of Hazrat Bilalra whilst delivering the Sermon.Traditionally, the Holy Prophetsa used to offer the Eid prayers in a spacious, open place rather than the mosque. After offering the two Raka’ats (units of Salat) of the Eid prayer first, he would then turn around and deliver the Eid Sermon while the congregation remained seated.
The Holy Prophetsa would also walk to where the Eid prayers were being held rather than using some other mode of transport and would use a different route on his return.
It was also the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa that he would eat something sweet (usually dates, and always an odd number) before going for the Eid prayers. This was the opposite of his practice for Eid-ul-Adha, where he fasted before prayer and only opened the fast with the meat of the sacrificial animal.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa directed that all women, whether young, old or not offering prayers, should still attend the Eid prayers. After delivering the Eid Sermon, the Holy Prophetsa would visit the ladies’ area and would offer them advice and guidance.
The sermons of the Holy Prophetsa, which have been recorded in the books of Ahadith, tell us that Prophet Muhammadsa used to praise and glorify Allah Almighty on the day of Eid in an extra special manner. In one of the sermons, the Holy Prophetsa emphasised that one should stay away from any innovations in Islam. He also mentioned in one of his Eid Sermons that “Al-Sa’at, i.e., the Day of Resurrection, and I are together like these two fingers of mine.” Hazrat Jabirra narrates that when the Prophetsa of Allah mentioned the Day of Resurrection, his face became red and his voice became loud and awe-inspiring and it was as if the Holy Prophetsa was warning them of a huge army about to attack.
Eid as a Continuation of the Message of Ramadan
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the blessed month of Ramadan and in essence, it is the celebration of the favour of Allah Almighty that He allowed his followers another opportunity to spend the month of Ramadan occupied in His worship. The philosophy of Eid-ul-Fitr is not to celebrate the end of fasting, but rather to continue on one’s spiritual journey. There are two main messages enshrined in the month of Ramadan, namely, worship of Allah, and the realisation of the pains and sorrows of other human beings. Eid-ul-Fitr is the continuation of both these messages. It is a day of celebration where in addition to the five obligatory (daily) prayers, the believers also gather for a sixth congregational prayer to remember Allah Almighty and be thankful for His blessings.
Eid as a Reminder of Sacrifice
As mentioned earlier, the word Eid is used in the Holy Qur’an on only one occasion, in reference to the disciples of Jesusas. So, there is no direct mention of an Islamic “Eid” in the Holy Qur’an. However, a closer study of the Holy Qur’an reveals that Allah mentions not a day but eras of happiness in reference to the Muslims after mentioning the importance of sacrifice. The Holy Qur’an states in Chapter 9, verse 111:
“Surely, Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their property in return for the Garden they shall have.”
Similarly, the last verses of Chapter 61 of the Holy Qur’an clearly explain that those who sacrifice in the way of Allah shall have a great reward from Him and shall see great happiness.
Eid as the Day of Freedom from Bondage
The month of Ramadan is a special blessing from Allah which enables us to break free from the slavery of various bad habits, if it is observed properly. A person can break free from various addictions during this blessed month such as laziness and lethargy, excess eating, cursing, backbiting and lying, etc. If a person understands the true message of Ramadan, the world can also break free from economic slavery and the bondage of poverty and hunger. Hence, a person who goes through the month of Ramadan faithfully, while analysing one’s self, as the Holy Prophetsa did, will surely be freed from various chains and shackles. In this sense, the day of Eid is indeed a day of great celebration and happiness as it is the day of true freedom and independence for man.
True freedom from sinful existence requires true repentance. The Promised Messiahas says regarding this:
Eid as the Day to Meet our Beloved
The day of Eid has a special connection with the meeting of loved ones. It is a day when we not only go to the houses of our relatives, but we embrace even those who we may not know personally, after the Eid Sermon. The poetry of many languages, especially Urdu, is full of beautiful allegories about the day of Eid and the meeting of the beloved. The true spiritual philosophy of Eid is also the philosophy of the meeting of the beloved as illustrated by the beautiful Hadith of the Holy Prophetsa.
Source: reviewofreligions.org
