With the end of the month of Ramadan, the new moon of the Shawaal, the tenth Islamic month, brings in the glad tidings of a festival of breaking the fast. That is life return to normal as was before entering into the month of Ramadan a month ago. Due to dependence on the lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan can be of 29 or 30 days.
If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then the holiday is celebrated the following day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country.
The first day of Shawaal is thus known as the Eid al-Fitr / ʿĪd al-Fiṭr "عيد الفطر "- the festival of breaking the fast. It is also called Al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr (العيد الصغير The smaller / lesser Eid). It is also known as Meethi (sweet) Eid in some countries as on this day sweetened dishes are prepared and devoured happily.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr originated by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when he migrated from Makkah to Medinah. Anas, a well-known companion of the Islamic prophet, narrated that, when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation. At this, Muhammad remarked that God had fixed two mandatory days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (The second of the canonical festivals of Islam).
Muslims start to prepare for celebrating the Eid al Fitr in the last days of the Ramadan and an increased hustle and bustle is observed in the markets, families buying new clothes and shoes. For girls, the preparations also include buying glass bangles, gaudy coloured dresses with matching shoes and purses/bags.
The Eid day dawns with the special Eid prayer congregation at central places, rather than small masjid, so that Muslims en mass could join their brethren on this happy day. It is forbidden to keep fast on the Eid day. For this very reason, one must eat something, even a piece of date, before proceeding for the Eid prayers.
It is actually haram (prohibited) to fast on Eid day, as stated in a Hadith: He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] forbade fasting on the day of 'Eid) al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (the day of sacrifice, i.e., 'Eid al-Adha).
After the prayers are over, all greet each other by embracing and wishing Eid Mubarak (greeting). Special dishes are prepared at homes by the ladies, specially sweet dishes. Sheer Khurma is one of the most favourite sweet dish of the day. Sheer means milk in Persian and khurma means dates; it is a delectable and nutritious mix of Seviyan (a form of vermicelli), dates and milk. This simple yet delicious dessert is versatile as it can be served hot or cold.
Cognizant of the fact that the poor may not have enough money to also participate in the festivities of the day, it is a obligatory Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to pay Zakatal Fitr, also called Fitrana or Sadaqat-Ul-Fitr, before the Eid prayers, much better if it is paid a day or two earlier so that poor could also buy clothes or at least some sweets for their families.
In order to include the poor in the festivities of the day, a obligatory charitable donation known as Fitrana is given before the Eid prayers to the poor so that could also buy clothes for their children and cook special food for the day. Fitrana or Fitra is also called Zakat-Ul-Fitr, also called Sadaqat-Ul-Fitr, is a charity that has to be paid for by every household. Unlike Zakat, where only the individuals who have savings above the nisaab amount are required to pay Zakat, Zakat-Ul-Fitr applies to every member of the household as well.
Read our previous posts to know more about Eid al Fitr:
Soon after reaching home after Eid prayers, fathers and elder give "Eidi" to the children. Eidi is a usually paid in cash so that the children can celebrate the day by buying chocolates or other eatables, sometimes toys as well, to join in the celebrations of the day. Thereafter the sweetened dishes are served by the ladies of the house. The entire day is then spent in welcoming guests / friends and families who come to wish the Eid greetings. Children also get Eidi from the visiting guests and the day continues as a thankfulness for successfully braving the rigours of the fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have encouraged this practice saying: “Give gifts to one another, you will love each other.”
Please watch an introductory video on Eid al Fitr:
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) accept our fasting during the month of Ramadan and help us not to forget our Muslim brethren with Zakatul Fitr so that they also join in the festivities of the Eid day.
May Allah help us to understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah by assisting them in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.
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