“No shadows to depress you. Only joys to surround you. Allah himself to bless you. These are my wishes for you. Today tomorrow and every day… Eid Mubarak!” “When moon of Eid arises it makes all of us so happy and excited. May all of your times be full of such an amusing excitement and happiness. Happy Eid Day!” Eid ul-Fitr 2019 is finally here, and Muslims will now bid adieu to the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr marks the beginning of the new lunar month. After observing the pious month of Ramadan during which Muslims observe fasting, suhur, iftar, charity and recitation of the holy book Quran, they are supposed to perform the obligatory duties on the day of Eid as well. The discipline inculcated during this full one month of Ramadan is supposed to be carried forward for the year. But most Muslims treat the end of Ramadan as the end of rules helping us live and think in a positive manner.
Derivation of the word ‘Eid al-Fitr’ : Indeed, there are several literal translations of the word Eid al-Fitr, which say it a “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast,” or “the Feast of Fast-Breaking.” However, if we look into the insight of this religious festival, it is much more than just ending of fasts.(ramzan)
Here’s how:It is compulsory for the Muslims to pay Zakat, a form of almsgiving, on the day of Eid. There are two types of Zakat — one for wealth and the other for food.(zakat AL FITR, and zakat AL maal.) .Zakat, one of the five main pillars of Islam ,is different from sadqah or charity. It is the mandatory contribution from the rich to the poor class in the society.
Zakat al-Fitr: As the name derives, Zakat al-Fitr, which is similar to Eid al-Fitr, is one of the most important activity for the Muslims to perform on the day of Eid.Zakat al-Fitr is a charity, which should be given in form of food, so the Muslims should give sufficient food to the poor ahead of performing the prayers on the day.If a family has eight members, all of them have to pay their Zakat al-Fitr, even a four-month-old toddler is counted in this. At least, the food of one person should be given as per the rates of wheat in that town. There is no upper limit of giving this charity. “In the prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakat al-Fitr) as a sa’ of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”
Zakat al-Maal: It is customarily 2.5 per cent or 1/40th of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount. For instance, in India, if a person possess seven ounces of gold, he has to give 2. 5 per cent price value of the jewellery to the poor. This demarcation of prices may vary from silver to gold, property, cash etc. Zakat al-Maal is not mandatory for the people who are not rich enough to pay the mandatory price figure.Zakat has been a controversial subject in the history of Islam, especially during the period of Ridda wars.
How to celebrate Eid al-Fitr: Firstly, all Muslims perform bath in the morning. An Islamic scholar, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, said, “The sunnah on Eid is to beautify oneself.” Secondly, eat something preferably odd numbers of dates before going to prayer ground.Thirdly, recite Takbir — it is being said that a person must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah (i.e. to say Takbeer (Allah-Akbar; Allah is the most great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal, the month following the holy month of Ramadan) for having guided you. One can recite Takbir on the way to prayer until the beginning of Eid Prayer. Congratulate one and other — when the companions of the prophet met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another: “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept it from us and from you).” Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.Fourthly, enjoy your food — the days of festivals are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah. Fifthly, do permissible leisurely activities — legendary Islamic figure Al – Haafiz Ibn Hajar said, “It is prescribed to be generous to one’s family and children during the days of Eid, with different kinds of (Halal) things that will bring them pleasure and joy, and allow the body to relax after the effort .The beginning of Shawwal, the tenth lunar month in Islamic calendar. As the holy month of Ramadan ends, people have another chance to improve their fasts. Although the six fasts of Shawwal are not obligatory on the Muslims, but they can correct their previous mistakes and earn more rewards by keeping these. One can keep these six fasts whenever it is convenient during the month of Shawwal. These fasts are equivalent to the fasts of entire year.
At last..: “Wish you and your family the blessings of Allah, the kindness of Allah and help of Allah on this day of Eid. Eid Mubarak!”
( The author is a freelancer. Views are his own [email protected])
