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 realization 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. Ramadan is a time to reflect and understand how the poor and hungry feel so we can be more sympathetic and care for their needs. Similarly, the month of Ramadan is a reminder that there are many in this world who have to suffer the pangs of thirst and hunger on a regular basis. This realization is supposed to make a believer empathize and sympathize with the less fortunate, and should make a believer spend more of his money on charity in order to benefit those who are lacking. Eid is a continuation of this message as well, and a reminder that the philosophy of the month of Ramadan needs to be adopted throughout the rest of the year as well. That is why the Holy Prophet (SAW) prescribed a special charity upon every Muslim known as Fitrana (obligatory alms for the poor and needy to be given on or before Eid-ul-Fitr) to be collected before the Eid Prayers and to be distributed to the needy so that they may also enjoy celebrating the festival of Eid. Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration and reminder of personal sacrifice, whereas Eid-ul-Adha signifies communal sacrifice. Every Muslim makes great sacrifices during the month of Ramadan by abstaining from that which is permissible, such as food and drink, and offering extra prayers throughout the night. Even those who are legitimately unable to fast make sacrifices by offering extra prayers during this blessed month.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is a reminder that Allah has blessed us with great happiness as a result of the sacrifices made during the month of Ramadan but if we forget the lessons of these sacrifices then our Eid will not be an Eid of true happiness, as a grievous punishment from Allah awaits us”.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a reminder that after every sacrifice there is a time of happiness and celebration, but a believer should not forget the lessons learned from these sacrifices. That is why Allah has prescribed an extra prayer on the day of Eid, to teach the believer that although his period of great sacrifice may have ended and fasting is no longer required, nevertheless he should not forget the spiritual lessons learnt. The specific verse in the Holy Qur’an which mentions the word Eid, quoted at the beginning of this article, is also a reminder of this fact. Allah clearly mentions in that verse that during this time of happiness and festivities, or Eid, one should not forget these sacrifices; otherwise it will result in the most grievous punishment from Allah the Almighty. Hence, Eid-ul-Fitr is a reminder that Allah has blessed us with great happiness as a result of the sacrifices made during the month of Ramadan but if we forget the lessons of these sacrifices then our Eid will not be an Eid of true happiness, as a grievous punishment from Allah awaits us.
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