Eid Al Fitr - Eid Ul Fitr - Ramadan Eid - Islamic Festival

Eid al-Fitr is popularly called Eid ul-Fitr and Ramzan Eid. Eid al-Fitr translated into English means "festival of breaking of the fast" as Eid al-Fitr marks and celebrates the end of the Islamic holy month of fasting, Ramzan which is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

Fasting is called Roza. It is kept from break of dawn to dusk. Roza or fasting is abstaining from food all day, drinking, gambling & sex.

Muslims not only celebrate the end of the month-long fasting but also thank Allah for the help and strength that He gave them throughout to help them complete it successfully and practice self-control.

The holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammed in the month of Ramzan or Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr falls on the last day of the month of Ramadan which is the 1st day of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

The date of Eid al-Fitr is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, the Hiijri calendar, and, therefore, its date, as well as the date of start of any lunar Hiijri month, depends on the local sighting of the new moon by the local religious authorities.

The date of Eid al-Fitr can vary in different areas of the world. Thus the festival can be celebrated on different days depending on the sighting of the new moon.

However, most people, if they are not able to sight the new moon, base their celebrations on the declaration made in Saudi Arabia.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the first 3 days of Shawwal.

Of the 2 Eids in a year, (the other being Eid al-Adha) Eid al-Fitr is the first Eid of the year and the smaller Eid of the two. It is also known as Choti Eid.

Prophet Muhammed was blessed with Divine knowledge in the month of Ramzan (the Holy Quran being revealed to him. This was in the last 10 days of the month). He then ordained the entire month of Ramzan be kept for fasting and prayer which Muslims follow to this day.

It is believed that the Eid al-Fitr festival first started in Medinah when Prophet Muhammed first migrated to Medina from Mecca. According to a hadith, (a collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad which, with accounts of his daily practise (the Sunna) constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Koran) attributed to Anas Ibn Malik, a companion of the prophet, the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were instituted by the prophet after his migration to Medinah.

On Eid, Muslims wake up early to offer Salat ul-Fajr. Following this they have ghusl (bath), apply perfume (just the men), have breakfast and head off for Salat al-Eid, (a community prayer), held at special prayer grounds.

They recite the Takbir (chant Allahu Akbar, a declaration of faith), on their way there. A special charity called Zakat al-Fitr is given, which is supposed to be given before offering the Eid prayer.

Eid al Fitr celebrations continue for 2 to 3 days. These begin from the pre-Eid night.

On the pre-Eid night, people go on a shopping spree in markets and malls. These extend till late into the night. New clothes are bought, food purchased, women apply mehndi (henna) on their hands and wear colourful bangles.

On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr special prayers are held in mosques and large grounds, from sunrise to noon, the world over, wherever Muslims reside.

Muslims wear new clothes, greeting "Eid Mubarak" and embrace one another. Gifts are exchanged, children are given Eidi (a token amount of cash) by elders in the family. Children offer salaam (greetings) to parents & acquaintances and are on their best behaviour.

Mosques are filled with people offering prayers. Charity or Fitra is given in the belief that given at this time charity is rewarded manifold. It is time to distribute Zakat or donation of 2.5% of one's yearly earnings.

After Eid prayers, families visit the graves of their deceased members and offer prayers for them.

Special meals and delicacies are prepared and shared with relatives and friends. This is the time for thanksgiving as well as great merriment.

Eid revelry is shared by the non-Muslims as well.

1. Wake up early.
2. Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
3. Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
4. Brush your teeth.
5. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
6. Use perfume (men only).
7. Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
8. Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
9. Go to prayer ground early.
10. Offer Salaat-al-Eid, in a congregation, in an open place, except when the weather is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
11. Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.
12. Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Maghrib on the 9th Zdilhijjah and last until the Asr on the 12th Zdilhijjah: Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is greater, Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater, Allah is greater. And all praises are for Allah).

Source: http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/Adha/sunnah_of_eid.htm

A number of mouthwatering dishes and delicacies are prepared to celebrate this festival. Some of these are:

• Badam Phirni (a rice & almond pudding)
• Haleem (a savoury dish made with lamb)
• Nawabi Biryani (a delectably flavoured non-vegetarian rice dish fir for Kings)
• Seviyan (a traditional dessert made with vermicelli, milk & dry fruits)
• Gulab Jamun (a ball-shaped milk dessert immersed in sugar syrup)
• Ras Malai (a sweet dessert prepared with milk)
• Vegetable Pulao (a rice-veggies dish)
• Kheer (a dessert of rice cooked in milk)