eid-ul-fitr

EID-UL-FITR

When is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr 2022 Date

Mon, 2 May, 2022 – Tue, 3 May, 2022

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is when thousands of Muslims worldwide end their daytime fasting and visit each other while feasting with their neighbours and friends. For Muslims, it is one the most important dates of the year and it comes after 29 or 30 days of fasting in Ramadan. The date is subject to the sighting of the moon and it shifts behind around 10 days every year thus percolating in a date that cycles around the solar Calendar. Hence Muslims get to observe Ramadan and Eid in both winters and summers.

Also, if Eid falls within the first ten days of the Gregorian Calendar, there will be a second Eid within the last ten days of the same Solar year, giving Muslims a chance to celebrate it twice in a year according to common Calendar!

Muslims keep fasting, and at the end of the long month dawn to the fasting of Ramadan, it is celebrated. Throughout the world on the first day of Arabic Shawwal month, people celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.

Note:- How this is the only day in the month of Shawwal, and one of the four days in a lunar year when it is prohibited for Muslims to fast, the other three being the three days of Eid-ul-Adha or ‘Bakra-Eid’ as it is colloquially known.

What is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid-ul-Fitr is the first day of the month Shabaan, the month which comes after Ramadan and the sighting of the crescent moon marks its date. This is one of the two major festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide, the other one being Eid-ul-Adha (which is a three day festival in which Muslims sacrifice animals and distribute collected meat in charity).

In the world, there are different types of religions. People of different faiths celebrate different kinds of religious ceremonies. Eid-ul Fitr is one of the most prominent festivals in the history of Muslim nations. It is a Muslim holiday, and it is a festival that bears real spiritual significance. This unique festival has no historical connection, and also it has no relation to earthly affairs. After observing one-month prolonged fasting, Muslims thank Allah for giving them intention, strength, and patience. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated throughout the world for three days.

Every year millions of Muslims across the world observe the Holy Month of Ramadan. This is the ninth month of the Lunar Islamic Calendar and it marks the period of revelation of the Holy Qur’an. In the month Muslims abstain from eating food and engaging in sexual activity from dawn till dusk and spend a large portion of the day and night praying and engaging in remembrance of Allah, the creator of the universe and Master of both this life and the Hereafter. Muslims break their fast in the evening at the time of the Maghrib call to prayer (the Azaan), and feast on delicious food during what is known as Iftaar.

During the nighttime, an individual is free to eat their fill, however special congregational prayers called the Terawih are arranged in which 8 to 20 Rakaah of Salaat are offered. It is said that during Ramadan, Satan and his spawn are shackled and put into chains, and our good and bad deeds are amplified to be 70 times of their original value in the eyes of Allah. Muslims can be seen engaging in routine acts of kindness to earn the pleasure of their Creator, such as distributing food amongst the poor and offering Zakah or charity in the holy month. At the end of Ramadan, after sighting of the moon, Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, about which we shall discuss in today’s article.

On this day, Muslims get one whole day in which fasting is prohibited, and it is a reward from Allah for observing one whole month of abstinence from worldly pleasures and food. On Eid, a mass congregational prayer called the EidNamaaz is organized in the morning, charity is made to the poor, Muslims visit each other and delicious food is cooked and sweets are prepared. On this joyous occasion both children and adults enjoy themselves and relax in the everlasting mercy of their creator.

Where is Eid-Ul-Fitr Celebrated?

In every Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afganistan, Albania, Bahrain, Benin, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, omen, Sudan, Somalia it is celebrated on national level and it is a public holiday on Eid in these countries. Some other secular countries India also celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr as a national festival. Muslims living in countries like USA, UK, Australia New Zeland etc. celebrates Eid but its not a national festival in these countries.

Why is Eid ul-Fitr Celebrated?

Eid ul Fitr is celebrated as the first revelation of the Holy Qur’an came during the month of Ramadan, and this is the reason why so many Muslims spend their time reading and understanding the Qur’an during the Holy Month. In the Terawih congregational prayers, they try to finish recitation of the Holy Book from start to finish and usually the prayers end on around the twentieth day of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Eid to thank Allah for the strength and endurance needed to fast and abstain during the month of Ramadan.

They celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr to engage in charity (Al-Fitr) and to mark the triumph over the nafs or the inner urges that compel one to do evil. Eid is the day when celebrate the bounties bestowed upon them by their Creator and thank Him for all the Blessings he has given us.

In chapter 2, verse 185, of the Holy Quran states:

You shall complete the number [of days] and you may glorify God for his guiding you, and that you may be thankful.”

This refers to Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. It is clearly an injunction from God to give special importance to these days as it is also one of the five pillars of Islam. The celebration and gratefulness is not due to the month of fasting coming to an end, but rather, Muslims having had the great opportunity to partake in the month of forgiveness and to seek spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It is a great opportunity for believers to seek change and better their character and imaan during this month.

One more story says Eid ul-Fitr’s origin was related by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad(S). This festival was started in Medina after the end of Muhammad from Mecca. Anas, who was the well-known companion of Prophet, narrated that at a time when Prophet arrived in Medina, he saw people celebrating two different days with recreation and merriment. Prophet became very anxious for them and told them that Allah had decided only two days to celebrate instead of these you are doing. He ensured them Eid –ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are better than all festivals of yours.

How is Eid ul-Fitr Celebrated?

Eid-ul Fitr bears happiness to all Muslim people in the world. It doesn’t begin until the new moon appears in the sky. After observing fasting, it has come. On Eid day early in the morning people at first for remaining fresh take a bath, then they go to the mosque for prayers.

Eid-ul Fitr prayer is held in mosques, society centres, and outside spaces. There are many countries in which mosque fills quickly, and people arrange prayer and make lines with prayer mats in streets and parks. Speakers stay outside to the carter for the swamp of people. They recite holy sermon(khutba), and Muslims listen to it carefully. After finishing the prayer, they exchange greetings and embrace each other by saying “Eid Mubarak”.

After the sighting of the moon at the end of Ramadan, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr begins from sunset in a region. On this day, special prayers are made to God which consist of two Rakaat and have a radically different style of offering from regular prayers. After prayers, Muslims go home where delicious food and sweet dish has been prepared and distribute alms or charity to the poor.

Children are given Eidi money on this day, which they may use to purchase toys or other recreational items. It is also called MeethiEid in Urdu, due to preparation of several sweet dishes on the day such vermicelli or Sewai. It is forbidden to fast on this day, like the three days of Eid-ul-Adha, and the charity has to be distributed before the Eid prayer. Zakaat is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is obligatory on every Muslim who is in the position to afford it, to give charity to the poor. Once the Eid prayers are over, overjoyed Muslims hug each other and greet one another by saying ‘Eid Mubarak!’

Tradition Of Eid al-Fitr

Eid is a quality time when people are spending time with their friends and family. Usually, people buy new clothes to wear on this day, but poor people can not afford new dresses, so they celebrate it with old clothes. Before coming Eid Muslims start cleaning and decorating their house to welcome the occasion. Women wear henna in their hand in Chadd rat(the night before Eid day). People visit their friends and family and spend time throughout the day. Sometimes they exchange gifts to each other, and children get pocket money(Salami) from elders as a token of love.

During the three-day celebration, people attend many events, festivals and theme parks with friends and families. Spiritually it is a holy festival, so people on this day try to forget all negative issues and forgive all. Traditionally they visit their relatives who are sick and give them charity. Also, they pay respect to the people who died.

Foods Of Eid-ul-Fitr

No occasion can be completed without meals and deserts? Eid is such kind of event in which people prepare delicious food items. The world is surviving up to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, and the preparations are in full swing. Here some delightful food items that you must try on this day.

  • Sheer Khurma: This is one kind of sweet dish which is made with fresh milk pudding and vermicelli. Nuts and raisins are also being added for getting a sweet aroma and taste.
  • Sewaiyan Kimami: similar Sheer khurma vermicelli and milk are two-star ingredients of this dessert. But it is little consistency and thick than Sheer Khurma. Almond, coconut, lotus seeds, cashews are also used in it for getting a better taste.
  • Biriyani: This festival is wholly incomplete without biriyani. Fragrant rice, meat, spicy salad, raita and with some other ingredients it is made. People enjoy it with lettuce and special pickle sauce.
  • Nehari: It is one kind of slow-cooked food typically made with beef or lamb. Traditionally it is a breakfast dish, but you can enjoy it during the evenings while gossiping with friends and family.
  • Meat Pullaos: In southeast Asia, it is a popular dish. Traditionally it is cooked with rice and meat in an excellent flavour.
  • Ras Malai: It is another kind of sweet dish on Eid day. People make it by using grabby milk and add sugar, nuts, almond, raisins.

What are the multiple names of Eid-Ul-Fitr ?

Alike some other big celebration of the world it is known differently for its various English names. In different countries, people translate it differently. The sweet festival, a feast of fasting, smaller Eid, Eid-al-Fitr, Eid-al Saghir, Ramadan feast are some names that people utter as the alternative name of Eid-ul-Fitr.

So Eid-ul-Fitr is a feast of celebration. After observing a long period of fast Muslims around the world celebrate it. By praying, family greetings, feasting, exchanging gifts, helping the needy it is found.

What is Zakat al-Fitr?

It is one kind of donation process. Islam is based on five strong pillars; Zakat is one of them. It is only obligatory on wealthy Muslims. Wealthy Muslims lend a hand to the poor and needy people by conducting the charity typically before the end of the month of fasting. This process helps people to clean their souls from sins, and it gives them proper happiness and peace. Mostly it is a favourite part of Muslims, which is done with great affection and love. Needy people get sweets, cloths, food items from The wealthy Muslim community.

It is a way in which brotherhood has gain. Poor people who have no new clothes and food for celebrating Eid also can enjoy happiness.

So it is clear that Eid-ul-Fitr is one the most important days for Muslims around the world and it is a reward from Almighty God to Muslims who abstained from food and other luxuries during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Also check other Muslim Festivals and All Indian Festivals.

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