Eidul Fitr in Islam

 

Eid al-Fitr (/iːd əl ˈfɪtər/ eed əl FIT-ər; Arabic: عيد الفطر‎ ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, IPA: [ʕiːd al fitˤr]),[4] also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" or Lesser Eid, or simply Eid,[5] is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.[6] The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities, so the day of celebration varies by locality. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world.

Eid al-Fitr has a particular salat (Islamic prayer) that consists of two rakats (units) generally performed in an open field or large hall. It may only be performed in congregation (jamāʿat) and features six additional Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying "Allāhu ʾAkbar", meaning "God is the greatest") in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam: three at the start of the first rakat and three just before rukūʿ in the second rakat.[7] Other Sunni schools usually have twelve Takbirs, similarly split in groups of seven and five. In Shia Islam, the salat has six Takbirs in the first rakat at the end of qira'a, before rukūʿ, and five in the second.[8] Depending on the juristic opinion of the locality, this salat is either farḍ فرض (obligatory), mustaḥabb (strongly recommended) or mandūb مندوب (preferable). After the salat, Muslims would celebrate the Eid al-Fitr in various ways.[9]

Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to certain traditions, these festivals were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from Mecca. Anas, a well-known companion of the Islamic prophet, narrated that, when Muhammad arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation and merriment. At this, Muhammad remarked that Allah had fixed two days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.[10]

General rituals

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. 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.[11] Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country.[12] It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid, and a specific prayer is nominated for this day.[13] As an obligatory act of charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy (Arabic: Zakat-ul-fitr) before performing the ‘Eid prayer.[14][better source needed]

Eid al-Fitr mass prayer in Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia

Eid prayer and eidgah

Further information: Eid prayers and Eidgah

The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, or mosques.[12] No call to prayer is given for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two units of prayer with a variable amount of Takbirs and other prayer elements depending on the branch of Islam observed.The Eid prayer is followed by the sermon and then a supplication asking for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living beings across the world. The sermon also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat.[15] The sermon of Eid takes place after the Eid prayer, unlike Friday prayer which comes first before prayer. Some imams believe that listening to the sermon at Eid is optional.[16] After the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends, and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centers, or rented halls.[12]

Many Muslims often bring prayer rugs to the Mosque on Eid al-Fitr.

Sunni procedure

As ritual dictates, Sunnis praise Allah in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer: Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar. Lā ilāha illà l-Lāh wal-Lāhu akbar, Allahu akbar walil-Lāhi l-ḥamd(الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، الله أكبر الله أكبر، و لله الحمد.

الله أكبر كبيراً، و الحمد لله كثيراً، و سبحان الله بكرةً و أصيلاً.

لا إله إلا الله وحدهُ، صدق وعدهُ و نصر عبدهُ و أعز جندهُ و هزم الأحزاب وحدهُ.

لا إله إلا الله و لا نعبدُ إلا إياهُ، مُخلصين له الدين و لو كره الكافرون.

اللهم صلِ على سيدنا محمدٍ، و على آل سيدنا محمدٍ، و على أصحاب سيدنا محمدٍ، و على أنصار سيدنا محمدٍ، و على أزواج سيدنا محمدٍ، و على ذرية سيدنا محمدٍ، و سلم تسليماً كثيراً.). Recitation ceases when they get to the place of Eid or once the Imam commences activities.[17]

The prayer starts by doing "Niyyat" for the prayer and then Takbir is said by the Imam and his followers. Next, "Takbeer-e-Tehreema" is recited, followed by Allahu Akbar three times, raising hands to the ears and dropping them each time, except for the last when the hands are folded. Then the Imam reads the Surah-e-Fatiha and other Surah. Then the congregation performs Ruku and Sujud as in other prayers. This completes the first rakat. The congregation rises up and folds their hands for the second rakat., during which the Imam recites Surah Fatiha and another Surah. After this, three Takbirs are called out just before the Ruku, each time raising hands to the ears and dropping them. For the fourth time, the congregation says Allah o Akbar and subsequently goes into the Ruku. The rest of the prayer is completed in the regular manner. This completes the Eid prayer. After the prayer there is a khutbah.[18]

During the Eid celebration, Muslims would greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak, which is Arabic for "Blessed Eid". As it comes after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and consumed during the celebration. Muslims would typically decorate their homes, and are also encouraged to forgive each other and seek forgiveness. In countries with large Muslim populations, it is normally a public holiday with most schools and businesses closed for the day. Practices differ by country and region, as stated in the section below.[20]