Eid al Fitr: A Spiritual Thanksgiving
Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety (Quran - 2:183) Eid al Fitr , is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm).
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Muslims experience Ramadan as a month of training to be closer to God’s will. In the process, they experience a lot of difficulties and challenges, not only resisting the temptation to eat and drink, but the temptation to do evil acts as well. Hence, Eid is a celebration of God’s grace for successfully nurturing them throughout the one month. It is a special time for families to celebrate the goodness of God in their lives, as well as to renew their Islamic faith.
Different countries have various ways of celebrating Eid. The common thing among these celebrations, however, is that they are all done with the family. More than a feast, Eid al Fitr is a spiritual thanksgiving. It is a celebration of Muslimscommitments to live out the teachings of the prophet of Islam. It’s also a time for Muslims to experience the blessings of belonging to families and communities. The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day.
The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month after Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. Eid al Fitr has a particular Salat (Islamic prayer) that is generally offered in an open field or large hall.
For Muslims, the festival of Eid al Fitr is an occasion of showing gratitude to God and remembering Him.
As an obligatory act of charity, Muslims must pay money to the poor and the needy people before performing the Eid prayer. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer. After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give wellwishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days.
Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety (Quran - 2:183) Eid al Fitr , is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm).
During the month of Ramadan,...
Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety (Quran - 2:183) Eid al Fitr , is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm).
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it.
Muslims experience Ramadan as a month of training to be closer to God’s will. In the process, they experience a lot of difficulties and challenges, not only resisting the temptation to eat and drink, but the temptation to do evil acts as well. Hence, Eid is a celebration of God’s grace for successfully nurturing them throughout the one month. It is a special time for families to celebrate the goodness of God in their lives, as well as to renew their Islamic faith.
Different countries have various ways of celebrating Eid. The common thing among these celebrations, however, is that they are all done with the family. More than a feast, Eid al Fitr is a spiritual thanksgiving. It is a celebration of Muslimscommitments to live out the teachings of the prophet of Islam. It’s also a time for Muslims to experience the blessings of belonging to families and communities. The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day.
The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month after Shawwal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. Eid al Fitr has a particular Salat (Islamic prayer) that is generally offered in an open field or large hall.
For Muslims, the festival of Eid al Fitr is an occasion of showing gratitude to God and remembering Him.
As an obligatory act of charity, Muslims must pay money to the poor and the needy people before performing the Eid prayer. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer. After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give wellwishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days.
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