Eid Ul Fitr: Meaning behind rituals and prayers of a Holy Day

“O Ummah of Muhammed (peace be upon Him) come forth from your houses towards Allah who is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the major sins.” This is how on the morning of Eid Ul Fitr the angels of Allah (Malaaikah) call out to the Muslims.

When the believers proceed towards the place for Eid prayers, Almighty Allah says to the angels: What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered his services? The Malaaikah reply: O our Lord and Master, it is only right that he shall receive his reward in full for his services. Almighty Allah then proclaims, “I call you to witness, O my Malaaikh that for their having fasted for me during the month of Ramadan and for their having stood before me in prayers by night, I have granted to them as reward my pleasure and have granted them forgiveness."

The faithful Muslims must realize that Allah's special reward is only for the people who brighten the holy Month of Ramadan - the only month which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Quran with promises of bountiful blessings, forgiveness and eternal bliss. Though we celebrate the festival, many a devotee regrets to bid farewell to this holy month as our holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be on Him) said: “If my followers were to realize what Ramadan really was they would wish the whole year should just be Ramadan.”

With the dawn of new Shavaal moon, Ramadan fasting, Tharaveeh prayers and paying of Zakath which is recommended in this month will come to an end but other obligations, such as, five times regular prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran and distribution of charity will continue.

Islam has bestowed two festivals for its followers, namely: Eid Ul Fitr - Ramadan festival and Eid Ul Azha - Haj Festival. Both are to be celebrated after some sacrifices. Anything after a sacrifice is valued more. We observe among children how they enjoy fasting for 30 days and look forward to celebrate Eid Festival with great joy and happiness.

Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated on completion of 29 or 30 days of fasting, which itself is a great sacrifice made against even the lawful needs of the body and soul. It was the arrogant soul of Satan that misled him and he became the most cursed and wretched one. Here again, celebration of the festival gives immense satisfaction for the followers who actively engage in attentive Ibdat (religious observance), day and night, in the Holy month of Ramadan, sacrificing and controlling their desires.

The day begins with the festival prayers in the mosque or Eid Gah (open valley). Believers clad in new clothes flock in large numbers to offer prayers. Saying the Takbir "Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great, There is no God other than Allah. Allah is most Great Allah is most Great,” repeatedly is a Sunah. The Holy Prophet said “Adorn your Eids with repeated utterances of Takbir.” Once the congregational prayer is over, Muslims greet each other with the salutation 'Thakabal Allahu Minna Wa Minka' (O Allah accept us and others), thus forgetting past differences and much needed unity and brotherhood is established.

The Ramadan festival is termed as Eid Ul Fitr because it gives prominence to fulfilling the aspirations of the poor and needy. The affluent and faithful Muslims, who understand the pangs of hunger and consider the feelings of the poor through Ramadan fasting, visit the needy and assist them with food, clothing and cash. Islam insists that every affluent Muslim with substantial means gives at least two full measures of rice as 'Sadaqathul Fitr' before going out for festival prayers the following morning. This frees the poor of the necessity of going around (looking for alms) on this day and helps them feel rich and comfortable.

It is related through Ibnu Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon Him) ordered the Sadakathul Fitr as purification for the one who fasts to be free from vain things and that it is a help and sustenance to the poor. The messenger of Allah has further stressed: "Fast (of a rich man) lies suspended between the earth and heaven, it is only raised to heaven by offering Sadakathul Fitr.

Soon after the Eid prayers, Muslims go to the burial grounds to invoke the mercy of Allah and his forgiveness for the dead. While visiting the grave one should say: "Peace be upon you, O people of the grave. May Allah pardon you and us. You are forerunners and we are in your footsteps". One may visit the graves for they produce abstinence in this world and act as a reminder of what to expect next.

This visit teaches us that on no occasion should our mind be immersed in fun and frolic, thus neglecting the remembrance of Almighty Allah and life after death. We must always remember Almighty Allah who will save us from Jahannam (hell fire) and grant us Jennath (Paradise) which is our only aim. May Allah accept our religious observances performed during the Holy month of Ramadan and reward us in this world as well as in the hereafter.