Muslims celebrate
'Eid ul Fitr on the first day of Shawwal -- the tenth month of the Islamic calendar,
following the month of Ramadhan (in which the revelation started and ended 20+
years later, and which is also the month of fasting). Following a Lunar calendar,
Muslims mark the beginning of the month with the sighting of the new crescent.
The month long fasting of Ramadan
culminates into the festival of 'Eid-ul-Fitr,the Festival of Fast-Breaking. It
is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving to Almighty God. The giving
of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. This is known as Zakat.
Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning,
and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of "'Eid mubarak," or "a
blessed 'Eid" are exchanged joyfully.
Eid
Ul Fitr Prayer
Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber.
La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah
is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is
great. And all praises are for Allah).
Things
to do on Eid
The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning
of the day of 'Eid-ul-Fitr:
1. To wake up early in the morning.
2. To
clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or a brush.
3. To take a bath.
4. To
put on one's best available clothes.
5. To wear perfume.
6. To eat a sweet
food, preferably dates, before the Eid prayer.
7. To recite the following
Takbir in the low voice while going to the 'Eid prayer:
Allahu Akbar Allahu
Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd
The
'Eid Prayer
Some rules in this respect
are mentioned hereunder:
1. The Eid
prayer is Wajib (obligatory) on every male Muslim.
2.
The Eid prayer can be performed any time between the Ishraq and Zawal.
3.
It is preferable that the 'Eid prayer is performed at an open field and not in
a mosque. However, if, it is difficult for any reason to perform it in an open
field, it can also be performed in a big mosque.
4.
No Nafl Salah can be performed before the 'Eid prayer, neither in one's home,
nor at the place of' Eid prayer. Similarly, Nafl prayer cannot be performed after
the Eid prayer at the same place. However, it can be performed after one comes
back to his home.
5. The Eid prayer
has neither Adhan nor Iqamah.
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