Eid Al-Fitr in Islam
Celebrations in Islam are a blessing from Almighty Allah in that all of them come after accomplishing an act of worship. We have two main celebrations in Islam viz Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he found its inhabitants celebrating two occasions. Upon asking them, they said, “We used to celebrate these occasions during the Ignorance Era (Jahiliyya). He then informed them that The Loving Allah has substituted those two occasions with two better ones viz Eid Al-Fitr (festival of breaking the fast) and Eid Al-Adha (festival of sacrifice). (This Hadith was classified as authentic by Imam Ibn Hajar.)
Muslims officially celebrate these two occasions, which occur after Ramadan and after the pilgrimage, or hajj. Once during Eid Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, Abu Baker (first caliph in Islam) visited Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and found two maidens singing and playing tambourines. He reprimanded them saying, “Do you play Satan’s equipment in the house of the Messenger of Allah?” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) woke up to Abu Baker’s voice and said, “Leave them alone Abu Baker! Indeed every people have their own festival and this is our festival.” (Reported by Imam Muslim)
Major celebrations in Islam: The religious festival of breaking the fast (Eid Al-Fitr) is one of the two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. This Eid (festival) commemorates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is an occasion for special prayers, family visits, gift-giving and charity. It takes place over one to three days, beginning on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is highly recommended and meritorious that Muslims give Zakat Al-Fitr (compulsory charity for ending the worship of obligatory fast) to the poor and the needy so that they too enjoy themselves on Eid. Therefore, its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech, and to help the poor and the needy enjoy the Eid without fear and worry. Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prescribed the Zakat Al-Fitr as a means of purifying the fasting person from shortcomings in his fast, and as a means of providing food for the poor and the needy.
Whoever pays it before the Eid prayer will have it accepted from him as Zakat (Al-Fitr). And if anyone pays it after the prayer, then it will be regarded as any optional charity.” (Al-Albani rated it as Hasan (authentic) in Saheeh Abi Dawud # 1, 609)
Cause for celebration: The main reason for the Muslims to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr is their conviction that Almighty Allah has forgiven their sins. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of pure faith and hoping for reward from Allah, he will be forgiven his previous sins. And whoever stands in Prayer and devotion during the Night of Power, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari # 1901)
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