After a month of prayer, devotion and self-control, Muslims celebrate the accomplishment of their sacred duties during Ramadan with the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast. The festival is a national holiday in many countries with large Muslim populations. Celebrations of Eid al-Fitr typically last for three days, one day fewer than those of Eid al-Adha. For this reason, Eid al-Fitr is often called “Lesser” or “Smaller Eid.” Eid al-Adha, known as “Greater Eid,” is seen as the more important holiday of the two.
During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims take part in special morning prayers, greet each other with formal embraces and offer each other greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” or “Have a blessed Eid.” They gather with family and friends, give games and gifts to children, and prepare and eat special meals, including sweet dishes like baklava or Turkish delight in Turkey, date-filled pastries and cookies in Saudi Arabia and Iraq and bint al sahn (honey cake) in Yemen.
Another of the five pillars of Islam is Zakat or giving to those in need. Muslims often prepare for Eid al-Fitr by giving money to charity so that less fortunate families can enjoy the festivities as well. In addition to charity, Muslims are also encouraged to give and seek forgiveness during Eid al-Fitr and look forward to the opportunity to fast again during Ramadan next year.
Differences between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
The second major holiday in the Islamic calendar, Eid-al-Adha, occurs at the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage made by millions of Muslims to the holy city of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the Quran, the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was willing to sacrifice his son to God (Allah), but God accepted the sacrifice of an animal instead. Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
Celebrations of the holiday typically last for four days, and are like those of Eid al-Fitr, except that Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha traditionally acknowledge the occasion by slaughtering an animal for meat. The meat is then shared with family and friends, with a large portion given away to the less fortunate.
Eid prayer and Eidgah
The Eid prayer is performed by the congregation in an open area such as a field, community center, or Masjid 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, Sunni or Shia observed. The Eid prayer is followed by the Sermon and then a Supplication asking for God’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 ZAKAAT
SUNNI procedure
As ritual dictates, SUNNI Branch of Islam, praise Allah in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer:
Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar. Lā ilāha illà l-Lāh wal-Lāhu akbar, Allahu akbar walil-Lāhi l-ḥamd
Recitation ceases when they get to the place of Eid or once the Imam commences activities.
The prayer starts by doing “Niyyah” (intention is one’s heart to do any act for following Allah’s commands and, thus, seeking His pleasure) for the prayer before the Takbir (an affirmation of Allah’s Majesty and a declaration of submission to Allah) is said by the Imam and his followers. Next, the Takbir at al-Ihram (utterance of Allahu Akbar) is performed, by saying ALLAHU AKBAR, three times, raising hands to the ears and dropping them each time, except for the last when the hands are folded.
The Imam then reads the Surah Al-Fatihah, (The First chapter in the Quran) followed by another Surah (A chapter in the Quran with 114 Surahs) The congregation performs Ruku (After the recitation of the prayers, the head is bowed and the knees are bowed with both hands, which is one of the essential parts of the prayers. A part of the Qur’an; In the Qur’an, each paragraph is considered as a ruku) and Sujud (Prostration is one of the main pillars of daily prayer in Islam. as in other prayers) This completes the first Rakah (The sequence of postures to complete a single Rakah in a prayer: (a,c) standing (b) bowing; (d, f) prostration; (e) sitting)
The congregation rises and folds their hands for the second rak’ah, after which the Imam recites Surah Al-Fatihah followed by 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 Allahu 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 KHUBAH (Sermon).
SHIA procedure
The prayer starts with the Niyyat followed by five Takbirs. During every Takbir of the first rakat, a special Dua is recited. Then, the Imam recites Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and Surat Al-‘A`lá and the congregation performs Ruku and Sujud as in other prayers. In the second Rakat, the same above steps (five Takbeers, Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and Surat Al-‘A`lá, Ruku and Sujud) are repeated. After the prayer, Khutbah starts.
Post-prayer celebration
During the Eid celebration, Muslims 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 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.
The 99 Names of Allah (SWT) with meaning, and to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.
1. AR-RAHMAAN, The Beneficent; 2. AR-RAHEEM, The Merciful;3. AL-MALIK, The King; 4. AL-QUDDUS, The Most Sacred; 5. AS-SALAMThe Source of Peace, The Flawless; 6. AL-MU’MIN The Infuser of Faith; 7. AL-MUHAYMIN, The Preserver of Safety; 8. AL-AZIZ, All Mighty; 9. AL-JABBAR, The Compeller, The Restorer 10. AL-MUTAKABBIR, The Supreme, The Majestic; 11. AL-KHAALIQ, The Creator, The Maker; 12. AL-BAARI, The Evolver; 13. AL-MUSAWWIR, The Fashioner; 14. AL-GHAFFAR, The Constant Forgiver 15. AL-QAHHAR, The All-Prevailing One; 16. AL-WAHHAAB, The Supreme Bestower; 17. AR-RAZZAAQ, The Provider; 18. AL-FATTAAH, The Supreme Solver; 19. AL- ‘ALEEM, The All-Knowing;
20.AL-QAABID,The Withholder; 21. AL-BAASIT, The Extender. 22. AL-KHAAFIDH, The Reducer; 23. AR-RAAFI’, The Exalter, The Elevator; 24. AL-MU’IZZ, The Honourer, The Bestower; 25. AL-MUZIL, The Dishonourer. 26. AS-SAMEE’, The All-Hearing; 27.AL-BASEER.The All-Seeing; 28. AL-HAKAM, The Impartial Judge; 29. AL-‘ADL, The Utterly Just; 30. AL-LATEEF, The Subtle One, The Most Gentle ; 31. AL-KHABEER, The All-Aware; 32.AL-HALEEM, The Most Forbearing; 33. AL-‘AZEEM, The Magnificent, The Supreme; 34. AL-GHAFOOR, The Great Forgiver; 35. ASH-SHAKOOR, The Most Appreciative; 36. AL-ALLY, The Most High, The Exalted; 37. AL-KABEER, The Most Great; 38. AL-HAFEEDH, The Preserver; 39.AL-MUQEET, The Sustainer;
40. AL-HASEEB. The Reckoner; AL-JALEEL, The Majestic; 42.AL-KAREEM, The Most Generous, The Most Esteemed; 43. AR-RAQEEB, The Watchful; 44. AL-MUJEEB. The Responsive One: 45. AL-WAASI’, The All-Encompassing, the Boundless; 46. AL-HAKEEM, The All-Wise; 47. AL-WADUD, The Most Loving; 48. AL-MAJEED, The Glorious, The Most Honorable; 49. AL-BA’ITH, The Infuser of New Life; 50. ASH-SHAHEED, The All Observing Witnessing
51. AL-HAQQ, The Absolute Truth; 52. AL-WAKEEL, The Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs; 53. AL-QAWIYY, The All-Strong; 54. AL-MATEEN, The Firm, The Steadfast;55. AL-WALIYY, The Protecting Associate, 56. AL-HAMEED, The Praiseworthy; 57. AL-MUHSEE, The All-Enumerating, The Counter; 58. AL-MUBDI, The Originator, The Initiator; 59. AL-MUEED, The Restorer, The Reinstater; 60.AL-MUHYI, The Giver of Life; 61. AL-MUMEET, The Creator of Death; 62. AL-HAYY, The Ever-Living; 63. AL-QAYYOOM, The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting; 64. AL-WAAJID, The Perceiver;
65. AL-MAAJID, The Illustrious, the Magnificent; 66. AL-WAAHID, The One; 67. AL-AHAD, The Unique, The Only One; 68. AS-SAMAD, The Eternal, Satisfier of Needs; 69.AL-QADEER, The Omnipotent; 70. AL-MUQTADIR, The Powerful; 71. AL-MUQADDIM, The Expediter, The Promoter; 72. AL-MU’AKHKHIR, The Delayer; 73. AL-AWWAL, The First; 74. AL-AAKHIR, The Last; 75. AZ-ZAAHIR, The Manifest.
76. AL-BAATIN,The Hidden One, Knower of the Hidden; 77. AL-WAALI, The Sole Governor; 78. AL-MUTA’ALI,The Self Exalted; 79. AL-BARR, The Source of All Goodness; 80.AT-TAWWAB, The Ever-Pardoning; 81.AL-MUNTAQIM, The Avenger; 82. AL-‘AFUWW, The Pardoner; 83. AR-RA’OOF, The Most Kind; 84. MAALIK-UL-MULK, Master of the Kingdom, Owner of the Dominion; 85. DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM, Lord of Glory and Honor, Lord of Majesty and Generosity;
86. AL-MUQSIT, The Just One; 87. AL-JAAMI’, The Gatherer, the Uniter; 88. AL-GHANIYY, The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy; 89. AL-MUGHNI,The Enricher; 90. AL-MANI’, The Withholder;91. AD-DHARR, The Distresser; 92. AN-NAFI’, The Propitious, the Benefactor; 93. AN-NUR, The Light, The Illuminator; 94. AL-HAADI, The Guide; 95. AL-BADEE’, The Incomparable Originator; 96. AL-BAAQI, The Everlasting; 97. AL-WAARITH, The Inheritor, The Heir; 98. AR-RASHEED, The Guide, Infallible Teacher; 99. AS-SABOOR, The Forbearing, The Patient.
Sources
- Ken Chitwood, “What is Eid and how do Muslims celebrate it?” The Conversation, June 3, 2019.
- How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated around the world? BBC Bitesize.
- Christine Huda Dodge, The Everything Understanding Islam Book(Adams Media, 2003).
- BY: COM E
- Eid al-Fitr – Wikipedia
- 99 Names of Allah – Al Asma ul Husna | Islamic Relief UK (islamic-relief.org.uk)
