One of the most popular Islamic holidays, Eid al Fitr, celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Muslims express their appreciation to Allah on this day for giving them the strength and health to endure the extended Ramadan fast. Muslims say prayers and express gratitude to Allah for His favors and blessings. The holiday of Eid al Fitr, which will be observed in 2023, is eagerly anticipated since it is meant to foster Muslims unity and brotherhood. On Eid all Fitr, people plan delectable feasts, don fresh, colorful attire, visit relatives, and exchange Eid greetings.
It seems like Ramadan just started yesterday, and we certainly aren’t ready for this time of increased blessings and multiplied rewards to be over yet! Fortunately, the night and day of Eid are also blessed, and it is important for us to take the time to make dua to Allah (swt) as we go about our Eid preparations.
Ibn Abbas (ra) narrated:
’When the day of Eid al-Fitr [begins], the angels descend on earth, where they take their positions at access points of roads, calling out with a voice that is heard by the whole creation of Allah, except men and Jin, “O Ummah of Muhammad (saw)! Come out to your most Noble and Gracious Lord, who grants much, and pardons the major sins”.
When they (the Ummah) proceed to their places of prayer, Allah, Exalted is He, says to His angels, “O My angels! What is the reward of a worker when he has done his work?”
So they (the angels) say, “Our Lord and Our Master! To receive his reward [for the work, in full]“.
So He [swt] says, “I call you to witness that, for their fasts [during Ramadan], and for their standing in prayer at night, I have made their reward My Pleasure, and my Forgiveness. Depart [from here], you are forgiven”’. [Lataif al-Ma’arif]
Meaning of Eid al Fitr
According to the definition of Eid al Fitr, it is the “Feast of Breaking the Fast.” The first of Islam’s two recognized festivals is Eid all Fitr. Eid al Fitr is a holiday that is organized with enormous feasts all over the world to commemorate the gifts and blessings of Allah. It occurs on the first day of the Islamic calendar month of Shawwal.
Eid al Fitr in 2023
Every year, the precise day of Eid al Fitr varies depending on the time at which the crescent moon, which is visible the night before the new moon, is seen..
History of the holiday
In order to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Badr, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first instituted the feast in 624 CE. At that time, Eid al Fitr has grown in importance throughout Islam. The celebration of Eid al Fitr is said to have started when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) moved from Makkah to Madinah, according to legends.
Message of Eid al Fitr
Eid al Fitr represents qualities like perseverance, piety, holiness, and tenacity. Those who maintain the fast during Ramadan reap the benefits of their arduous spiritual discipline and month-long worship on this day of joy. Muslims express their appreciation to Allah on this holy day for opening the gates of pardon and kindness through the sacred month of Ramadan.
Eid al Fitr serves as a reminder to be kind to those who are less fortunate in addition to being a time for contemplation, new beginnings, and celebration with loved ones. The holiday serves as a reminder to Muslims to welcome members of all social and economic groups and to share the joy of celebrations with the disadvantaged, the needy, and the unloved. The delights of Eid al Fitr were once made available to all the destitute, the oppressed, and widows by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). On this day, every Muslim is expected to give to those in need and reflect on their blessings.
Purpose of Eid ul Fitr
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of a month of prayer, fasting, and refraining from any unfavorable deeds and thoughts. On this blessed day, Muslims around the world express their gratitude to Allah for providing them with the fortitude, resolve, and perseverance necessary to complete the month-long fast and follow His instructions during Ramadan. They ask Allah for guidance in staying on the correct path and ask for rewards for doing good things during the holy month.
How to celebrate Eid ul Fitr
1. Perform Eid prayers
Also known as Eid salah, Eid prayers are performed by all Muslims on Eid ul Fitr when the fast is broken. This prayer includes two Rakaat units along with six or twelve additional takbeers. The first rakaat has 7 takbeers while the second rakaat has 5 takbeers. The purpose of these prayers is to show gratitude to Allah for blessing Muslims with the holy month of Ramadan and enabling them to do Ibadah during the sacred month. It also allows Muslims to begin the holy day with dutifulness to Allah and show their obedience to Him. Eid prayers are usually performed in congregation with friends, family and other fellow Muslims.
2. Enjoy feasts
It is forbidden for Muslims to fast on Eid ul Fitr. The festival starts with a light breakfast that traditionally includes dates and some sweets. Then, during lunch, families and friends gather and enjoy local delicacies like kahk, kunafa and qatayef. The feast is considered incomplete without a large spread of food, including dishes like haleem, biryani, kebabs, nihari and the traditional dessert called swaying. After performing their Eid prayers, Muslims gather with their friends, relatives, and acquaintances. They often hold massive celebrations at homes, community centers or rented halls.
3. Pay zakat al-Fitr and do charity
Eid ul Fitr is also considered as a day of charity. In addition to showing gratitude to Allah, Muslims pay Zakat al-Fitr, which is an obligatory payment for charity. Many Muslims volunteer at soup kitchens and food banks, handing out food to those in need. Eid ul Fitr also serves as a day of introspection for Muslims when they reflect on their actions and assess whether they have contributed to the well-being of those less fortunate.
4. Exchange gifts and greetings
Exchanging gifts, greetings, and wishes is a big part of Eid ul Fitr celebrations. Muslims around the world wear new clothes, distribute sweets and exchange greetings with each other by saying “Eid Mubarak”, meaning “Have a blessed Eid”. Elders give children money and gifts, which is called Eidi. Friends, neighbors, colleagues, loved ones and strangers exchange sweet treats like dates and cookies. Family members buy presents for one another. Typically, most presents are given to the families’ youngest members. Also, Muslims decorate their homes and workplaces in colorful settings.
Focus on the sunnahs of Eid al-Fitr
As well as being a time of well-deserved feasting, greeting and joy, Eid al-Fitr is also an opportunity to practice the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and connect with Allah.
In fact, the night preceding Eid al-Fitr is considered to be one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would not sleep on the night preceding the day of Eid and spend the whole night in worship. He (peace be upon him) said: “There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Shaban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr, and the night before Eid al-Adha,” (As-Suyuti).
After the blessed month of Ramadan, the night before Eid is an opportunity to seek forgiveness, ask for acceptance of our good deeds throughout the month and pray for our needs and desires to be fulfilled.
Some of the sunnah of Eid al-Fitr are:
- Bathing on the morning of Eid, wearing our best clothes and perfume
- Eating something sweet in the morning. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would not attend Eid prayers until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number,” (Hadith, Bukhari)
- Saying takbeer (Allahu Akbar) in the morning (until the time of the Eid prayer)
- A traditional greeting for Eid is “Taqabbal Allahu Minna ma minkum,” – May Allah accept it (worship and good deeds) from you and us.”
- Giving zakat al-Fitr and sadaqah
- Give sadaqah and thanks for your blessings
Dua for Eid Ul Fitr
تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم
