Holy month of Ramadan is going to end soon. As start of this holy month brings joy and blessings to muslims , its end is even more joyful and blessed. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). Although , ALLAH subhaana hu wa taala rewards muslims who fast in dunyaa and akhira in many ways, but EID-ul-fitar is one of the greatest reward for the fasting muslims.
Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) Migration:
Anas (ra), a companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told them:
‘Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.’
Eid-ul-fitar Celebrations:
Indeed Eid-al-fitr is the day of joy for all of us but Eid-ul-Fitr is not all about dressing up in fine new clothes, eating delicious treats and pursuing carnal pleasures and delights. In its outward celebration Eid-ul-Fitar is actually meant to symbolize the acceptance of acts of worshipful obedience; the remission of sins and mistakes; the conversion of bad deeds into good deeds; the glad tidings of promotion to higher spiritual degrees and the conferring of robes of honor, gifts and gracious favors. Eid should be celebrated, but together with celebrating it, Allah Ta’ala should also be remembered. Whether there is happiness or sadness, He should never be forgotten; just as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said,
“The people who will be called towards Paradise first on the Day of Judgment are those who praised Allah Ta’ala during happiness and sadness.”
Sunnahs of Eid-ul-fitar:
So following are some sunnahs to be observed on Eid day, and some other good deeds to do :
1 ) wake up early , offer fajar , then start preparation for Eid day.
2 ) Take a bath and dress in clean clothes, Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
3) use perfume or fragrance.
4) Give Zakaat al fitr to the needy, before Salaat-al-Eid.
5) One should not come out to the prayer-place on Eid al-Fitr before eating some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik who said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… and he would eat an odd number.”(Bukhaari, 953)
Eid Gaah for Eid Prayer:
6) Offer Salaah early in the morning in an eid gaah with other Muslims. Listen to the Khutbah. Take your family members with you.
7) Walk to the Eid Gah and take a different route on the way back home.
Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to vary his routes on the day of Eid.(Bukhaari)
8) Go to the Eid Gah calmly, relaxed and dignified, with the gaze lowered.
9) Hug and greet people. This festival has a feeling of brotherhood in it. All the persons hug each other on this day regardless of caste or creed
10) Eid prayer consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.So, After the prayers, start visiting your relatives, eat sweets and ‘sewiah’, give gifts to children, donate something to the poor and needy and shower blessings and love upon everybody.
11)Involve children and females of family too.
12) Try to share you festivity with as many people as you can. Joy is to be shared, happiness multiplies if you share it.
