Eid-ul-Fitr: The Celebration Marking the End of Ramadan

 by Ramjan Mubarak

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar (a Lunar calendar which relies on the sighting of the crescent moon to confirm when the next month begins). For further information on the basics of Ramadan, please see my previous article here.

Lunar months can either be 29 or 30 days long. If the moon is sighted after the 29th day of fasting has been completed, then this means the commencement of the tenth month of the Islamic Calendar, Shawwal, and it's the first day of this month which Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr (literally meaning the 'festival of the breaking of the fast'). If the moon is not sighted, this means that there is another day of fasting to go and the day after will be Eid, which takes place today, 21st April, this year.

We celebrate this Eid festival to mark the end of the fasting month, which is a day of happiness and showing gratitude to Allah for having guided us and for helping us to do more good deeds and complete the blessed month. Before Eid occurs, we must evaluate how productive our Ramadan has been and see what good habits we can now continue in the future. 

Muslims will prepare ahead for the day of Eid by cooking food, getting gifts ready and putting decorations up. The night before, we will also recite the special Eid Takbeer (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the Greatest. And to Allah be all Praise) in Arabic to express our gratitude to Allah (Qur'an 2:185). We also make sure to pay Zakat-ul-fitr (the purifying charity of the breaking of the fast) ahead of the Eid prayer. This is an obligation upon those who are financially able, including children (but the head of the household is responsible for paying on their behalf). For this, we have to donate one Sa' (equivalent to 3kg) of staple food, especially dates or barley, which is donated to Muslims who are in need, so they can eat on the day of Eid.

Following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as Muslims we will:

* undertake a special wash, Ghusl, in preparation to pray at the Mosque

* wear our best clothes

* eat an odd number of dates

* continue to say the Eid Takbeer as we make our to the Mosque/Place of Prayer and until the start of the prayer

* join the special Eid Prayer at the Mosque in the morning, which is an obligation upon all Muslims. The prayer is in slightly different format to our regular prayers. We first pray the Eid prayer, then the Imam delivers a Khutbah (sermon). The actual tradition is to pray the Eid prayer outside in congregation, but unfortunately arrangements can sometimes be difficult. However, more recently, in Portsmouth, and for many years in London, this tradition has been revived where the Eid Prayer is being held at a park. 

After the prayer, Muslims will either say Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and you) and/or simply say 'Eid Mubarak' to one another. 

Then, we will choose to celebrate in various ways, including:

* going to the local Muslim community's Eid festival, which includes many foods, stalls, rides and many activities for children

* spending time with our family and friends at home (e.g. by hosting an Eid party) or going somewhere else on a fun day trip together

* visiting the resting places of our loved ones who have passed away

* eating special meals (it is actually forbidden to intentionally fast on the two Eid days that Muslims celebrate (Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha) so eating food is important on these days!)

* giving each other gifts

* giving gifts to the less fortunate Muslims, especially children, who will also be celebrating Eid

* donating items, such as food items, to a local homeless shelter.