Eid Al-Fitr is the celebration of the end of Ramadan – the month of fasting for Muslims. It is very important because Muslims feel they have accomplished a lot during this month. Most feel their Eman boosted. Thus they are more joyous.
Eid Al-Fitr is marked as a holiday for all Muslims around the world, so if you wonder how Muslims celebrate it, and its significance, keep reading this article.
What is Eid Al-Fitr?
Eid meaning is the beginning of the month of Shawwal, and it comes after the blessed month of Ramadan, and its day is an announcement of the completion of the obligatory fast.
As Muslims around the world observe it by performing the Eid prayer; to Thank Allah S.W.T, and praise Him for enabling them to complete the worship of fasting, and it was called a feast. Because it brings joy and pleasure to Muslims.
It was called a feast because Allah S.W.T returns benevolence to His servants on the feast; By breaking the fast after fasting, performing zakat Al Fitr, making a pilgrimage to the Sacred House, offering sacrifices, and so on.
Also, It was called Eid because of the great goodness in it that returns and is repeated after acts of worship every year, including the blessing of breaking the fast after fasting and abstaining from food.
Celebrations of Eid Al-Fitr 2023
All Muslims around the world celebrate Eid Al-Fitr as soon as the crescent moon has been observed. In Muslim countries, all houses and everywhere can hear the announcement echoing through the Masjid.
Then Muslims start the celebrations of Eid early in the morning to perform the Eid prayer with other Muslims. The Eid Mubarak meaning is an Arabic phrase commonly used to greet and congratulate fellow Muslims on the occasion of Eid. Eid, which means “festival” or “celebration,” refers to the two major Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The preparation for Eid is held a week before, this preparation differs from one country to another, but the celebrations are usually as follows:
- All men wearing white jellaba as a sign of purity, then go to the Mosque for Eid prayer and perform takbeer saying “Allah Akbar ”.
- Children prepared their new clothes a day before the Eid celebration with joy and happiness in their hearts.
- Eid breakfast, as Eid Al-Fitr celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, so eating is such a big part of Eid celebrations across the world.
- Muslims visit their relatives and friends and exchange sweets and gifts with each other as a symbol of gratitude.
- Eid party cakes have become an integral part of the celebration ceremonies and rituals on the occasion of Eid, for example, Muslims make different shapes and foods that usually begin with the Eid prayer.
- Muslims celebrate it in an atmosphere of happiness that prevails in all families, who celebrate this occasion through rituals and customs that are passed down from generation to generation.
- Muslims these days go on recreational trips to beautiful places, eat delicious eid food, and exchange fun conversation, and they By giving children money to bring joy and happiness into their hearts, in addition to buying various toys and exchanging gifts among themselves.
Significance of Eid Al-Fitr for Muslims
First and foremost, let me use this medium to congratulate you all for the completion of the Ramadan fast and for witnessing this year’s Eid Al-Fitr festival. May Allah accept all our acts of worship therein and include us among the fortunate ones.
1. The Festival of Breaking the Fast
Eid Al-Fitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan.
It’s a day of celebration because the fast observers receive the rewards after month-long worship and rigorous spiritual training.
2. Day to thank Allah for his blessings
Similarly, it is also the day of thankfulness to the Lord because He has opened the doors of mercy and forgiveness through the blessed month of Ramadan.
4. Unique spiritual festival for Muslims
Eid al-Fitr is indeed a unique festival that is purely spiritual. It is the day when Muslims thank and appreciate Allah for giving them the will, strength, and endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan, the month of the Quran and fasting.
5. Day to return to Allah S.W.T
According to an explanation, Eid Al-Fitr is the day of the return of the servants of Allah to pure nature (Fitra). This is because man is created with a pure nature (Fitrat al-Allah) which always guides him toward his Creator.
Meanwhile, the month-long worship and purification of Ramadan removes and cleanses the hardened layers of sins in the fast observers and reunites them with their Creator.
For that reason, the day of Eid is indeed the day of man’s return to His creator with a purified soul. In other words, Eid al-Fitr is not a day when we return to our old life of thanklessness and heedlessness, rather, it’s a day when we expect to start a new life with renewed spiritual energy and determination.
6. Time for reflection and reconnection to the right way
In light of this, the period of Eid al-Fitr is a time for reflection and starting afresh, a time to rejoice with family and friends, but also a time for remembering those who are less privileged individuals in our society. It’s a time to count our blessings while also giving charity to those in need.
7. The virtue of Zakat in Eid Al-Fitr
The rich and the poor meet on this day at the zakat table, with which the poor rejoice and forgets their misery and hunger. On the other hand, the rich descend humbly to his Lord when he fulfills his financial right over him, so he feels joy and happiness by performing this right for the poor and bringing joy and happiness to his heart.
Eid Al-Fiter spread happiness in the hearts of young and old Muslims. But before celebrating it you should know why we celebrate it. Simply we celebrate it as a thanks/shukur to complete the fasts of the month of Ramadan and be blessed by Allah S.W.T.
