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EID
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Before the
arrival of Islam in the Arab world, there is a talk about Eid festival as
yawn al-sabasab and yawn al-sab’ and some other mentions among the Arab. The
Israelites had also festivals as well but it is evident from Old Testament
and some other scriptures that these festivals ascertained more to
commemorating certain days of history. As per History of Eid or story behind
Eid, this festival Eid-ul-Fitr was first originated by the last prophet of
Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and occur on the first of month of Shawwal, after
the end of holy month of fasting, the Ramadhan, in which Muslims undergo
fasting for a period of one month.
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According to
convinced Ahadith, these pious festivals were instigated in Madinah after
migration. Anas reports that:
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When the Prophet
Muhammad arrived at the city of Madinah, he found some people celebrating two
explicit days in which people used to amuse and entertain by merriment and
playing. Prophet Muhammad asked people regarding the nature of these sorts of
celebrations and merriment at which people responded that these festivities
were occasions of recreation and fun of days of jahilliyah. At this point,
the Prophet Muhammad remarked that the Almighty God has set two days of
holidays instead of these festivities for you, which is far better:
Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
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For Muslims, both
the celebrations of Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-adha are auspicious events of
showing thankfulness to Almighty God and recalling him and a means of
amusement and merriment. A’ishah reports that on the auspicious day of Eid
when her father Abu Bakr Siddiq stopped some young girls from singing,
Prophet Muhammad said: Abu Bakr! Every nation has their own ‘id and this is
our Eid.
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All Muslim fast
on daily basis every year throughout the holy month of Ramadhan, from dawn
until the dusk. Fasting involves abstaining from beverages, food and sexual
relations. By withholding from some of the carnal and basic desires and
needs, Muslims develop self-discipline or self-control: the ability to prevent
from doing something one deeply and intensely desire, purely out of
compliance to the Creator. This month-long exercise of fasting helps in
developing and strengthening to live a life of wholesomeness and obedience to
Almighty God regardless of the lure towards sin. Those people who are sick,
traveling, and elderly or women who are nursing and pregnant are allowed to
break the fast and cover up the missed days of Ramadhan at some later time.
If they are incapable to do this later, they must provide food to a needy one
for every missed day. Children are obligated to begin their fasting from the
very age of puberty. Even though fasting is advantageous to health, it is
considered chiefly as a way of spiritual self refinement.
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People says about
Eid that The Eid Festival is a joint effort of varied community organization
from the Detroit/Dearborn Metropolitan area, to swarm a cultural, educational
and entertaining and educational occasion for the community all through the
yearly celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration concluding
the Islamic blessed month of Ramadan, in which Muslims are required to fast
in all days of Ramadhan from dawn to dusk, refraining from beverages, foods,
assisting the underprivileged and engaging in some kind of community services.
The advantages of this form of fasting helps in strengthening and increasing
moral character, appreciating the everyday blessings of food and beverages,
and sympathizing with the person who are less fortunate or underprivileged.
In the social sense people celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr by visiting to relatives and
neighbor homes and exchanging warm greetings like ‘Eid Mubarak’. The exchange
of such kind of greetings is part of cultural tradition and not the religious
obligation.
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Fasting in the
holy month of Ramadhan is among the five pillars of Islam. The five pillars
in Islam are discussed below:
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Faith - Faith
involves believing and one should worship only the Maker of this Universe and
to not worship any form human beings, statues, animals, desire or anything
else. Faith also requires belief that Creator sent leadership of right and
wrong through several messengers such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and
lastly the Prophet Muhammad. His message served and provided to cleanse and
purify the direction of all the previous messengers from modifications done
by humankind over the past many centuries. His message also offered and
served a complete set of godly laws for humanity, pertinent in all situations
for the time to come.
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Prayer –
Establishing and offering prayers 5 times in a single day, serves as a
reminder throughout the day of the purpose in life i.e. to worship the
Creator.
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Zakat -
Obligatory charity given to less fortunate, underprivileged or for any other
religious purpose at least once in a year by those people who have means for
donating. Intended charity is also greatly emphasized in Islam.
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Fasting -
Refraining from food, drink, social gatherings and sexual relations
throughout the holy month of Ramadhan, thereby strengthening and increasing characteristics
of self-restraint, patience, and God consciousness.
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Hajj – It is the
pilgrimage occurs in the city of Mecca and those who are physically and
financially able are required to perform the Hajj at least once in lifetime.
It is a holy quest of obedience to God and refinement of the heart.
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