By: Mudasir Ali
Eid-al-fitr is a religious festival for Muslims and a hallmark which significantly marks the end of the holiest month of Ramadhan. True believers of Islam know how to celebrate this festival within the teachings of Islam.
Eid is a reward for those who have strong faith in Islam and submit their will to Allah- the almighty. The Pious men among us keep this celebration simple and deny all tabooed things so as to keep everything clear and within the ambit of Islam.
In Islamic tradition, one who spends money extravagantly has been declared the brother of devil. So, Allah never wants that his believers would go astray in the labyrinth of evils. He always gives high rewards for his slaves in order to achieve top ranking among those whom Allah have conferred with high awards. Every believer should understand the meaning and significance of this special festival. The outcome of our deeds should be a panacea for our darkened hearts.
The companions of our beloved Prophet (SAW) would perform a number of deeds on this day for earning infinite rewards. They prayedthe lord for absolving their sins. It was the true essence of this celebration that these companions knew.
This Eid should not be celebrated in such a way so that we end up inviting ill practices that will eventually waste our good deeds that we have earned during the month of Ramadhan. One of the true believer and highly influential ranked saint in his time was Sheikh Abdul QadirJeelani (RA). He explained the gist of this Eid as: “My Eid is on that day when Allah will forgive my sins”.
Following are some of the activities that the believers of Islam must follow on the occasion of this religious festival:
1.Giving alms to the needy: -It is obligatory for everyone to offerSadaqah (a properly calculated amount) to the poor and destitute. Sadaqah purifies our fasting for getting it accepted in the court of Allah.
- Taking ritual bath (Gasul):- It is the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (SAW) to take Gasul (A specific bath) in the wee hours. Muslims should also wear new dresses which are permissible according to the Islam.
- Tasting any sweet food like dates: – Our beloved Prophet took some dates before going to Eidprayers.
- Greeting brethren:- It is also the Sunnah of our prophet (SAW) that everymuslim should greet other muslims. The best among us is the one who greets first.
- Zikar: On this day, a special zikar was reciting by our beloved prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). It is like this;Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha, Illalahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Wa-lil-lahilHamd. One must recite it while going to EidGah and then returning back.
- Giving some amount (Eidi); – On this occasion, we give some amount of money to our children so that they feel very happy. We should not forget our elders like; grandmothers and grandfathers. They also fee jubilant on receiving a special amount.
The writer is a civil service aspirant .Email id:- ahangermudasir911@gamail.com
