What Eid Al Fitr means to Muslims
With Eid Al Fitr just a few days away, Muslims all over the world are preparing to celebrate one of the highly-awaited UAE holidays with great enthusiasm. Also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, Eid is a highly anticipated event for locals as well as expat Muslims. If you want to know, how is Eid Al Fitr celebrated and why is it so significant for Muslims? This is is what you need to know:
History of Eid Al Fitr
Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha every year. Both the names are often shortened to just Eid — but since they represent two distinct acts of worship, it’s important to clarify what their significance is for Muslims.
Eid Al Fitr, the comes first and marks the breaking of the fast. Eid Al Adha comes later in the year and is considered as the festival of sacrifice.
Significance of Ramadan before Eid Al Fitr
The word “Eid” means “feast” or “festival”. Eid Al Fitr is a religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Fasting is considered an act of worship during this month and a chance for Muslims to be more compassionate to the needy, practice patience and get closer to the Almighty.
Origin of Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan commemorates the time when the Quran, the Holy book, was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed by the angel Gabriel. The night of revelation, also called the “Night of Power” — or Laylat Al-Qadar — is also believed to have occurred during Ramadan.
Muslims all over the world are required to fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan — a practice that is meant to instil patience and faith. The date the Islamic month falls on is slightly different each year since it depends on the sighting of the moon.
Meaning of Eid Al Fitr
The end of the 30-day fast in Ramadan is marked by a celebration — Eid Al Fitr. Lasting three days, the purpose of the festival is to promote brotherhood and bring one’s self back to the normal course of life after a month of religious devotion and abstaining from food or drink. In fact, this is also why Eid Al Fitr is known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” — also alternatively referred to as the Feast of Fasting, Sugar Feast and Eid of Happiness.
Celebrated immediately after the last day of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic calendar. Like the month before it, the date of the three-day festival depends on when the moon is visible in the geographical locations.
How is Eid Al Fitr celebrated?
Before the festivities begin, there are some rituals that must be observed. During the first day, Muslims gather at the mosque for the Eid prayer or Salat Al Eid, the purpose of which is to thank the Almighty for getting them through the holy month of fasting. The prayer is often followed by a sermon where attendees ask Allah for mercy, peace and blessings for all. They will also wish one another “Eid Mubarak” or “Blessed Eid.” It is also a tradition for Muslims to wear new garments during the celebratory period. After the Eid prayer, Muslims visit other family members and the local community.
Family gatherings during Eid are usually accompanied by large meals. Eid al Fitr activities hold special significance for children as they get cash gifts and sweets from their elders and relatives. To commemorate the festival, a lot of families also decorate their homes on Eid.
A charitable celebration
Apart from social gatherings, Eid Al Fitr is also a time when Muslims show gratitude to Allah by donating to philanthropic and charitable causes. An example is the Zikat Al Fitr or charity that is given for the poor and needy during Ramadan. The charity is expected to be given a few days before Eid Al Fitr, so that the needy can celebrate the upcoming Festival of the Feast in comfort. It is also compulsory for Muslims to pay Zakat Al Fitr as long as they have the means to do so.
Charity is central to the Muslim faith as is represented by its inclusion in the Five Pillars of Islam. Giving charity means that one’s faith in the Almighty is true and that material possessions do not control you. Moreover, by being charitable, one saves themselves from vices like greed and envy. The celebration is also an ideal time to forgive those who have wronged us.
Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is expected to fall on May 24th or Shawwal 1 from the Islamic calendar. For Muslims, Eid Al Fitr celebrates the completion of spiritual duty and is a time to bond, exchange greetings, hugs and laughter with friends, family and the community.
Now that you know why Eid Al Fitr is celebrated, learn how you can enjoy it best. Our guide to celebrating Eid Al Fitr at home can help you make the most of the festive holiday with your family.
Of course, if you rather revel outdoors, there are several Eid Staycation deals in Dubai there for the taking too. Different cultures have their own versions of celebrating the Festival of the Fast. Learn about traditional Eid food from around the world.
For more updates on Eid celebrations in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.
