Eid al-Fitr - Understanding Islam
There are two major holidays in the Islamic calendar. The first is called Eid al-Fitr. This celebration marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month directly after Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
On the early morning of the holiday, Muslims gather in a mosques for the special Eid prayers (salaat-l-'Eid). Every man and child is welcome to attend this community prayer, which is preceded by a sermon. Following a short prayer, worshipers greet each other and begin several days of family visits. During this time, Muslims try to spend time with family and friends, visit the sick and elderly, and offer games and gifts to the children. Muslims thus celebrate the completion of another fasting month, seek blessings and forgiveness, and look forward to the opportunity to fast again the following year.
Sunnah of eid day
- Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
- Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
- Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
- Use perfume (men only).
- Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for mosques. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice .
- Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
- Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.
- Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid:
Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah).