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Level 2 :: Lesson 20

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Eid and End of Ramadan

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Description: The month of Ramadan concludes with a festive day of celebration incorporating within it, gratitude to Allah, family bonding, merriment and aiding those less fortunate through charity. The lesson provides guidelines pertaining to this day.

By NewMuslims.com

Published on 14 Dec 2011 - Last modified on 20 Aug 2017

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Objectives

·To identify what is Zakat ul-Fitr.

·To realize the wisdom and obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr.

·To learn basic regulations of Zakat ul-Fitr.

·To identify what is Eid.

·To appreciate the importance of takbeer.

·To understand some guidelines on Eid prayer and celebration.

Arabic Terms

·Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month in which the obligatory fasting has been prescribed.

·Ghusl – ritual bath.

·Eid - festival or celebration. Muslims celebrate two major religious holidays, known as Eid-ul-Fitr (which takes place after Ramadan) and Eid-ul-Adha (which occurs at the time of the Hajj).

·Eid ul-Fitr – Muslim celebration at the end of Ramadan.

·Eid ul-Adha – “Feast of the Sacrifice”.

·Rakah - unit of prayer.

·Zakat ul-Fitr - fast-breaking obligatory charity.

Your Islamic center will announce the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid. The first day of the month following Ramadan is Eid ul-Fitr, the celebration of fast-breaking. Very likely, in the last few days of Ramadan, your mosque will also start collecting obligatory post-Ramadan food (or money) due for the poor Muslims called Zakat ul-Fitr (Fast-breaking obligatory charity).

Zakat ul-Fitr

One of the companions of the Prophet said,

"Messenger of Allah made Zakat ul-Fitr obligatory to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer, but it is mere charity (like any other) for the one who gives it after the prayer."[1]

We learn three matters regarding Zakat ul-Fitr:

(a) It purifies the person who fasted Ramadan and cleanses him of indecent talk and minor sins performed during Ramadan.

(b) This Eid is a day of eating and drinking, as the month prior to it was one of fasting. Zakat ul-Fitr ensures that even the poorest of Muslims will partake in this outward show of festivity.

(c) Paying Zakat ul-Fitr is required of every Muslim capable of giving for himself and on behalf of every family member under his care.

The Quantity of Food

The quantity of food to be given out per person is roughly equal to four handfuls of the two hands held together. Its weight will be different for different foodstuffs. It is allowed to give money to a charity organization or mosque so that they buy the foodstuff and distribute it to the poor on your behalf, and that is why many mosques will offer to collect its dollar equivalent from you instead. You also have the option of giving the food stuff to the mosque or charity organization, paying them to take care of distributing Zakat ul-Fitr on your behalf, or you can give it out on your own.

The Type of Food

The staple food of the people in your area may be given. Dates, barley, wheat, olives, raisins, wheat, and dried yogurt used to be commonly eaten food in the time of the Prophet. Today, pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, cheese, and similar foods are more common.

The Best Time to Give It

The best time for it to be given out starts from the eve of Eid until right before going to the prayer.

Permissible Time to Give It

You may offer it one or two days before Eid.

Delaying it after Eid Prayer

It is a sin to delay it after Eid prayer.

Who to Give It To?

It is given to a fellow Muslim with limited financial means, but not necessarily in complete poverty.

Eid ul-Fitr

“Eid” means a day of social gathering. In Islam there are only three festivals:

(a) The yearly Eid ul-Fitr

(b) The yearly Eid ul-Adha

Eid ul-Fitr is a major festivity for the Muslims, a time for gratitude to Allah, family bonding, fun, and merriment. On this day people greet one another and visit relatives and friends. Elaborate dishes are prepared, new clothes are worn, presents are exchanged, and children have fun.

The following are some recommended acts to be performed on Eid:

a)Ghusl or bathing early in the day before the Eid prayer.

b)Beautifying oneself: The Prophet used to wear his best clothes to go to the Eid prayer. He had a cloak that he wore specifically on the two Eids and Friday.

c)Saying takbeer (proclamation of the greatness of Allah) is a distinctive feature of Eid and is mentioned in the Quran:

"…And that you should exclaim Allah's greatness for having guided you, so that you may be grateful." (Quran 2:185)

When?

The time for Eid takbeer's starts from the time a person leaves his house heading towards the prayer-hall. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, would leave his house on the day of Eid saying takbeer until he had performed the prayer. He would stop saying the takbeer after the prayer.

What to Say?

There are various authentic narrations about what should be said in the takbeer. For brevity, we will mention the one which is most common.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akar, La ilaha ill-Allah, w’Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-Hamd.[2]

The Eid Prayer

Islam teaches us how to celebrate these occasions of joy. Their spirit is to remember God’s gifts in our everyday life; that is why the major part of the celebration is a public prayer. The Eid prayer is composed of two rakahs, with some additions. The prayer leader will describe the method of Eid prayer. After the prayer he will deliver the Eid sermon, typically lasting for half an hour.

Afterwards, people will greet each other saying ‘Taqabbal-Allahu Mini wa Minkum,’[3] ‘Kulla aam wa antum bi-khayr,’[4] ‘Eid mubarak,’[5] or simply ‘Happy Eid.’

I will encourage you to take some time off from school or work to celebrate Eid with fellow Muslims. As you grow spiritually in years to come, developing friendships, and hopefully, raising a happy Muslim family, Eid will surely become a meaningful family festival, in which all come together and praise God for the gift of Guidance.

Footnotes:

[1] Abu Dawoud, Ibn Majah, Darqutni, Hakim

[2] Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. None deserves to be worshipped but Allah. Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all thanks and praise is for Him!

[3] May Allah accept our worship.”

[4] May each year see you prosperous.

[5] Have a blessed Eid.

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