Eid Ul Fitr: The Festival Of Gratitude

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30 days of ascetic life fully immersed in prayers, rigorous fasting avoiding even gulping of saliva, Ramadan is truly a phase of life where earthly life and divinity gets united in a heavenly bond. After 30 days when the full moon shines on the sky it is Eid Ul Fitr, the great celebration of joy, thanksgiving, charity and fraternity. Eid, the greatest festival of Muslims, is an occasion to get united with the supreme god 'Allah', and also to express gratitude to His mercy by being charitable to fellow beings. Ul Fitr literally means breaking of fast. Thus Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawaal, the tenth month in the Muslim calendar, to mark the end of a month long fast during the month of Ramadan.

Eid-Ul-Fitr, the day of thanks giving and joy falls on Friday,12th October in this year. After the rigorous fast that lasts for one month, Eid is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal which is the 10th month of the Islamic calender. 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. Eid is a Day of Remembrance when The Muslims pray to Allah and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favours. Eid is a Day of Forgiveness When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the Day, they whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. Eid is a Day of peace as a Muslim is obliged to establishes peace within his heart by obeying the Law of Allah and leading a disciplinary life.

The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar. There is also the opinion that 'Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival and it has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs'.

Aspects of Eid Ul Fitr
Charity: A very important aspect of Eid is the charity, which all the Muslims are expected to extend to the needy. Earlier, this was in the form of gifts in kind but now cash is given to the needy. Charity is based on the concept of fraternity. If Allah had given you more than enough, it is to be given to your fellow beings who lacks the essentials to live.

Fasting: The first Eid of the year is known as As the third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. By fasting one can be more closer to Allah by giving his body giving only a second place to his/her bodily pleasures and needs. The secondary objective of fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing compassion for the less fortunate, and learn to be thankful and appreciative for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also advantageous to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits.

Thanksgiving: Eid is a day of thanksgiving. Muslims express their gratitude to Allah for the health, strength and opportunities of life. It is considered unholy to fast on this day. It is also a day of forgetting old grudges and ill feelings towards other fellow men.

How to Celebrate Eid
Eid is celebrated elaborately among Muslims all over the world. Special prayers are offered in Mosques, everyone wears nicest clothing and attend Salatul-Eid, the Eid prayer in the morning, people visit each other's homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. People exchange gifts and sweets on this happy occasion. In addition, like the pilgrims in Makkah, the Muslims, who can afford to do so, offer domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice. The meat is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and to the poor and needy.

The conception of Eid in Islam is not confined only to celebration extravagance, luxurious feasts, friendly handshakes and embraces. The Muslims should rather devote this day to the worship of God and should beseech Him to approve their virtuous deeds and forgive their sins. This is because the doors of God's pardon are kept open this day and His Blessings are bountiful.