Eid al Fitr is one of the most important religious celebrations observed in around the whole world by nearly 70 million Muslims who follow the religion of Islam.
Eid al-Fitr literally means the festival of the breaking of the fast as it is the day which signifies the end of the month of Ramadan or Ramzan and ushers in the first month of the Shawwal.
This day celebrates the end of the almost a month long fast and is the start of the lunar Hijri month. The festival is based on the faith of social practices.
Ramadan or Ramzan, the month preceding Eid al-Fitr is a month spent in keeping Sawm of fasting. Fast in this month is kept from dawn to dusk, which is called Roza, as according to Islamic history, it was in this month that Prophet Muhammad was visited by angel Jibril to initiate and instruct Muhammad on the ways and means of God to be propagated amongst men as he was the chosen messenger of God.
In 2016 Eid al-Fitr is slated to be celebrated on the 7th of July, Thursday. The date remains flexible as it is dependent upon the sighting of the moon. However, it is mostly celebrated as per the date in Saudi Arabia.
Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is celebrated in accordance with the lunar based Islamic calendar. As such the date keeps on varying each year when plotted against the modern day calendar.
- In 2014, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Wednesday, July 30.
- In 2015, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Friday, July 17.
- In 2016, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Tuesday, July 5.
- In 2017, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Sunday, June 25.
- In 2018, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Friday, June 15.
- In 2019, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Wednesday, June 5.
- In 2020, Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar is on Sunday, May 24.
- Celebration of Eid al-Fitr
After the month of Ramzan, which is a month of renunciation of all things and observing a fast, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with a lot of devotion and fanfare. On this auspicious day Muslims wear their best and new clothes and offer a congregational prayer in mosques or a large place. In Eid al-Fitr there is a particular salat or Islamic prayer consisting of 2 Rakats or units and has an additional 6 Takbirs. Takbirs are the act of raising the hands to the ears while saying Allahu Akbar, which means Allah, is great. Three of this is in the start of the first Rakah and three of them before Ruku. Post the Eid al-Fitr prayers, all the Muslims wish each other. Before this day the market offers lot of new options to be bought for the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. On this day people clean their houses and decorate the houses as well. They cook delicious cuisines and sweets to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Some absolute must recipes of this occasion are Biriyani and Seviyan, which is sweet vermicelli.
- Significance of Eid al-Fitr
This auspicious day and the religious holiday encourage everyone to forget all animosity and differences and concentrate on brotherhood. If a devout Muslim has not given zakat al-fitr during the Ramzan month, can do that on this day. The zakat al-fitr or charity can be done in the form of dates, barley, raisins, wheat or money to the lesser fortunate people. People also visit their relatives or friends and wish each other with Eid Mubarak. The Muslims also visit the departed souls’ graves after the prayer is over. This is a tradition brought forward by Huzrat Muhammad who is said to have visited his mother’s grave when he was upset and sought her forgiveness. Thus Eid al-Fitr has an important social connotation other than the religious importance.
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