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The significance of Eid-ul-Fitr
By IMTIAZ ALI
Festivals or feasts are certain days or periods set apart for the celebration of some
event. Festivals are found in almost all religions, cultures and nations and are
associated with either elements of nature, individuals or events in the lives of
individuals, events in the evolution of a nation, athletics such as the Olympics or even
merrymaking as it is with Carnival.
The significance of a festival is a very subjective matter and can only be perceived,
understood and appreciated by the celebrants of the festival i.e. the people who
themselves identify with or mark the event. Christians, for example, are intimately
connected with Christmas but not with Divali nor any of the Eids and vice versa. To demand
otherwise would be tantamount to imposing one's religion on another.
Nevertheless, as a result of the declaration of various festivals as public holidays, the
need arises for people to at least be aware of the significance of the various festivals
that are marked as public holidays. Eid-ul-Fitr, being one of those festivals, is the
focus of this article.
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two festivals sanctioned by Islam, the other being Eid-ul-Adha.
"Eid" is an Arabic word which means "recurring happiness or
festivity"; "ul" is the definite article "the"; and
"Fitr" means "breaking of the fast". Eid-ul-Fitr, therefore, can be
translated to mean the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast".
References to Eid-ul-Fitr are not found in the Holy Qur'an. There are, however, several
authentic traditions (hadiths) attributed to Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace) which
shed light on its importance, form, content and activities related to it.
Anas, a companion of the Prophet (uwbp), narrated that when the Prophet migrated to
Madinah, he (the Prophet) noticed that the people there had set aside two days of the year
for festivities and sports. On his enquiry about the nature of these days he was informed
that in the pre-Islamic days the people used to have festivities and sports on these days.
There upon he said, "Allah has substituted these two days by two better days for you:
one, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr and the other, the day of Eid-ul-Adha." (Collected by Abu
Daud)
Eid-ul-Fitr occurs on the day immediately after the completion of the month of Ramadan,
the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which is also known as "the month of
fasting". The festival, therefore, is linked to the completion of one of the pillars
of Islam that is obligatory on all Muslims with some exceptions.
Other than total abstinence from all food, drink and sexual intercourse from the break of
dawn to sunset for the purpose of inculcating piety, the month of Ramadan embodies the
anniversary of the revelation of the Holy Qur'an, the performance of extra prayers in
congregation during the nights, regular reading of the Holy Quran, a limited and
controlled form of asceticism and night vigils in the mosque during the latter part of the
month, increased levels of charity and righteousness in general and the bonding of Muslims
internationally.
Eid-ul-Fitr, therefore, is the festival of a people who have chosen piety and submission
to Allah as their way of life. It is a festival of a people who seek the pleasure, mercy
and forgiveness of Allah and His company in the hereafter. It is the festival of a people
who believe in the unity of the human race, and empathise with and genuinely care about
the poor and under-privileged.
The form and content of the festival, therefore, are designed to nurture the achievement
of the mission of the celebrants.
Internationally, Eid-ul-Fitr begins with ablution, glorification of Allah, distribution of
charity, salutations and embraces, congregational prayer and a sermon. The prayer and the
sermon incorporate praises and supplications to Allah, and admonitions. Cultural
differences and preferences dictate the designs of clothing worn, types of meals prepared
and other activities including entertainment and music that lend an atmosphere of
happiness and festivity.
It should be noted that since Islam prohibits the consumption of intoxicants, the Eid is
devoid of intoxicants and their side effects. The Islamic rules governing the attire and
relations of both men and women further contribute towards creating an atmosphere free
from any indecencies.
To the Muslim, Eid-ul-Fitr is a wholesome celebration of a remarkable achievement in the
service of Allah. It is a day of thanksgiving and remembrance of Allah. It is a day of
forgiveness, moral victory and peace. It is a day of congregation, brotherhood and unity.
In Trinidad and Tobago, a predominantly non-Muslim society, the non-Muslim is not excluded
from Eid-ul-Fitr. Certainly, the public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr or in observance of
Eid-ul-Fitr is for the entire nation and not for Muslims alone. The print and electronic
media are replete with information on Eid-ul-Fitr, Ramadan and Islam in general, thereby
providing a means for non-Muslims to become more informed. Needy non-Muslims benefit from
charities and non-Muslims in general partake of traditional Eid dishes during visits to
Muslim friends. The opportunity exists for non-Muslims to attend the Eid
"services" in either mosques or in "open-air".
Eid Mubarak!
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