How to Celebrate Eid-al Fitr: Rules Concerning Eid-al Fitr

The new Islamic month starts from the sighting of the moon. The month of Shawwal is started after Ramadan in which Eid-al Fitr celebrated. Eid should be celebrated after the sighting of the moon of Shawwal. It is celebrated on 1st of Shawwal. And if the moon is not sighted, then thirty days of Ramadan should be completed to celebrate Eid-al Fitr. Eid al-Fitr translates from Arabic as, ‘the festival of the breaking of the fast’.

The celebration of Eid-al Fitr traditionally takes place over a three-day period. The festival of Eid holds great importance in Islam and for Muslims because it is a time to get together with loved ones and communities to come together. Eid-al Fitr traditionally starts with Eid prayer followed by a short sermon. After performing the Eid prayer, Muslims wish those around them a happy Eid. After that people visit relatives, friends and sometimes graveyards to pray for their dead ones.

Many people wear traditional clothes, give gifts or money to children known as Eidi, and also give charity to the poor and needy people so that they can also celebrate the festival of Eid. The days of the Eid are the days of joy and happiness, and these days are described for some acts of worship, special practices, and traditions.

The celebrations of Eid-al Fitr are a perfect occasion when being charitable can lead to others being happy and joyful. In this regard of spreading happiness to less fortunate, Islam gives the concept of Zakat-ul Fitr. Zakat-al Fitr is alms giving that have to pay before offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. The right time for paying this Zakat -al Fitr is between the Fajr and Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. However, the Zakat-al Fitr can also be offered during the month of Ramadan so that the less fortunate can have time to buy necessary things with which they can celebrate their Eid in a better way. Muslim must consider this Sadqah-tul-Fitr as an obligatory act related to the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr and offer it before the Eid prayer.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of abundance, not just abundant food but Gifts are often given, especially to children. Other than this Muslims celebrate this festival with friends and family by visiting them. Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak” which means “Have a blessed Eid!” It is pretty common Eid greetings of Muslims. Eid greeting also varies depending on the country and language. Other variations of Happy Eid are “Mutlu Bayramlar” in Turkish, “Selamat Lebaran” in Indonesia and “Barka da Sallah” in Hausa, a Nigerian language, and many others.

May Almighty Allah accept our fasts and prayers of the Holy month of Ramadan and make this Eid the blessed one for all of us. Ameen!