HARI RAYA EID UL - FITR

According to the Islamic tradition, it was in the year 610 AD that Prophet Muhammad, while meditating in Mount Hira one night

during the month of Ramadan, had a vision of the angel Jibril (also known as Gabriel) appearing before him telling his name to

Muhammad and declaring to the latter that he was the messenger of God. Jibril said to him : "Iqraa" (meaning "read" or "recite").

To this Muhammad replied that he could not read.

Jibril embraced Muhammad and after releasing him repeated: "Iqraa."

"I cannot read." Muhammad answered again.

Jibril hugged Muhammad for a third time and asked him to recite what he said. He told him:

"Recite in the name of your Lord Who creates. Creates man from a clot. Recite: And your Lord is the Most Bountiful Who teaches by

the pen, He teaches man what he does not know."

Though the angel informed him that he was the messenger of Allah and was going to be a prophet for his people, Muhammad was

greatly disturbed at his meeting with Jibril. It is believed that he at first considered the angel as an evil spirit. It was his wife Khadijah

who allayed his fears reminding him of his good conduct until then and that it was impossible for him to be visited by a demon. Even

her much learned old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal convinced him that he was indeed a messenger of God and the angel who visited

Muhammad was the one who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.

Muhammad was of forty years of age at this time.

In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who taught him the holy knowledge in verses. This

sacred knowledge consists of the code of conduct that Allah wants his people to maintain on earth. It is inscribed in verses which are

compiled in the holy Qur'an, the most sacred book in Islam.

It is said that the sacred knowledge was revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. As a mark of respect to Allah and to

show gratitude to him for the true knowledge that he gave to the people, the prophet asked his followers (and therefore the followers

of Islam) to pass the month of Ramadan in fasting, prayers and other austerities and end the month-long non-indulgence with festive

celebrations. This is how Eid-Ul-Fitr was born. This three-day long celebration ends the ninth month and begins the tenth month of

Shawwal with absolute happiness and contentment for the ability to sacrifice for Allah. The aim of this festival is to promote peace,

strengthen the feeling of brotherhood and bring oneself back to the normal course of life after a month-long period of self-denial and

religious devotion. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated for three days. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Eid

Mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘eed ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings based on local language

and traditions – in Turkey, for example, a typical saying might beBayramınız kutlu olsun or "May your Bayram – Eid – be blessed."

Muslims are also encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences or past animosities that may have occurred with others

during the year.

Typically, Muslims wake up relatively early in the morning—always before sunrise— offer Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and

in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or toothbrush, take a

shower (Ghusul) after Fajr prayers, put on new clothes (or the best available), and apply perfume.[4]

It is haraam, or forbidden, to fast on the Day of Eid.[5] That is why it is recommended to have a small breakfast (as a sign of not being

on a fast on that day) of sweet dish, preferably the date fruit, before attending the special Eid prayer (salah). It is a Sunnah (Prophetic

tradition) that the Sadaqat-ul-fitr, an obligatory charity, is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid prayer by all

those adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat.[6] Muslims recite the following Takbir (incantation) in the low voice while going

to the Eid prayer: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha ilal-lahu wal-Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa-lilla hil hamd.
[7]
Another Sunnah of Muhammad Muslims are recommended to use two separate routes to and from the prayer grounds (Eid-gaah).[8]

Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. No adhan (Call to Prayer)

or iqama (call) is to be pronounced for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two rakaʿāt (units of prayer) with an additional six

Takbirs. The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua) asking for God's forgiveness, mercy, peace

and blessings for all living beings across the world. The khutbah also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as

the zakat.[9] Listening to the khutbah (sermon) of Eid is a necessary requirement (wajib) i.e. while the khutbah is being delivered; it

is haraam(prohibited) to talk, walk about or offer prayer while the sermon is being delivered.[10] After the prayers, Muslims visit their

relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centers or rented halls. Eedis (Eid

gifts) are frequently given to children and immediate relatives; it is also common in some cultures for children to be given small sums

of money (Eidis) by adult relatives or friends. Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This has to do with the

communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community; i.e., empathy for the poor, charity,

worship, etc. Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm,

while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm.