The 2010 Eid ul-Fitr (also spelt Eid al-Fitr) is on the 9th of September. Eid is the last day of Ramadan, or the 1st day when the Shawwal crescent of
the moon is visible.
Thus Eid ul-Fitr (1 Shawwal 1431) is a time when
Muslims who have fasted during Ramadan celebrate with a feast.
May Allah accept [the good deeds] from me and you.
Eid ul-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the
end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word
meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "to break fast"; and so the holiday
symbolises the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated after the
end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.
Eid ul-Fitr lasts for three days of celebration [depending on the
country] and is sometimes also known as the "Smaller Eid" as compared to the
Eid al-Adha that lasts three days [or more] following the Hajj, later on in
the year, and is casually referred to as the "Greater Eid".
Muslims are commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last
day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid.
Eid is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with
family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. Before
the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family
gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of
actual food: rice, barley, dates, rice, to ensure that the needy can have a
holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as
sadaqah al-fitr [charity of fast-breaking].
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor
locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon
followed by a short congregational prayer. After the Eid prayer, Muslims
usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts [especially
to children], and make 'phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes
for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days.
In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official
government and school holiday.
Once, it is said the people of Islamabad invited Mulla Abdul-Razzaq to
deliver a speech at Eid. When he got on the pulpit [Minbar], he found the
audience was not very enthusiastic, so he asked, 'Do you know what I am
going to say?'
The audience replied 'No', so he announced, 'I have no desire to speak to
people who don't even know what I will be talking about,' and he left.
The people felt embarrassed and called him back again the next day. This
time when he asked the same question, the people replied 'Yes', So Abdul-Razzaq
said, 'Well, since you already know what I am going to say, I won't waste
any more of your time', and he left.
Now the people were really perplexed. They decided to try one more time
and once again invited the Mulla to speak on the 3rd day of Eid. Once again
he asked the same question, 'Do you know what I am going to say?' Now the
people were prepared and so half of them answered 'Yes', while the other
half replied 'No'.
So Mulla Abdul-Razzaq said, 'The half who know what I am going to say,
tell it to the other half', and he left!
ф
The Prayer
One hot day during Ramadan, Mulla Mubarak was taking it easy in the shade
of a walnut tree. After a time, he started eyeing speculatively, the huge
pumpkins growing on vines and the small walnuts growing on a majestic tree.
'Sometimes I just can't understand the ways of God.' He mused. 'Just
fancy letting tiny walnuts grow on so majestic a tree and huge pumpkins on
the delicate vines.'
Just then a walnut snapped off and fell "bump" on Mulla Mubarak's bald
head. He got up at once and lifting up his hands and face to heavens in
supplication, said, 'Oh, my God. Forgive my questioning your ways. You are
all-wise. Where would I have been now, if pumpkins grew on trees.'
»
What is Life?
Abdul Haqq and his father, Saleem, were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, Abdul Haqq falls, hurts himself and scream, '"Aaahhhhhhhhhhh.'
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain,
'Aaahhhhhhhhhhh.' Curious, Abdul Haqq yells, 'Who are you?'
He receives the answer, 'Who are you?' And then he screams to the
mountain, 'I admire you.'
The voice answers, 'I admire you.' Angered at the response, Abdul Haqq
screams, 'Coward.' He receives the answer, 'Coward.'
He looks to Saleem, his father, and asks, 'What's going on?' The
father smiles and says, 'My son, pay attention.'
Once more Saleem bellows, 'You are a champion.' The voice answers,
'You are a champion.' Abdul Haqq is surprised, but does not understand.
Then Saleem explains, 'People call this echo, but really this is life. It
gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of
our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your
heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will
give you back everything you have given to it.'
Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you.
The Car: A Salutary, Modern Morality Tale for All Religions
Hussein, a young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many
months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and
knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father
had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father
called him into his private study.
His father told Hussein how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told
him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a
lovely, leather-bound Noble Qur'an. Angrily, young man raised his voice at
his father and said, 'With all your money you give me a Noble Qur'an?' and
stormed out of the house, leaving the Noble Qur'an.
Hussein never contacted his father again for long, long, time. Many years
passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful
home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought
perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before Hussein could make arrangements to visit, he received a telegram
telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to
his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When the Hussein arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret
filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and saw
the still new Noble Qur'an, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he
opened the Noble Qur'an and began to turn the pages. As he Read those words,
a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Noble Qur'an. It had a
tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had
desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words 'paid in
full'.
There are a number of special days, Will and Guy have discovered, during
the month of Ramadan which are considered particularly special. Since Islam
is a worldwide religion not all Muslim countries follow the same
celebrations or traditions. Fasting is appropriate but different countries
may have differing practices.
Battle of Badr: This was a key battle in
the year 625 CE and which occurred on the 17th of Ramadan
Retaking of
Mecca: On the 19th of Ramadan in the year 630 CE it is believed that
Muhammad managed to return and retake the city of Mecca from his opponents.
Deaths: A number of important deaths occurred during the month of
Ramadan: Muhammad's first wife, Khadija (10th) and both Ali and the eight
Shiite Imam, Ali Reza (21st).
Births: A number of important births also occurred during the month of
Ramadan: Hussein (6th), who was later martyred and Ali (22nd).
Laylat ul-Qadr: This literally means "the night of power," and is
celebrated on one of the last ten days during the month of Ramadan, but
always on an odd numbered day. Tradition holds that on this night, the
prayers of a sincere and devout Muslim are sure to be answered because it is
believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. Many
Muslims also believe that, on this night, the tree of Paradise is shaken and
the names of all those who will die in the coming year can be found on the
fallen leaves.
Footnote Will and Guy are keen to learn more about
Eid ul-Fitr, so please send us your stories and interesting information.
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