Eid Ul Fitar

Eid ul-Fitar, often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramazan, the holly month of fasting for the happiness of Allah Wabarik Talah. Eid is an Arabic word meaning \"festivity,\" while Fiṭar means \"breaking (the fast)\".

The night before Eid is called Chaand Raat, which means, \"Night of the Moon.\" Muslims in these countries will often visit bazaars and shopping malls with their families for Eid shopping. Women, especially younger girls, will often apply the traditional Mehndi, or henna, on their hands and feet and wear colourful bangles.

The traditional Eid greeting is Eid Mubarak, and it is frequently followed by a formal embrace. Gifts are frequently given — new clothes are part of the tradition — and it is also common for children to be given small sums of money (Eidi) by their elders. It is common for children to offer Salaam to parents and adult relatives.

After the Eid prayers, it is common for some families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members. It is also common to visit neighbours, family members, especially senior relatives and to get together to share sweets, snacks and special meals including some special dishes that are prepared specifically on Eid. Special celebratory dishes in Pakistan include sivayyan, a dish of fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk and dried fruit. 1

Eid is a symbol of peace, harmony, excitement, colours, sweets, bangles, happiness, culture and tradition. Eid for Muslims is a kind of reward after having one entire month in daytime fasting. The purpose of this exercise is mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an: \"So that you may learn restraint.\" (2:183)

The celebration of the festival of Eid Fitr is itself a model of a democratic Islamic society, and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) best explained this model by his personal example. It is reported that he used to wear a special dress to grace the occasion, but it was never a costly one and was always within the reach of everybody. Once Umar brought a costly dress for him requesting him to wear it on Eid days and other ceremonial occasions. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) immediately returned the dress observing that it did not behave a believer to wear such a costly dress. The result was that all the Companions dressed simply on this occasion and consequently this simplicity became a symbol of the Islamic society.

Nowadays the Muslims with great pomp and show celebrate Eid Fitr, but unfortunately its real spirit is ignored. That is why the present-day Muslim society age, instead of becoming a democratic one, has been divided into haves and have-nots. This state of affairs has not only robbed the majority of Muslims of their peace of mind, but has also converted them into the weakest nation of the world. Such a situation demands that steps be taken to celebrate this occasion of Eid Fitar in the same sprit as during the life of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).

In this way Muslims will be able to convert their present day society into an Islamic democratic one. It will prove beneficial for humanity as it proved so during the early periods of Islam with a message of peace.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Fitr