After a month-long, spiritual-laden engagement of fasting, it is natural that such divine obligation, especially for Muslims globally, is terminated in festivity. Although, each day of fasting, throughout the whole month is punctuated at the dusk, at the individual household level, with a form of mini-celebration, which is called Iftar, Eid-el-Fitr becomes grand finale of a sort underscoring the universality of Islam with almost 2 billion followers globally.
As a yearly rite marking the completion of fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of lunar calendar, Eid-el-Fitr is also regarded as a ‘graduation ceremony’ of the training in the “school of Ramadan” where Muslims “attended courses” in patience, perseverance, honesty, charity, generosity and the consciousness of the Almighty.
Expectedly, the values acquired during the training should become template of engagements in all activities throughout the year as Eid-el-Fitr creates the platform for Muslims to bask in an uncommon happiness particularly for their ability to connect with the Almighty and renew their covenant with Him.
Indeed, for a whole month, Muslim faithful globally engage in activities geared towards re-establishing their links with their creator as the holy month of Ramadan provides the opportunity to work for and imbue with the spiritual weapons without which life on this earth would be an extension of hell.
Among other lessons, Ramadan emboldens Muslims that, under no circumstance, shall they allow earthly principalities to pollute their souls; never shall they allow their prosperity to demean their spirituality; never shall the temporary adversity purblind the greater value in walking with the Almighty in the wilderness of this terrestrial life.
However, to “graduate” from the “school” of Ramadan is to arrive to a new station which is, in itself, the beginning of another journey for another station. In other words, the whole essence of life and living for the conscious Muslim is all about arrival and departure; we arrive from a religious duty in order to depart for another one. The Eid-el-Fitr therefore is equally not an end but another means towards the continuous journey of the Muslim in the making.
Thus, ahead of the Eid-el-fitr, the faithful are enjoined to prepare to observe the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. This includes the plan to wake up very early in the morning; observe the tahajjud – midnight prayer – (regularly observed during Ramadan and regarded as a virtue Muslims should endeavour to sustain after Ramadan), and in keeping with the Sunnah, taking a bath before Fajr prayers and putting on new clothes (or the best available) are meritorious deeds. It is sunnah for men to use perfume not only on Eid days but always. It is not allowed for Muslims to fast on this day. They are expected to take a light breakfast before setting out to the praying ground.
Again, it should be noted that it is in the tradition of the Prophet (SAW) that Muslims give out Sadaqat-ul-fitr preferably before the eid prayers are observed. It is usually paid for and on behalf of all Muslims in a household, the young and the old. It may be paid in kind and this may feature three to four seers of wheat, barley, rice or any staple food (Sahih Bukhari 24:70).
Lately, Muslim scholars have addressed the necessity of monetizing this act of worship based on existential necessities. At various Islamic centres across the country, announcement is regularly made of a certain amount of money to be paid by individuals in lieu of giving Sadaqat ul-Fitr out in kind. This falls under the legal rubric – maslahat al-Ammah – the promotion of the public convenience. Whether it is given out in cash or in kind, the more important issue is the intention behind the act.
The intention should be the extension of the happiness of the occasion to brethren who are experiencing adversity. The point is that those with wherewithal should desire for their brothers and sisters the same quality of life the like of which the Almighty has been kind to grant unto them.
But what is the best way to accomplish this? It has been suggested that it is better to give out Sadaqat ul-Fitr to Imams (heads of various mosques) who would and should, following Quran 9 verse 60, distribute same among the eight categories of people who qualify to receive Zakat. The logic behind this is the belief that acts of generosity stand better acceptance when they are given incognito; when Muslims give, like Ali ibn Abi Talib, in expectation of no appreciation. Muslims are enjoined to cultivate the habit of giving, in line with the Prophet’s advice, in such a way that the left hand would not know what the right-hand has handed out.
Another virtue is to set out early for the eid prayer ground. While going there, engagement in much glorification of The Almighty is recommended. Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. There is usually no Adhan (call to Prayer) or Iqamah (call) for the prayers because they are nawafil – superogatory prayers.
Listening to the khutbah (sermon) of eid is a necessary requirement (wajib). Thus, it is not proper, as is usually the case, for someone to leave the prayer ground while the khutbah is being delivered. It is equally forbidden to talk, walk about or offer prayer while the sermon is being delivered.
As Muslims celebrate the end of this year’s Ramadan, it is important that they constantly keep the virtues that the month has come to inculcate in them under focus. Have more empathy for the poor. Sustain the acts of worship which they engaged in during the month. Steadfastness, patience and perseverance should remain the watchwords. Ramadan came to call attention to the power of the spiritual realm; it came to take away the concern for the ephemeral for that which is eternal. Ramadan came to teach that the salvation here on earth and in the hereafter lies in how steady Muslims are in focusing on The Almighty; how grateful they are for His blessings, and how patient shall they continue to be when, as is occasionally the case, the tide of time becomes turbulent and troublesome.
Wishes all Muslim faithful happy and fulfilling Eid-el-Fitr.
Credit:The Guardian