Eid-ul-Fitr, culmination of the month-long fasting and abstinence

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media network

10 September 2010:  The month-long fast, abstinence and charity during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan culminate on Friday, 10th September 2010 with the celebration of the feast known as Eid-ul-Fitr. ‘Eid’ in the Arabic language means ‘festivity’ and ‘fitr’ means ‘breaking fast’. Hence, Eid-ul-Fitr means the celebration of breaking fast after completing the fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.  Eid-ul-Fitr festival is the most important occasions of Islamic calendar. This festival is celebrated by Muslim community all over the world with great devotion and joy. 

It was during the holy month of Ramadan the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet.  Thus, during this month, the Muslim community is advised to fast, pray do charity and abstain from worldly pleasures. It is believed that the last ten days of the month of Ramadan are the holiest. On the 27th evening, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (Night of Power) with the belief that on this day in 610 AD, the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet providing guidance, teaching, direction to all and also judging between wrong and right. Moreover this day is believed to have influenced the course of the year.

 During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk on every day of the month. Before the daybreak, the Muslims have the meal known as ‘sahr’ and the fast is broken in the evening with light food such as fruits and juices which is known ‘iftar’.  During the whole day, one does not eat or drink anything, including water, and has to offer prayers at least five times a day. During this month, besides fasting, the Muslims  are advised to abstain from quarrels, lies, entertainment and pleasures. Fasting has been believed to have a number of spiritual and physical benefits. Fasting teaches patience and humility, purifies the soul and body and manifests that man is not the slave of his desires and cravings. Whenever the fast is broken, it is done not by heavy meal but with light meals such as fruits and liquids.

It is also said that fasting makes one to realise the scourge of hunger and helps to develop a sense of concern for the hungry and needy people. This in turn teaches Muslims to do charity during the month of Ramadan. It is believed that the person’s fasting is complete only when he does charity known as Zakat-e-fitr.

On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr offering the namaz is compulsory for all believers. Men offer this namaz at ‘idgah’ or any chosen open place and women usually pray at home. Following the namaz people exchange greetings. 

Any festival in any community means celebration, joy and happiness. Hence, new clothes and tasty and sumptuous food has been an integral part of the  festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Shops display every kind of new dress and eateries dish out varieties of tasty food items. Various traditional sweets are prepared on this day including sweet semiya or vermicelli. Delicious dishes like semiya payasam,  kheer prepared from milk are distributed among friends and relatives in social get together. Besides these, Eid-ul-Fitr cannot be complete without the whole gourmet of Mughlai delicacies.

Bellevision wishes Happy Eid-ul-Fitr to all our Muslim brethren.