The Festival Of Eid

THE FESTIVAL OF EID T he tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Islam started after the Hijrah. When the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he observed that the locals held two annual festivals, marked by entertainment and sport. He told them that God had granted the Muslim community two better days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 1134). And thus, the Muslim celebration of these two festivals began. Eid al-Fitr comes immediately after the end of Ramadan ends. That’s why it’s called the day of reward. During Ramadan, believers abstain from eating and drinking for a whole month. Now, on the day of Eid, they are free to eat and drink. So, Ramadan is the month of action, and Eid is the day they receive the reward for their efforts. The beginning of Eid takes place with the sighting of the new moon. On the last day of Ramadan, all eyes look toward the sky. As soon as the new moon of Shawwal is seen, people say a prayer: O God, make this rising moon a moon of peace, safety, and obedience to You for us. Make this month a month of Your special mercy for us.