EID THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

EID THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER Reminder of Life in Paradise A CCORDING to the Islamic tradition, there are two festivals observed by Muslims every year—Eid-ul-Fitr just after Ramazan and Eid-ul-Azha in the month of Haj. Eid-ul-Fitr literally means ‘festival of breaking the fast’. Like other festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr is a symbol of an important article of faith. It reminds one of an Islamic belief in the form of social practice. Muslims believe that human life is divided into two parts: the predeath period and the post-death period. One who follows divine commandments in the pre-death period will be rewarded in the postdeath period. Just before Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims keep a fast throughout the whole month of Ramazan. Fasting symbolises life in the present world in which Muslims follow God’s commandments. Eid-ul-Fitr denotes the reward that will be given by God Almighty in the Hereafter in return for our good deeds. Fasting in the month of Ramazan is not simply giving up food. In fact, it symbolises abstention from all kinds of practices that are unlawful in Islam. The Arabic word for fasting is ‘sawm’ which means abstinence. Abstaining from food and water in the daytime during Ramazan reminds Muslims that they have to lead their lives with a sense of responsibility. They have to remind themselves that, in the present world, they have to adopt a life of abstinence, taking something and leaving something. This is the true spirit of Ramazan. Then comes the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, a symbolic reminder of the fact that one who leads a responsible life in this world will be rewarded with a life of happiness in eternal Paradise. Eid-ul-Fitr also has a social connotation. On this day Muslims go out of their homes, offer a congregational prayer, meet their neighbours, exchange good wishes with other people and enjoy special food. All these activities are reminders of life in Paradise. Eid-ul-Fitr may be a Muslim festival, but Muslims, like other communities, live in a society, in a neighbourhood. This makes Eid-ul-Fitr automatically a social festival. Therefore, Muslims meet not only with their religious Eid-ul-Fitr denotes the reward that will be given by God Almighty in the Hereafter in return for our good deeds.