Spirit of Islam, May-June 2021

E ID-UL-FITR means ‘festival or celebration of breaking the fast’. It is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Muslims are not permitted to fast on the day of Eid. Eid-ul-Fitr has a particular salat (Islamic prayer) that consists of two rakats (units) generally performed in an open field or large hall. Eid-u-Fitr, though a part of Islam, does not find mention in the Quran. The mention and details of this festival are to be found in the corpus of Hadith literature. According to a Hadith of the Prophet of Islam, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of reward, that is, the reward for fasting during the month of Ramadan. In this way, the day of Eid becomes a day of joy—a day when Muslims thank God for His blessings. Fasting has been enjoined on Muslims during the month of Ramadan. The training, spiritual insights and the lessons that the Muslims have learned from the Quran during this month must be applied throughout the year. The feelings of thanksgiving, piety, peace necessitate Muslims to live as peaceful members of their society. Besides, it is also their responsibility to inculcate among other members of the society that peace is the basis for all kinds of development. It creates an atmosphere of positive living for the individual, society and nation. All kinds of development are possible in an environment of peace. Islam being a religion of peace in the full sense, we find that today the image of Islam has become one of a violent religion. It is therefore high time that Muslims resolve on the day of Eid to strive to change this distorted image of Islam. Muslims must convey to the world that the teachings of Islam are wholly based on peace. Charity begins from home. As such, Muslims should, first of all, decide to abstain from all such activities as disrupt the atmosphere of peace in society; they should sedulously refrain from reacting to provocative situations, and must adopt the path of patience in all circumstances. According to Islam, happiness is for one who fulfils his duties. On the day of Eid, every Muslim must take the pledge that he would fulfill his responsibilities towards his fellow beings. EID-UL-FITR A Day of Spiritual Reckoning