Eid ul-Fitr
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The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر), often abbreviated as simply Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family gets up very early and attends special prayers held only for the occasion in big mosques, in large open areas, stadiums or arenas. The festivities and merriment start after the prayers with visits to the homes of friends and relatives and thanking the Creator for all blessings. Eid is a time to come together as a community and to renew friendship and family ties. This is a time for peace for all Muslims in the world to devote to prayers and mutual well-being.
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Timing
This holiday follows the month of Ramadan, falling on the first day of Shawwal (the tenth month in the Islamic calendar). As with all months in the Islamic calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon. For this reason there may be regional differences in the exact date of Eid, with some Muslims fasting for 29 days and some for 30 days.
Eid ul-Fitr commemorates the end of the month of Ramadan. Fasting is forbidden on this day as it marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. A Muslim is encouraged to rise early and partake of some dates or a light, sweet snack, significant because for the past 30 days they have abstained from all food and drink from dawn till dusk. It may come as a surprise to many non-Muslims, but many people feel a sense of loss or sadness at the passing of Ramadan.
Traditions and Practices
Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes, new if possible, and to attend a special Eid prayer that is performed in congregation at mosques or open areas like fields, squares etc. Before the prayer the congregation recites the Takbiir:
- Allahu akbarullahu, akbarullahu akbar
- la illaha illa Allah,
- Allahu akbarullahu, akbar
- w'al i'llah h'ilhamd
- God is Greatest, God is Greatest, God is Greatest
- There is no deity but [the One] God
- God is Greatest, God is Greatest
- and to Him goes all praise
The Takbiir is recited after confirmation that the moon of Shawwal is sighted on the eve of the last day of Ramadan. It continues until the start of the Eid prayer. Before the Eid prayer begins every Muslim (man, women or child) must pay Zakat al Fitr, an alms for the month of Ramadan. This equates to about 2 kg of a basic foodstuff (wheat, barley, dates, raisins, etc.), or its cash equivalent, and is (typically) collected at the mosque. This is distributed by the mosque to needy local Muslims prior to the start of the Eid prayer. It can be given anytime during the month of Ramadan and is often given early, so the recipient can utilise it for Eid purchases. This is distinct to Zakat based on their wealth which must be paid to a worthy charity. This is calculated at 2.5% of their wealth.
The Eid prayer (solah) is followed by the khutba (sermon) and then a prayer (dua') asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for the plight of Muslims across the world. It is then customary to embrace the persons sitting on either side of you as well as your relatives, friends and acquaintances.
Children are normally given gifts or money. Women (particularly relations) are normally given special gifts by their loved ones. Eid is also the time for reconcilliations. Feuds or disputes, especially between family members, are often settled on Eid.
Eid ul-Fitr in Indonesia
In Indonesian the feast is named Idul Fitri. Sometimes, there are different statements on when the day falls, especially between Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, because people use different techniques to determine it. Almost all of the people follows the government of Indonesia's statement and the different times have never sparked any riots or protests. This event is recognized as national holiday and starts a few days before Idul Fitri and lasts some days after it. Schools also have different schedule for the holiday as many Islamic schools usually make it a longer holiday.
Another Idul Fitri tradition in Indonesia is mudik that usually applies to urbans who came to Jakarta from Java or other islands in Indonesia. Before Idul Fitri comes, people will go back to their hometowns where their relatives, sometimes including their parents, reside. This event often causes crowding in airports, seaports, and bus stations while some who are travelling by car are trapped in the traffic jam for hours. For little children, asking for money as well as forgiveness from relatives is common to motivate them. Many, especially in the cities, also use the term angpau for the money just like Chinese people do.
Eid ul-Fitr in the USA
American Muslims in the USA typically celebrate the day in a quiet way. Because the day depends on the sighting of the moon, often families are not aware that the next day will be Eid until the night before. Most check with members of the community to see if the moon has been sighted by anyone. Different methods for determining the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal are used in each particular community. Because the day is determined by the natural phenomenon of sighting the cresent moon, the East Coast of the USA may celebrate Eid on a different day than the West Coast of the USA.
The cresent moon can be sighted directly, or the sighting can be determined based on scientific calculations. Typically when the determination is made in each community about which meathod is to be used, the end of Ramadan is announced accordingly via e-mail, postings on websites or chain phone calls to all members of a community. Usually working people make arrangements for a lighter work day on the days that may possibly be the Eid day. But many American Muslims cannot take the whole day off. A typical Muslim family in the USA will wake up very early in the morning and have a small breakfast. Getting ready often consists of getting dressed in fancy clothing for those who are off all day, and work clothing for those who cannot have the day off.
Next the family will go to the nearest congregational prayer. The prayer may be held at the local mosque, hotel ballroom, arena or stadium. The prayer is often lead by a lay person in the community who is respected because of his character and breadth of knowledge of Islam. Often these prayers are held in shifts. The first prayer at 7 am the second at 9 am and the third at 11 am. After prayers, the Muslims disperse. Some have to go to work, others have the day off and spend the time visiting friends and family. Many Muslim families have Eid ul Fitr open houses on that day. Muslim children who attend public school often take the day off and spend it with members of the family who are able to take the day off. The day is spent thanking the Creator for all our blessings.
Because American Muslims come from all parts of the world, not any one particular food is served on that day. Muslims believe that all blessing come from God, but each family typically has a feast with foods of their particular heritage. For example, an American-Indian-Muslim family would have traditional Indian food, whereas and African-American-Muslim family would have a roast with the sides and a Chinese-American-Muslim family would have Chinese-American food. An intermarried family with many different cultures would have food from both cultures on that day. Often a Muslim American family will visit the homes of friends of many heritages on that day. A typical Muslim family may have an Asian breakfast, an Indian lunch and an Irish dinner all in one day.
Eid ul-Fitr in Malaysia
In Malaysia, it is also commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Where Hari Raya actualy means Day of Celebration. Muslims in Malaysia celebrate Eid like any other muslims throughout the world. The night before Eid will be filled with the takbiir which is held in the masjids or musollahs. In some community, there will be congregation reciting the takbiir from house to house.
Eid also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of the muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is what is known as Balik Kampung - literally going back to home town to celebrate Eid with parents.
It is customary for Malays to wear traditional malay costumes on the Eid. The dress for men is aptly called baju melayu while the women's are known as baju kurung. In recent years, robes, adopted from Arabic tradition and culture, are added to the traditional attires for Eid. It is also common to see non-Malay muslims wear costumes of their culture - Indian Muslims can be seen wearing traditional Indian costumes, while it is common for American-Malaysian Muslims to wear Western clothes to mosques on the morning of Eid.
Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the grave of their loved ones. During this visit, they will clean the grave, perform the recital of the Surah Yaa Sin and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these done in hope that their loved ones are blessed by Allah and they are spared from the punishment in the grave.
The rest of the day is spent visiting their relatives, or serve visitors on that day. Eidul Fitri is a very joyous day for children for this is the day where adults are extra generous. Children will be given token in the form of money, also known as "duit raya" from their parents or elders.
Eid ul-Fitr in India and Pakistan
In Pakistan the celebration the night before Eid is called Chand Raat, or night of the moon. Women often cheer and paint each other with henna tattoos. One of the special dishes in India, Pakistan and Fiji is savayya, a dish of fine, toasted vermicelli noodles.
Eid ul-Fitr in Iran
In the predominately Shia culture of Iran, Eid is a highly personal event, and celebrations are often more muted. Typically, each Muslim family gives food to those in need. Often meat or ghorbani, which is an expensive food item in Iran, will be given by those in wealthier families to those who have less. Payment of fitria is obligatory for each Muslim. The tradition in many families holds that for each member of your household on the day of Eid, one person outside of your family needs to be fed. Many Iranian families have chelo kabab, which is skewered meat served with white rice, grilled tomatoes, herbs and yougurt on that day. Thanking God for all blessings is top on the list of activities for the day. Unfortunately, the formal Eid prayer is not performed by the majority of Muslims on that day. The day is a national holiday. So most people spend the day at home or visiting family or going for outings in the areas around the big cities.
Eid ul-Fitr in the Gregorian Calendar
While Eid ul-Fitr is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year due to differences between the two calendars, since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. Furthermore, the method used to determine when each Islamic month begins varies from country to country. (For details, please see Islamic calendar.) All future dates listed below are only estimates:
- 2005: 4 November
- 2006: 24 October
- 2007: 13 October
- 2008: 1 October
- 2009: 21 September
- 2010: 10 September
- 2011: 31 August
Eid-ul-Fitr officially begins the night before each of the above dates, at sunset.
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| Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha | |||||||||||
