Eid means ‘happiness’ the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is one of great happiness and celebration and do remember, when your arms can’t reach people close to your heart to give them a hug, you can always show them you love them with your prayers and good wishes.
On this occasion in prayers people should have remember victims of the PIA PK-8303 plane crash and 1,000 people who have died of COVID-19 in the country.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid ul-Fitr or ‘Meethi Eid’ marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, kindness and good deeds. It is an important religious holiday for Muslims and when they are not permitted to fast.
Eid also marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal, which starts with a feast to end the period of the month-long fasting. Some Muslims, however, do observe six days of fasting during Shawwal (the day after Eid) as this period is considered equivalent to fasting all year round.
Significance of Eid al-Fitr
It is a belief that good deeds are rewarded 10 times in Islam and hence the 30-day fasting period of Ramazan brings peace, harmony and prosperity to all those who believe and devote themselves to the religious cause.
The best thing about Eid-ul-Fitr is that citizens are motivated to do a good endeavor and are generous about serving those who are less fortunate than themselves.
Moreover, the injunction that a percentage of yearly earnings be given for charity (zakat) several people go a step advance and donate to orphanages, NGO’s which run on public donations and other organizations which support the deprived and disabled in the society.
History
It is widely believed that Prophet Muhammad got the first revelation of the Holy Quran during the holy month of Ramazan. Eid al-Fitr marked the end of fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramazan and the beginning of the Shawwal month.
Eid al-Fitr is also celebrated to pay respect to Allah for providing strength and endurance during the month-long fasting rituals.
Celebrations
Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid al-Fitr by taking part in prayers that are followed by a sermon soon after dawn. The day continues with devotees wearing new clothes, exchanging greetings by saying “Eid Mubarak”, which means “have a blessed Eid”, and also distributing sweets.
Children receive gifts and money from elders which is called Eidi. The day is incomplete without a widespread food menu containing a variety of dishes including Biryani, Haleem, Nihari, kebabs and a dessert like Seviyan. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat or giving alms to the poor is also practised on Eid.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2020
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, special care was taken to ensure Eid congregations were held at open places, mosques and Eidgahs in all major cities and towns while following strict standard operating procedures of social distancing and other precautionary steps.
Special prayers were offered for the well-being of the country while in sermons the prayer leaders highlighted the importance and philosophy of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The main Eid congregation was held at the Faisal Mosque where top government officials and envoys of Muslim countries offered Eid prayers along with others in the federal capital.
Special prayers
Tomorrow is another day and who knows what it will bring, so here’s wishing your Eid celebration is full of warmth and fun. May this day bring peace, happiness and prosperity to each and every one.
With special prayers for those who perished in the ill-fated crash or those who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
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