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Date Posted: 00:41:06 02/11/16 Thu
Author: robin
Subject: Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر‎ ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, IPA: [ʕiːd al fitˤr], "festival of breaking of the fast"), also called Breaking the Fast Feast, the Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), the Sweet Festival or Hari Raya Puasa[3] and the Lesser Eid, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. However, in most countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

Eid al-Fitr has a particular Salat (Islamic prayer) consisting of two Rakats (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall. It may be performed only in congregation (Jama’at) and has an additional extra six Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying "Allāhu Akbar", literally "Allah is greatest"), three of them in the beginning of the first raka'ah and three of them just before Ruku' in the second raka'ah in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.[4] Other Sunni schools usually have twelve Takbirs, seven in the first, and five at the beginning of the second raka'ah. This Eid al-Fitr salat is, depending on which juristic opinion is followed, Fard فرض (obligatory), Mustahabb مستحب (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory) or mandoob مندوب (preferable).

Muslims believe that they are commanded by Allah, as mentioned in the Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan[5] and pay the Zakat and fitra before offering the Eid prayers.

Names
Alternative terms

Eid al-Fitr goes by various alternative terms in English, including:

Fastbreaking Eid
Sweet Festival
Ramadan feast
Feast of Fasting
Bajram
Lesser Eid
Smaller Eid
Small Eid
Minor feast
Eid al-Saghir
Sugar Feast

Native terms

Acehnese - Uroë Raya Puasa Rojar Eid ("Feast of Fasting")
Albanian - Fitër Bajrami, Bajrami i madh ("Greater Feast")
Arabic - عيد الفطر Eid Al-Fitr
Azerbaijani - Ramazan Bayramı, Orucluq Bayramı
Bambara - Seli, Selinicinin ("Lesser Seli")
Bengali - রোজার ঈদ, ঈদুল ফিতর / Rozar Eid, Eid Ul-Fitr
Bosnian - Ramazanski bajram ("Ramadan Feast"), Mali Bajram ("Lesser Feast")
Bulgarian - Рамазан Байрам / Ramazan Bayram
Chinese - 开斋节 / Kāi zhāi jié
Croatian - Ramazanski bajram ("Ramadan Feast")
Dutch - Suikerfeest ("Sugar Feast")
Filipino - Wakas ng Ramadan, Araw ng raya, Lebaran, Hari Raya Buka Puasa, Pagtatapos ng Pag-aayuno
French (esp. Senegal & Mali) - Korité (from Wolof)
German - Ramadanfest, Zuckerfest (Ramadan Feast, Sugar Feast)
Greek - Μπαϊράμι (Bairami, from Turkish Bayram)
Hausa - Sallah, Karamar Sallah ("small Sallah")
Hebrew - עיד אל-פיטר
Hindi - ईद उल-फ़ित्र ("Eid Mubarak")
Indonesian - Hari Raya Idul Fitri, Hari Lebaran
Javanese - Riyadin Pitrah (polite), Riyaya Pitrah; Lebaran; Idul Fitri, Ngaidul Fitri, Ngidil Fitri
Kazakh - Ораза айт / Oraza ait
Kurdish - جێژنی ڕەمەزان / Cejna Remezanê
Kyrgyz - Orozo Mayram
Macedonian - Рамазан Бајрам
Maghrebi Arabic - عيد الصغير / 'Id as-Saghir ("Lesser Eid")
Malay - Hari Raya Aidilfitri ("Day of celebrating Eid al-Fitr"), Hari Raya Puasa ("Day of Celebrating End of Fasting"), Hari Lebaran
Malayalam - ചെറിയ പെരുന്നാ��� / Ceṟiya perunāḷ
Maldivian - ފިތުރު އީދު / Fithuru Eid
Mandinka - Korité
Minangkabau - Hari Rayo
Montenegrin - Ramazanski Bajram
Pashto - کمکی اختر / Kamkay Akhtar ("Lesser Feast"); کوچنی اختر / Kočnay Akhtar; وړوکی اختر / Warrukay Akhtar
Persian - عید فطر / Eyd-e Fetr
Portuguese - Celebração do fim do jejum
Russian - Ураза-Байрам (Uraza Bayram)[6]
Serbian - Рамазански бајрам
Sindhi - Ramzan wari Eid (روزن واري عيد)
Somali - Ciid Yare
Spanish - Fiesta de la ruptura del ayuno
Sundanese - Boboran Siyam
Swahili - Sikukuu ya Idi, Sikukuu ya Mfunguo Mosi
Tamil - நோன்பு பெருநாள் / Nōṉpu perunāḷ
Thai language - วันอีด / Wạn xīd / Eid-Al fitr
Tatar - Ураза байрам / Uraza bayram
Turkish - Ramazan Bayramı ("Ramadan Feast"), Şeker Bayramı
Turkmen - Oraza baýramy
Urdu - چھوٹی عید / Choṭī ʿĪd—Smaller Eid ; میٹھی عید / Mīṭhī ʿĪd—Sweet Eid; عیدُ الفطر / ʿĪdu l-Fit̤r—Eid of breaking the fast
Uzbek - Ҳайит(ингиз) Муборак / Hayit(ingiz) Muborak (Happy Eid)
Uyghur - روزا ھېيت / Rozi Heyt
Zarma - Jingar Keyna ("Lesser Feast")



Main article: Islamic calendar § Astronomical considerations

Traditionally, it is the day (beginning at sunset) of the first sighting of the crescent moon shortly after sunset. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then it is the following day.
History

Before the advent of Islam in Arabia, there is mention of festivals as well as some others among the Arabs. The Israelites had festivals as well, some directly prescribed in the Old Testament and others commemorating important days of their history.

Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is observed on the first of the month of Shawwal at the end of the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims undergo a period of fasting.[7]

According to certain traditions, these festivals were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from Mecca. Anas reports:

When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they used to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked them about the nature of these festivities at which they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two days [of festivity] instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha[8]

For Muslims, both the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are occasions for showing gratitude to Allah and remembering Him, and are an occasion of entertainment. ‘Aishah narrates that when on an Eid day her father Abu Bakr stopped young girls from singing, Muhammad said: Abu Bakr! [Let them sing]; every nation has an ‘id and [this day] is our Eid.
General rituals
See also: Eid cuisine

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Eid Mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘īd ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings in the local language – in Turkey, for example, a typical saying might be Bayramınız kutlu olsun or "May your Bayram – Eid – be blessed." Muslims are also encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with others or animosities that may have occurred during the year.

Typically, practising Muslims wake up early in the morning—always before sunrise— offer Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad clean their teeth with a toothbrush, take a shower before prayers, put on new clothes (or the best available), and apply perfume.[9]

It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid. It is customary to acknowledge this with a small sweet breakfast, preferably of date (fruit), before attending a special Eid prayer (known as salaat).

As an obligatory act of charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy (Arabic: Sadaqat-ul-fitr) before performing the ‘Eid prayer.[10] The following list contains some general rituals:

To show happiness
To give as much charity as is possible
To pray Fajr in the local Masjid
To go early for Eid salaat
To read the takbirat in an open field.
Go to the Eid prayer on foot
While at the open field/praying area, same rules apply as the mosque, nl. do not speak one word other than words that remember Allah or any Islamic terms during the Imam's lecture as well as before and after Eid Salaat. You can speak once you've left the Masjid, or mosque or any other place you were praying.
Say Eid Mubarak to other Muslims
Muslims recite the following incantation in a low voice while going to the Eid prayer: Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar. Lā ilāha illà l-Lāh wal-Lāhu akbar, Allahu akbar walil-Lāhi l-ḥamd. Recitation ceases when they get to the place of Eid or once the Imam commences activities.[11]
Muslims are recommended to use separate routes to and from the prayer grounds

Eid prayer and eidgah
Further information: Eidgah

The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centres, etc. or at mosques. No call to prayer is given for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two units of prayer with an additional six incantations. The Eid prayer is followed by the sermon and then a supplication asking for Allah's forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living beings across the world. The sermon also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat.[13] Listening to the sermon at Eid is not required and is optional, a Sunnah i.e. while the sermon is being delivered. After the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centres or rented halls.

Eid gifts, known as Eidi, are frequently given at eid to children and immediate relatives.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community; e.g., empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, patience etc. Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm. It also teaches a Muslim to stay away from worldly desires and to focus entirely on the Lord and thank Him for his blessings. It is a rejuvenation of the religion and it creates a stronger bond between the Muslim and his Lord.[14]
Practices by country
Middle East
Saudi Arabia

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with great pomp in Saudi Arabia. Saudis decorate their homes and prepare sumptuous meals for family and friends.

Eid festivities in Saudi Arabia may vary culturally depending on the region, but one common thread in all celebrations is of generosity and hospitality. First, it is common Saudi tradition for families to gather at the patriarchal home after the Eid prayers. Before the special Eid meal is served, young children will line up in front of each adult family member, who dispense money as gifts to the children. Family members will also typically have a time where they will pass out gift bags to the children. These bags are often beautifully decorated and contain candies and toys.

Many shopkeepers will show their generosity at Eid providing free Eid gifts with each purchase. For example, during Eid, many of the chocolate shops will give each customer who buys a selection of candies a free crystal candy dish with their purchase.

In the spirit of Eid, many Saudis go out of their way to show their kindness and generosity. It is common for even complete strangers to greet one another at random, even by occupants of vehicles waiting at stop lights. Sometimes even toys and gifts will be given to children by complete strangers.

It is also traditional in some areas for Saudi men to go and buy large quantities of rice and other staples and then leave them anonymously at the doors of those who are less fortunate. Also, in some areas in the middle of Saudi Arabia, such as Al Qassim, it's a common tradition that during Eid morning and after the Eid prayer people will put large rugs on one of streets of their neighbourhood and each household will prepare a large meal where these meals will be shared by all neighbours, it's also a common practice that people will swap places to try more than one kind of meal.

In the major cities in Saudi Arabia, every night there are huge fireworks shows.[

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