“Festival of Breaking the Fast” is one of the famous Islamic festivals observed by Muslims all over the world. Eid-al-Fitr or Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two Eids (1st Eid) celebrated by Muslims in the Islamic lunar year.
Why is Eid-al-Fitr Observed?
Knowing about Eid-al-Fitr acknowledges us as a process of thanksgiving to Allah; it’s kind of a special prayer performed by Islamic disciples on Eid day. Eid day, the first day of Shawwal (Islamic month), and the end of Ramadan month (sacred month of fasting).
On this day, Muslims have to make a payment for charity as a thanksgiving attribute from their wealth, and the charity is known as Zakat-al-Fitr.
When Eid-al-Fitr Is Commemorated?
Precisely, the exact date to observe Eid-al-Fitr cannot be announced in advance. The Islamic religious authorities from various countries announce the date counting on the sight of the Eid arc moon to observe the Eid-al-Fitr. That is the reason, the date of starting Ramadan and the day of Eid-al-Fitr differ in different parts of the globe.
Date information regarding “Festival of Breaking the Fast”
In India, we are on the verge of celebrating Eid-al-Fitr on the 10th and 11th April 2024. It is a public holiday (a whole day holiday) in India and celebrated with full grace and glee. It will begin on the 10th April in the evening and end on 11th April in the evening.The date may vary in other nations.
How Festival of Breaking the Fast is Celebrated?
As stated earlier, Festival of Breaking the Fast, the end of Ramadan is observed by Muslim devotees to express their gratitude to Allah for everything he showers on his disciples all over the life. It’s a thanksgiving day for Muslims and breaking fast with different kinds of sweets and delicious dishes and delicacies. Thus, the festival is all about feasting to Muslims and Non-Muslims.
Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak” (a day of blessing and having a boon from Allah). They say this phase Eid Mubarak when to their fellow Muslim sisters, brothers, relatives, and colleagues on the very auspicious Eid day for the first time.
The beauty of the festival is all about spreading love and happiness among the mass. Muslims regardless of age, gender, status, and beliefs take part in this festival by exchanging and offering gifts including new clothes, sweets, money bags, dry fruits, and ever good wishes.
A Few More Interesting Facts about Eid-al-Fitr
We all know Eid-al-Fitr is a holy festival observed by Muslims all over the world in a colorful method. But, now it is time to dig deeper to know some of the interesting trifles of “Festival of Breaking the Fast”.
- History of Ramadan: During Ramadan month, Muslims keep fast from sunrise to sunset to honor or tribute to the prophecy of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed.
- Holy month of Ramadan: Eid-al-Fitr is the holy celebration of the end of Ramadan month, the month of fasting.
- Thanksgiving to Allah: The prayer of Festival of Breaking the Fast is also known Salat-al-Eid. Sunni and Shia perform the prayer in different ways.
- Feast of Fast: The festival is also acknowledged as the Feast of Fast-Breaking.
- Holy moon: The festival begins only after the sighting of the barest silver crescent moon in the sky.
- About Eid-al-Fitr Calendar: Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr happen to hold on the Islamic lunar calendar, not the Gregorian solar calendar.
- A Three Day Muslim Festival: Eid-al-Fitr lasts for 3 days typically. Though, Muslims can celebrate the festival for a week. It counts on their wishes.
- Gift Exchange : Gifts, offered on the special occasion of holy Eid are called “Eidi”.
- First Eid al-Fitr Dinner: It is an engraved fact that the First White House Iftar dinner was hosted by Hillary Clinton, the first lady of the USA in the year 1996 when Bill Clinton was the President of the USA. The tradition was followed by President George W Bush and Barack Obama. Though, in the year 2017, Donald Trump broke the tradition and re-established it again in 2018.
Ramadan is one of the doors of mercy flung wide open as an opportunity for soul cleansing.
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“Happy Eid in advance!”
