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Muslims celebrate 'Eid ul Fitr on the first day of Shawwal the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, following the month of Ramadhan (in which the revelation started and ended 20+ years later, and which is also the month of fasting). Following a Lunar calendar, Muslims mark the beginning of the month with the sighting of the new crescent. 'Eid, which means ‘festivity‘ in Arabic, is celebrated after the sighting of the new crescent on the previous evening. Since ‘id is celebrated with gift-giving, the highly decorated shops and markets are open till late at night for last minute shoppers. On the eve before ‘id, women and children get together to decorate their hands with henna, (in the south Asian subcontinent this evening is also known as 'chand raat'.. chand means moon and raat means night.. the evening when Eid is confirmed for the following day, with the sighting of the crescent moon indicating the start of festivities). Staying up late preparing food for the next day, the whole house is a hub of activity and excitement.
Children fast for the first time usually at age 7yrs, building up to the whole month by age 12 or 14 years. Younger kids insist on fasting as they get excited by all the attention they see their older siblings getting. The young ones are allowed to keep 'chiri roza' (as it is known in Pakistan... chiri = bird, roza = fast)... fasting like birds they can peck all day long, which means that they can fast from sehr (pre-dawn meal) to breakfast, breakfast to lunch, and then from lunch to ift‘r (dusk meal to open fast)... little mini fasts to make them feel included and participate in the spirit of Ramadhan. For the children who kept their first fast, their Eid is special. They are rewarded by family and friends with gifts, extra attention and compliments for their achievement.
The 'Eid prayer is important for Muslims as it has the merits of the daily prayers and the weekly gathering (Jumu'ah). On the day of Eid, fasting is forbidden since this day marks the end of the month-long fast. Eid is a family and social event, after the Eid prayers people visit each other, exchange gifts, spend time socializing with extended family and community, visiting the sick and offering prayers for the deceased. For those who fasted during the month of Ramadhan, there is a sense of triumph and accomplishment. The manifestation of the two attributes of God are palpable: Y‘ Q‘bid (The Restrictor) Y‘ B‘sit (The Expander). The month of restraint and spiritual growth followed by this day of extravagance, festivities and celebrations. Internal reverie followed by external spread. Revived and rejuvenated by the intimacy of Ramadhan fasters celebrate the blessings with others. The macrocosm of life manifested in the microcosm of a month.. self-discipline and commitment to All‘h is rewarded... as it will be in the Hereafter. Focus redirected. Ups and downs, highs and lows... and with every hardship follows ease! |
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