Eid-ul-Fitr (Id al-Fitr): Eid Prayers

Eid-ul-Fitr (Id al-Fitr) is linked with the Holy month of Ramadan. It signifies the end of the month of fasting (the first day of the month of Shawwal).

Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs.

Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims thank God for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan.

This day, in Muslim world, brings rejoicing and happiness. The rejoicing is not, however, at the departure of the month of Ramadan; it is the happiness which man feels after successfully completing an important task.

It is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation.

The feast of Fitr is Gods reward for those who fast during the holy month of Ramadan. In this month, man should try to add to his true knowledge of God, do acts of charity for the needy, renew his beliefs towards his Lord and this will be a real Bairam Feast (Turkish word meaning festival) for him. The prayers of the day of Bairam a reason of unity and solidarity of Muslims all over the world. On this day do honor God for His endless and all-enhancing mercy.

In view of the great significance attached to this day of Eid, numerous traditions consisting of prayers and worship of God on this day, have been quoted from the Holy Prophet and his Ahl-al-Bait.

Taking a solemn bath (Ghusl) on the night preceding Eid is highly recommended (Sunnat). This is a night of great sanctity and profound virtues, and should be preferably spent in worship and prayer to God.

Imam Zainul Abedin (A.S.) used to spend this whole night in devotion, and has said: "This night is as important as that of Shab-e-Qadr" (that is to say, the odd night towards the latter part of Ramadan when the Holy Quran was first revealed to our Holy Prophet [S.A.W.]).

It is quoted from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) that "one who offers six Rakat prayers on this night reciting in each Rakat Sura Al-Hamd once and Sura Qul Huwallah five times God will pardon his sins".

Haris Aawar narrates that Hazrat Ali (A.S.), on this night, after Maghrib prayers, used to offer two Rakats prayers. In the first one he used to recite Sure Al-Hamd once and Sura Qul Huwallah one hundred times, and in the other both the Suras only once. After completion of the prayers he would bow his head in prostration and recite "Atubo Ellallah" 100 times and then would say, "I swear by one (God)! He has the sole command over my life". Whoever will, in this way, offer two Rakats prayers, the Beneficent will positively fulfill any wish begged from Him. (Aamal-e-Shabe Eid-ul-Fitr)

The conception of Eid in Islam is not confined only to celebration extravagance, luxurious feasts, friendly handshakes and embraces. The Muslims should rather devote this day to the worship of God and should beseech Him to approve their virtuous deeds and forgive their sins. This is because the doors of Gods pardon are kept open this day and His Blessings are bountiful.

Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers
It is considered by tradition to be an obligatory [Wajib - prayer, though technically it is an optional prayer with the injunction that it is preferable to offer even if optional (Sunnat-e-Muvakkadah)]. This prayer is Sunnat during the period of occultation of the Imam-e-Zamana(a.s.).

Ghusl (Purification Bath) on Eid day is sunnat, which should preferably be taken under a shelter and not under the open sky.

Before offering Eid prayers it is recommended to have a breakfast of dates. The specified time of Eid prayer is between sunrise and the suns initial decline (Zawal). If this prayer happens to be missed it cannot be offered late as Qaza. Women are exempted from this prayer. The Prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr can be performed individually if one has missed the Jamaat.

It is Mustahab (recommended) to offer Eid prayers with two Kutbas.

Takbir before Namaz-e-Eid: "Allaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Laa Ilaaha Illallaah Wallaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Wa lillaahil Hamd. Alhamdulillah Alaa Maa Hadaanaa Walahu Shukr Alaa Maa Aulana."

The meaning of the above is: Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest there is no one worthy of prayer but Allah, and Allah is Greatest; Allah is Greatest, and all Praise is for Allah. All Praise is for Allah, for that which He has guides us and for Him is thanks for what He has."

This prayer consists of two Rakats. Niyyat (Intention) should be in these words: "I resolve to offer two Rakats Namaz-e-Eid, Sunnat Qurbatan Ellallah". This should be followed by "Takbir" (Allah-Ho-Akber). In the first Rakat after Sura Al-Hamd, recite Sura Ala or The Most High. Then five times Dua-e-Qunoot, followed by Ruku and then Sajda. Then up again for the second Rakat. In the second Rakat after Sura Al-Hamd recite Sura Shams or The Sun and four times Dua-e-Qunoot. After this the namaz should be completed like the Morning Prayer.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a great day of festival for Muslims. It is a day of rejoicing and being happy. But for whom? Is it the day of rejoicing for those who simply put on new clothes and wear perfume? Or is it the day of being happy for those who were eagerly waiting for the release of the greatest enemy of mankind, Satan, from his captivity so that they all revert to committing sins? Unfortunately, many Muslims abstain from sins during the month of Ramadan, but come Eid-ul-Fitr, they go back to what they were before! Cassettes of prayers, which were in their cars during the holy month of Ramadan, are thrown back into their cases and replaced with those, which are unlawful, by Shariah. The forbidden places from which they had abstained for month long, are infact the same places they go to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration

Just as, when a person goes to a college, or a university and at the completion of his course, he receives his award marking his achievement, we must understand that, the holy month of Ramadan is a spiritual university where we are being trained to achieve Taqwa i.e. piety. The day of Eid-ul-Fitr is when Allah (SWT) is awarding us for our achievements.

On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Hazrat Ali (A.S.) delivered a sermon in which he said: "O people! Verily this day of yours is the day when the righteous are awarded and the wretched are losers. It is a day which is similar to the one on which you shall be standing (before your Lord). Therefore, when you come out of your homes to go to places of your prayer, remind yourselves about the day when you (your souls) shall come out of your bodies to go to your Lord. When you stand on places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in presence of your Lord (on the day of Judgement). And when you return to your homes (after prayer), remind yourselves about your returning to your homes in Paradise. O Servants of Allah! Verily the minimum reward for those men and women who fasted (during Ramadan), is an Angel, who calls out to them on the last day of the month of Ramadan (saying): O SERVANTS OF ALLAH! REJOICE THE GLAD TIDING THAT ALL YOUR PREVIOUS SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. Therefore, watch out in those things which serve as your re-creation (on this day and days to follow)" (Nahjul-Balaghah)