Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim
Today is the last day of Ramadan. We are hoping that Allah SWT will accept all 'our shoum and other ibaadah performed during this blessed month.
Almost two billion Muslims around the world celebrate 'Id ul-Fitr, the three-day festival commonly known as "Id." "Id ul-Fitr" literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast." The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.
Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, since the Qur'an, the book of Muslim scripture, was revealed during this month.
It is also the time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day, refraining from food and water. Fasting is not only a symbol of sacrifice and purification, but also a measure of self-restraint and to teach humility and patience and for encouraging compassion for those less fortunate. Charity and service are particularly emphasized during Ramadan, and Muslims are required to donate food and a percentage of their wealth to the poor.
The first 'Id is considered to have been celebrated in 624 CE by Muhammad after winning the Battle of Badr. At that time, there had been a fast by the armies that was broken after their success in this battle.
Therefore, Id-ul-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the 30-day Holy month of Ramadan, according to the Muslim lunar calendar, is a celebration both of thanksgiving and brotherhood.
The festival coming at its end connotes that the Muslim has successfully observed the mandatory fasting and prayer, the spiritual obligations so to speak, called for in the month of Ramadaan.
During this period, a Muslim fasts during the day, between sunrise and sunset, and only eats and drinks at night. Fasting tests a person's will power and is a means to carry a Muslim beyond the call of the material world. It is also a means to realize what benefits and comforts one has received in life and feel closer to those Muslim brethren who are underprivileged. In this sense, fasting sensitizes a person to others needs. Thus, the festival Id-ul-Fitr, is both a thanksgiving for the path of Islam and a celebration of the brotherhood of those who follow the path.
Id-ul-Fitr coincides with the new moon, the first day of the month of Shawwal. Id actually means festival and Fitr, a derivative of the word 'fatar' meaning breaking, suggests breaking the fast. Yet another belief is that the name of the festival is indicative of the 'Fitrah' or alms that a devout Muslim must share with his poorer brothers on this festival, as a thanksgiving for the bounties he has received in his life and also, out of his gratitude for having received the strength to accurately main the fast prescribed for the month of Ramzan.
As the festival is associated with a celebration of brotherhood, Muslims seek to rid themselves of all animosity and feel at peace with all on this day and often the preceding days of prayer are towards this aim.
In Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore "Id is called Hari Raya Aidilfitri - literally "Grand Day.", or Lebaran in Indoensia. Banks, private offices and government are closed, usually lasting one week. It's customary to wear traditional clothing and to visit the graves of loved family and friends. Referred to as Eid Fetr by the Shia Iranians, Eid is more often celebrated quietly with family. Since charity is required, a ghorbani (sacrifice) is given by wealthier families, often in the form of lamb or a calf.
On "Id morning, which is the first day of Shawwal - the tenth month in the Islamic lunar calendar - families offer a special prayer of thanks, called an Eid prayer, for the help and strength received to practice self discipline during Ramadan. Before the Eid prayer, every Muslim man, woman and child must pay Zakat al Fitr (a charity) for the month of Ramadan. The Zakat al Fitr is a special offering given in thanks for one's own prosperity and for having faithfully observed their fast throughout Ramadan. This equates to approximately 4 1/2 lbs. of wheat, barley, dates, raisins; or, the cash equivalent, and is typically collected at the mosque to be distributed to those who are less fortunate in the Islamic community.
After breaking the fast, offering prayers and alms, families begin their celebrations with food and family and friends gathering. In most parts of the Islamic world, Muslims give each other small gifts and wear new clothes, children receive money from their parents, relatives and older friends, special feasts are held, and desserts adorn the table for days while families and friends reunite.
During the day, Muslims irrespective of their position in society, meet each other by embracing thrice and say "Id Mubarak!" (congratulations for Id), and eat sweetmeats, of which vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk,gado-gado, ketupat sayur, rendang, etc (Indonesian Foods).
There are 13 things are Sunnah, On the day of 'Id-ul-Fitr:
1. To adorn oneself as permitted by Shari'at.
2. To take a bath.
3. To clean the teeth with Miswaak.
4. To wear the best cloths that one has.
5. To use perfume.
6. To rise early in the morning.
7. To go to the Eid Gaah very early.
8. To eat something sweet like dates before going to the Masjid.
9. To give Sadqa-e-Fitr before going to Masjid to perform shalat 'Id
10. To offer Eid prayer that is not to offer it in the mosque of the locality without any legitimate excuse.
11. To go to the Masjid one way and to come back another way.
12. To go on foot if possible.
13. To recite slowly on the way to masjid,
Allahu-Akbar “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd."
"Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only."
How To perform 'Id prayers
First make the Niyyah (intention) by reciting "I intend to perform two raka'ats Eid-ul-Fitr / Eid-ul-Adh'ha waajib with six waajib takbeers."
Then raising both hands up to the ears, say Allahu Akbar, this is Takbeer-e-Tahreemah, which will followed by three Waajib Takbeers,and fold your hands in the front and recite the "Sana", Subhaanakallahumma till the end and then say Allahu Akbar thrice, each time raising both hands up to the ears and drop them. After each takbeer there should be a pause in which Subhanallah may be recited thrice.
After the third takbeer the hands should be dropped but folded in front and recite A'oozubillah, Bismillah, Surah Fatehaa and some other Surah and then perform Ruku' and Sajdah as usual. The recitation by the lmaam should be done loudly.
The second raka’at will be performed in such a way that Surah Fatehaa and some other Surah will be recited first, then three takbeers will be said, as in the first raka’at. In all these three takbeers hands will not to be folded but dropped after each takbeer. And then go into the Ruku' just after the fourth takbeer.
Here is the Takbir we should repeat throught the day and seven days afterword
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great, Allah is Great
اللّهُ أكبر
Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
there is no God, but Allah
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ اكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is Great, Allah is Great
و لِلّه الحمدَ
walilahil Hamd
to Him belongs all Praise
اللّهُ أكبرُ كَبيِرَا
Allahu Akbaru Kabeera
Allah is the Greatest
وَالحَمدُ لِلّهِ كَثِيرا
wal-Hamdulilahi katheera
And all Praise is due to Him
وَ سُبحَان اللّهِ
wa Subhan allahi
And Glory to Allah
بُكرَةً وَأصْيِلا
bukratan wa aseila
eventide and in the morning
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
there is no God, but Allah the Unique
صَدَقَ وَعدَه
sadaqa wa'dah
He has fulfilled His Promise
وَنَصَرَ عبده
wa nasara abda
and made Victorious His servant
وأعزَ جُنَده
wa a'azza jundahu
and made Mighty His soldiers
وَهزم الأحْزَابَ وحْدَه
wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdah
and defeated the confederates
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
there is no God, But Allah
وَلا نَعبُد الا أياه
wa laa na'budu illa iyyah
He alone we worship
مُخلِصِّينَ لَهُ الدّيِنَ
mukhlessena lahud-deena
with sincere and exclusive devotion
وَلوْ كَرِهَ الكَافِروُن
walaw karehal-Kafeeroon
even though the idolaters hate it
اللّهمَ صَلِّ على سيْدنَا مُحَمد
Allahumma salli ala sayyedna Muhammad
O Allah, have Mercy on our Prophet Muhammad
وَعَلى آلِ سيْدنَا مُحَمد
wa ala aalie sayyedna Muhammad
and on the family of our Prophet Muhammad
وَعَلى اصْحَابِ سيْدنَا مُحَمد
wa ala as-haabie sayyedna Muhammad
and on the companions of our Prophet Muhammad
وَعَلى أنصَارِ سيْدنَا مُحَمد
wa ala ansari sayyedna Muhammad
and on the helpers of our Prophet Muhammad
وَعَلى أزوَاجِ سيْدنَا مُحَمد
wa ala azwajie sayyedna Muhammad
and on the wives of our Prophet Muhammad
وَعَلى ذُرِّيَةِ سيْدنَا مُحَمد
wa ala dhurreyatie sayyedna Muhammad
and on the progeny of our Prophet Muhammad
وَ سَلّم تَسْلِيماَ كَثّيرا
wa sallim tasleeman katheera
and Bestow upon them much peace.
"'ID MUBARAK EVERYONE"
