2023-04-20 07:01:38
Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which this year should coincide with Friday, April 21, 2023. But what is Eid al-Fitr and how is it experienced by the Muslim community? Etymologically, the Arabic term refers to the feast of breaking the fast. This important festival of the Muslim calendar is celebrated on the first day of the month of Shawwal, tenth month of the Islamic calendar: theappearance of the new moon thus marks the completion of the long period of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr, the second festival of Islam, is also sometimes called Aïd es-Seghir, the small festival, as opposed to Eid el-Kébir, the big festival (Aïd al-Adha), which takes place around two months and ten days later (actually the 10e day of Dhu al-hijja) in commemoration of the sacrifice of Abraham. This festival is therefore completely linked to the month of Ramadan and is a moment of intense celebration for the Muslim community. Much of the Eid holiday is lived in gratitude and praise to Allahof the personal triumph over his passions during a month of long achievement executed with the sole purpose of satisfying and serve the Lord.
A major festive occasion for the Muslim community, Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated for at least three days. On the day of the feast, it is advisable to eat sweets such as dates before going to the mosque to celebrate the collective prayer there. On the morning of Eid, normally at the latest before the start of the prayer, Muslims must pay the zakat al-Fitr (alms for breaking the fast): this, intended for the poor of the community or the needy, also aims to purify the mistakes made by the fasting person during Ramadan.
But “al fatra”, according to the name given by Maghreb Muslims in France in particular, can also be given during the month of Ramadan and also aims to strengthen ties in the Islamic community. Each head of family is liable for it and must give a certain amount for each of the family members for whom he is responsible, regardless of his age. Many give zakat early in the morning so that the poor can participate in the celebration of Eid. However, many believers pay zakat al-Fitr, the last decade of Ramadan, by sendingmoney in the country of origin (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, etc.) or by sending a check to certain Islamic charities (Islamic Relief, Muslim Hands, Red Crescent, etc.).
It should be noted in passing that these have experienced significant growth in recent years and regularly solicit donations within the framework of numerous humanitarian campaigns abroad (Palestine, Darfur, Haiti, Ethiopia, Syria, etc.) but also in France (soups popular, breaking the fast during Ramadan, etc.)
“For at least three days, we witness demonstrations of joy, exchanges of congratulations between all believers.”
After having performed the great ablution, the Muslims go to the mosques in the early morning to perform the Eid office, perfumed and dressed in their best clothes. Indeed it is a question, in accordance with the prophetic Tradition, of being pleasing to God who is “Beauty and appreciates beauty”. Note in passing that the Eid prayer, consisting of only two rak’at (unit of prayer, consisting of a complete series of standing, bowing, prostration and sitting positions), despite its optional nature ( Sunna), is widely followed by believers: many are those who make their professional arrangements to attend.
As was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad, many Muslims on their way to the mosque recite praises repeating various ritual formulas: “Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god except Allah, Allah is the most great, Allah is the greatest. Praise be to Him”. At the end of the prayer and throughout the duration of Eid, Muslims greet and hug each other with the formula: “May God be pleased with your works and ours!” and “May your Eid be a day of blessing!”
For at least three days, there are demonstrations of joy, exchanges of congratulations between all believers, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in the community. In addition, gifts are given to the children, feasts are organized; dishes are also given to the poor or distributed to neighbors (sadaqat). Many decorate their homes to celebrate this blessed holiday. In Muslim countries, mosques and minarets light up at night and the chanting of the Koran often resounds during the day. Muslims also take advantage of this holiday to visit their friends, the sick, and their relatives.
“Children particularly enjoy this holiday, which for them is synonymous with toys, money or gifts offered by adults.”
Each family makes great preparations to welcome the guests, and there are usually trays of various and varied oriental pastries shared with neighbors and the local community with coffee and tea. Many decorate their homes to celebrate this blessed holiday. Children particularly appreciate this celebration, synonymous for them with toys, money or gifts offered by adults. Phone calls are made to distant family and friends and colorful greeting cards are sometimes sent on this occasion. Spiritually, for Muslims, the feast of Eid al-Fitr is also a time for self-evaluation of the past month. It allows to draw a with good deeds accomplished (or bad ones) and changes made within him.
The devotee then looks to the future with the same level of commitment and determination practiced during the holy month of Ramadan. The second feast of Islam is also an invitation to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation between believers. Note, finally, that if it is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid, Muslims are encouraged to fast for another six days known as the sitta ayyam Shawwal: the latter also called ayyam essabirin (the days of the persevering). , pious believers fast during the month of Shawwal, consecutively or intermittently.
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– What is Eid al-Fitr?
The feast of the end of the Ramadan fast falls on April 21 this year. Explanations.
Dr Kamel Meziti, the story