After Ramadan — a month dedicated to fasting and righteous deeds — Eid-ul-Fitr, which directly translates to a festival of breaking the fast, is a day of celebration that Muslims partake in. Eid-ul-Fitr is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims which commemorates the end of Ramadan, the month in which Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset and engage in acts of worship. While Eid-ul-Fitr is often plainly recognized as a holiday, these days after Ramadan hold substantial value and purpose, and are celebrated in a variety of ways worldwide (humanappealusa.org).
Director and Religious Leader of the Islamic Center of San Diego Imam Taha Hassane said, “Eid-ul-Fitr is the day Muslims celebrate their achievement of fasting the whole month, standing for hours in night prayers, and spending their own money on the poor and the needy.” Muslims start the day with gratitude and gather with their fellow Muslims in congregation and pray Eid prayer at the mosque or a large space. This year, Eid-ul-Fitr falls on Sunday March 30, and the Muslim community will be gathering for Eid prayer at the San Diego Convention Center. Hassane said, “After offering the Eid prayer, Muslims are encouraged to congratulate one another, exchange gifts, and visit each other.”
Following the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), every moment of this day is shaped through intentional acts of worship and gratitude. One practice is taking a different path home after the Eid prayer than the way you went. “On the Day of Eid, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to return after offering the Eid prayer through a way different from that by which he went. Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari [narrations from companions of the Prophet]” (islamic-relief.org.uk).
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Islamic rulings, the wisdom behind this practice is that the two paths in which the Muslim drove on, would be witnesses for him on the Day of Judgement that he participated in prayer and was engaging in righteous acts. “It is known that on the Day of Judgement, the earth will be a witness for us, or against us as Allah (God) says [in the Quran] ‘And the earth brings out its loads. And the human being says, ‘What is the matter with it?’ On that Day, it will convey its chronicles. Because your Lord will have inspired it’” (fiqh.islamonline.net). The change of paths is one of many prophetic practices on Eid, along with giving to charity, Zakat in Arabic, and supporting those in need. “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Zakat Al-Fitr is a purification to the fasting people and a gift to the poor and needy. It’s also an act of solidarity among Muslims, “ said Hassane.
Muslims believe that the holy month of Ramadan is a time that exemplifies renewal of faith, gratitude, spirituality, and patience, and is a yearly reminder of the blessings that God has bestowed upon them. During this month, Muslims pray night prayers called Taraweeh in congregation at the mosque, actively read the Quran — the words of Allah (God) — and participate in many other voluntary acts of worship to strengthen their relationship with God and transform their habits to better serve themselves. Hassane described Ramadan as, “…a training where we learn patience and perseverance, we draw ourselves closer to Allah, and we practice the true submission to our Creator.”
Junior Zakariya Morgan said, “Ramadan definitely strengthens my faith since it requires a lot of self discipline and self control. After fasting for all of Ramadan, Eid feels like a nice break and brings a lot of joy to me and my family.” This prized time allows Muslims to gather with their family and community, celebrating a month of dedication to worship and self-reflection.
From streets illuminated with colorful lights to beautiful traditional gowns, to the simple actions of gratitude, Eid-ul-Fitr is a blessed time of unity and fulfillment. In efforts to ensure the Muslim community is able to participate in their celebration, communication and curiosity must shine bright. Hassane said, “American Muslims, like people of other religions, have the right to observe their religious celebrations. It’s important for Muslim kids to inform their schools, and Muslim adults to inform their workplaces about our Eid celebrations. This can be possible when American Muslims reach out to their non Muslim neighbors, friends, coworkers and classmates to share with them the beauty and significance of Ramadan and Eid.”