Festivals of Islam
There are two main festivals in Islam. They are Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul- Azha. On these occasions, the Muslims express their thanks to Allah, offer prayers, feed the poor, the orphans and the widows. These festivals are not devoted entirely to enjoyment and merry making, because even in joy and happiness, the Muslims are asked to remember Allah. Wc celebrate' two Eids—Eid-ul-Fitrc and Eid-ul-Azha every year. These are happy and holy days. Both are-days of rejoicing and prayer. The Shawal moon announces the arrival of Eid-ul-Fitre. It is the end of Ramazan, the holy month,of Islam,-
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first of Shawwal just after the completion of the month of fasting that is, Ramazan. It is an act of thanks giving to Allah for having given us the strength to keep the fasts of Ramazan.
The next morning the Muslims assemble in a great thanks to God. They thank the merciful Allah for giving this opportunity: and strength to observe the sacreif fasts.
They ask Him to forgive them for their weaknesses and sins. They reaffirm their vow of faithfulness to Allah.
The evening, when the moon is expected to appear, is a memorable evening. As the sun goes down,'the faithful break their fast and offer the Nimaz-i-Maghrib. Then they rush to the roofs of their houses and join the search for moon. They turn their eyes towards the Western horizon.
On every house top there are scores of people, all scanning the sky with keen, expectant eyes. Then someone spots the thin silvery" arc'. He raises his arm towards the moon and shouts exitedly ‘The moon is there.” Other people, too, have seen the moon by now. They take up the happy shout and for sometime everyone is shouting. “The moon is there, the moon is there.”
Someone explodes a cracker to announce the sighting of the moon. The people raise their hands in prayer.
Then the moon night ( Chand Raat) has started.Children arc particularly fond of seeing the Eid moon. As they sight it, their faces light up with joy. The dinner is eaten in a joyous mood. The programmes for the Eid day are discussed. The menul is planned. Every member of the family wants a favourite dish in the morning. Last touches are given to the clothes prepared for the festival.
On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, all sane Muslims both male and female, who are Sahib-i- Nisab, which means people who own a certain amount of property have to pay Sadqat-ul-Fitr. The head of household who is Sahib-i-Nisab is required to pay sadqah on behalf of his children. This is either 1.63 kilos of wheat or its price at the market rate. This sadqah is to be paid to the poor and needy, widows, disabled persons and orphans.
Traditionally Muslims bathe and wear their best clothes on the morning of Eid. Sweets are also traditional on Eid.
The moon of Zil Haj is the harbinger of Eid-ul-Azha. Ten. days after the appearance of the moon, this festival is celebrated. It commemorates1 the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail by his father Hazrat Ibrahim.
Allah asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son to Him. Ibrahim willingly put the knife on his son’s neck. But Allah saved Ismail, Ibrahim and Ismail had stood the test of faithfulness. A ram was then sacrificed. Now the Muslims sacrifice rams to keep fresh the memory of that sacrifice. The great activity that marks the appearance of the Eid-ul-Fitrc moon is not repeated this time. All the rejoicings and celebrations arc reserved for the Eid day. The Eid day is a busy, happy and a memorable day.
Traditionally Muslims bathe and wear their best clothes on the morning of Eid. Sweets are also traditional on Eid. Eid-ul-Azha The second festival is Eid-ul-Azha, which is celebrated on the tenth of Zil-Hij.
It is a festival to thank Allah for the performance of the annual pilgrimage to Ka’abah. It is also meant to remind Muslims of the great sacrifice made by Hazrat Ibrahim, when he was asked by Allah to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail. He taught a lesson to all believers that they should be ready to sacrifice their dearest possessions for the sake of Allah, and also to give up their comforts, desires and wealth for the sake of Allah.
This Eid is also an occasion for charity. Every Muslim who has the means is required to sacrifice an animal after Eid prayers. Animals sacrificed on this day are a symbol of the great sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim.
The meat of the animals is divided into three parts. One part is for the use of family, the second is for relatives and friends and the third is distributed amongst the poor and the needy. The skin of the animals should also be given to the poor or its price may be given for educational or social needs of the poor Muslims.
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