Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: A Retrospective
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are two of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims around the world. These two festivals hold great significance for the Islamic community, as they mark the end of Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage respectively. Both these festivals are celebrated with great joy, enthusiasm, and fervor by Muslims all over the globe.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival that marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month-long period of fasting from sunrise to sunset. The festival begins with prayers in mosques or open fields on the morning of Eid day, followed by feasting and exchanging gifts with family members, friends, and neighbors. Special dishes are prepared for this occasion such as biryani, kebabs, sweets like sheer khurma (a sweet dish made from milk vermicelli), seviyan (sweet vermicelli), etc.
The festival is not just about feasting but also about giving back to those in need. It is customary for Muslims to give zakat (charity) during Ramadan so that everyone can celebrate Eid without any worries or financial constraints. This spirit of generosity continues into Eid al-Fitr as well when people donate food or money to charities that feed needy families.
Apart from this, children also receive money called ‘Eidi’ from elders in their family as a token of love during both Eids. They dress up in new clothes and visit relatives’ homes to exchange greetings while receiving blessings from elders.
Eid ul Adha is another significant festival observed by Muslims worldwide. This festival commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s commandment before God intervened at last minute stopping him saying he had passed His test on faithfulness & obedience.
It falls on 10th Zul Hijjah every year – which happens after the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The festival is celebrated for three days when Muslims offer special prayers in mosques or open fields followed by sacrificing animals like sheep, goats, cows, camels as Qurbani (sacrifice) – which they then distribute to family members and also among the poor and needy.
The meat from Qurbani is divided into three parts – one-third for the family’s consumption, another third for relatives & friends while the last part goes to those who are less fortunate. This practice ensures that everyone can enjoy a hearty meal during Eid al-Adha regardless of their financial status.
Eid al-Adha has an important message attached to it – to remind us about Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice as well as our willingness towards obedience and submission towards Allah. It encourages Muslims worldwide to help those who are less privileged than themselves by sharing their wealth with them.
One commonality shared between these two Eids is it teaches us about patience and self-restraint. During Ramadan fasting teaches patience while during Eid al-Adha sacrifice reminds us of self-control over our desires hence both festivals promote values such as compassion, generosity & discipline.
Muslims around the world have celebrated these two festivals with great fervor despite various restrictions enforced due to COVID 19 pandemic. Mosques were closed in many countries resulting in prayers being offered at home or outdoors while online platforms facilitated virtual gatherings ensuring that people could still celebrate together albeit remotely.
This year again like last year, there will be some restricitions on celebrations due to Covid 19 pandemic however we hope that next year everything will be back normal without any limitations so people can celebrate these festivals with full charm and enthusiasm.
In conclusion, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are two significant festivals in Islam that signify faithfulness towards Allah Almighty through love, respect & submission; promoting brotherhood & humanity globally through acts of kindness, charity and compassion for those who are less fortunate. These festivals not only bring Muslims together but also promote the message of unity, peace & harmony among humanity as a whole.