Celebrating Eid As A Token Of Thanksgiving
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Celebrating Eid As A Token Of Thanksgiving

Islam is a complete code of conduct and governs every dimension of human life and always preaches moderation in worship as well as celebrations

Post by on Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (RA) would say when the end of the Ramadan used to approach: ‘How can a believer not shed tears at the departure of Ramadan, when he doesn’t even know whether he’ll be alive for its return or not?” However, for a believer there are glad tidings if she or she has fulfilled his or her religious duties during Ramadan. The night before Eid is also known as ‘Laylatul Jaa’izah’ or ‘the night of rewards’ indicating that there are rewards for the believer for his observance of fasting of the Ramadan. Then there is Eid festival, which also entails many rewards and blessings for him. 

 

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated a hadith from the Prophet (SAW) in which the Prophet (SAW) has said: ‘When the day of Eid-ul-Fitr [begins], the angels descend on earth, where they take their positions at access points of roads, calling out with a voice that is heard by the whole creation of Allah, except men and Jin, “O Ummah of Muhammad (SAW)! Come out to your most Noble and Gracious Lord, who grants much, and pardons the major sins”. When they proceed to their places of prayer, Allah, Exalted is He, says to His angels, “ O My angels! What is the reward of a worker when he has done his work?” So they say, ”Our Lord and Our Master! To receive his reward [for the work, in full]“. So He says, ”I call you to witness that, for their fasts [during Ramadan], and for their standing in prayer at night, I have made their reward My Pleasure, and my Forgiveness. Depart [from here], you are forgiven”’.

 

To begin with Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad (SAW). The meaning of the word "Fitr" is "opening (of something)". The word "Infatarat” in the following verse is derived from a similar root with the word "Fitr":    "When the sky is rent apart," (82:1). Since the believers after a month long fasting open their fast therefore it is known as Eid al fitr.

 

According to certain traditions, these festivals were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca. Anas (RA), a well-known companion of the Prophet (SAW), narrated that, when the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation and merriment. At this, the Prophet (SAW) remarked that “Almighty has fixed two days of festivity instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha”.

 

Exegetes of the Qur'an have said that "and so that you may complete the number, and magnify Allah for guiding you, and that you may give thanks.", is about the Takbirs recommended on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. It is said that the words tazaka and fasala in the two verses " ["Felicitous is he who purifies himself,"] and " ["celebrates the Name of his Lord, and prays."] mean to give Zakat al-Fitra and praying the Eid Prayer.

 

 

There is scope for enjoying in moderate manner on the day of Eid as the following Hadith indicates: Hazrat Aisha(RA) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Buath (a story about the war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and the Aus, before Islam). The Prophet (SAW) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, "Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet (SAW) ?" Allah's Messenger (SAW) turned his face towards him and said, "Leave them." When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signalled to those girls to go out and they left. It was the day of Eid, and the Black people were playing with shields and spears; so either I requested the Prophet (SAW) or he asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (SAW) made me stand behind him and my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, "Carry on! O Bani Arfida," till I got tired. The Prophet (SAW) asked me, "Are you satisfied (Is that sufficient for you)?" I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave.” (Sahih al Bukhari).

 

Another Hadith has been narrated by Aisha (RA) and she said: “Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protesting, "Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Messenger (SAW)!" It happened on the Eid day and Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid."(Bukhari)

 

However, Eids in Islam are not like the festivals found elsewhere where merry making drinking dancing and such other activities informed by lustful motives are the norm in most cases. Rather Eids in Islam are symbolic expressions of spirit of worship as the Islamic weltanchuaang is based on our duty towards our lord and by implication to serve His servants. As already mentioned that when the Prophet (SAW) arrived to Medina he found there that the people there had different festivals and he replaced those with two Eids, Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha and thus Islam has given a new orientation to the celebration of festivals.

 

Both the Eids have first of all prayers as thanks giving to Allah (SWT) and then there is an instructive practice in both, in case of Eid al Fitr, the Muslims are obliged to pay off sadqatul fitr which is taamatul lilfuqra, meaning the food and sustenance for the poor and destitute so that they can also participate in the celebrations of Eid and meet our their basic needs and in the Eid al Adha there is prayers first of all and immediately after Muslims who have wherewithal have been instructed to sacrifice animals. Thus these both Eids are symbolic expressions for displaying Islamic attitude towards the rights of Allah (SWT) ibadat (prayers) and the Haquq al Ibad (rights of human beings).

 

Then Muslims also generously spend on their family and make them happy by taking care of their needs and there are ahadith which show that during some Eid occasions the Prophet ((SAW) allowed some kinds of merry making. Usually the Muslims wear new dresses on the occasion of Eids or wear washed off clothes on these festivals and perform several philanthropic and religious duties .Eid makes social relations more strengthened as the people visit the homes of relatives and friends and share with them the moments of fellow feeling and cultural engagements and also allows Muslims to mitigate the economic difficulties the marginalised people in the community face .Thus an atmosphere of brotherhood is created by both the Eids .

 

Islam is a complete code of conduct and governs every dimension of human life and always preaches moderation in worship as well as celebrations. The Eids in Islam are the glaring exemplifying symbols of this serene moderation and balance!

 

 

 

(The Author is Director International Center for Spiritual Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora Pulwama. Former Director, Shah-i-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir Srinagar. He can be reached on hamidnaseem@gmail.com

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