Eid Mubarak!

Salaam everyone, it is now time to rejoice in celebration as Eid is now upon us! Congratulations to all of you who completed Ramazan, this year we know how extremely tough and tiring it has been. We wish you all a beautiful Eid and enjoy the celebrations with your families.

For those of you who would like to know more about Eid al-Fitr, please read on.

Eid al-Fitr (Eid ul-Fitr) arrives on the first new moon after the month of Ramazan, signalling that fasting has now come to an end. The word ‘Eid’ derives from Arabic and means festivity, whilst ‘Fitr’ means breaking (of the fasting period, similar to Iftar).

On Eid, Muslims are to attend mosque, usually in the morning where they will pray the Eid Namaz (or Salat). Before they pray, normally at the mosque entrance Zakat al-Fitr is paid. Zakat is the term for charity, something that all Muslims should give, as caring for each other and helping those less fortunate is widely advocated within the Quran. The amount of Zakat is variable on personal circumstances and can be paid by the head of each household, if desired.

As for the Eid prayer, this is also said to be obligatory to all Muslims and must be performed with Jama’at (in congregation) . The prayer itself is different from others, as it is made up of six Takbirs (where you raise your hands to your ears and say Allah-O-Akbar), three of these before the first Raka’ah and three before Ruku (before you bow to recite your prayer).

Celebrations usually commence once prayers have come to an end. Many cultures celebrate in different ways, but one trend in common is the ‘Eid Greeting’.  On giving someone your Salaam, you will then proceed to hug the person three times; to their right side, their left side and again to their right. Generally this will only take place between people of the same sex, or with family members. Eid al-Fitr is to be celebrated over three days, where Muslims will assemble together with family members and friends to share feasts. It is a time for humility, and we are all encouraged to forgive and forget any differences we once had with people. Another emblematic tradition of Eid is the giving of gifts to those younger (known as Eidi in some cultures).

From all of us here at MuslimandSingle.com, we wish you Eid Mubarak and pleasant greetings upon your friends and families.