Once again, the Muslims of the world complete the days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan wherein they engaged themselves in the offering of taraweeh prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran, giving charity and various acts of worship. These dedicated believers then ask Allah for acceptance and forgiveness of any shortcomings that came about during this holy period. The day of Eid then dawns and it is the occasion to celebrate after all the hard work.

The day of Eid is the day wherein all the Muslims feel happy and express their joy for the blessing of completion of fasting and the ability from Allah upon the fulfillment of one of the greatest commands of Allah. They thank the lord for the virtues derived and the obedience they were able to display during this month. This is, in reality the most rightful and legitimate joy in Islam. Many enjoyments of this world transpire due to temporary passion, lust and fleeting ambitions, which are generally regarded as reprehensible. This is why Allah states in the Holy Quran :

“Say in the bounty of Allah, and in His mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); therein let them rejoice. That is better than what (wealth) they amass.” (Verse 58, Surah Yunus)

In reality the day of Eid is a day of gratitude and remembrance and a day to enjoy a good meal in happiness of this day. This is why it is regarded haram and unlawful to fast on this day. This is the day of the Muslim calendar, when we are the guests of Allah. Fasting on this day is like rejecting the call and invitation of Allah the Almighty.

When the prophet Mohammed (p.b.u.h.) arrived for the very first time to Medina and witnessed the people of Medina maintaining two days for their celebrations, pleasures and amusement, the prophet Mohammed (p.b.u.h.) whilst addressing his companions exclaimed

“Verily, Allah has given you in exchange of this, two other days superior than them, the days of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. Allah has altered those two days of amusement and pleasure to two days of remembrance, gratitude & forgiveness.” (Hadith)

For the believers, in this temporary abode, there are three days of celebration. Each of them approaches us after the completion of some great worship of Islam. There is the Eid of the week, Friday, which comes after the completion of all the daily five prayers of the week. Allah the Almighty has prescribed for the Muslims on this day of the week a congregational prayer wherein all the Muslims of different localities united, gather and listen to the sermon.

Then, is the Eid ul Fitr which arrives upon the completion of the obligatory fasting of the holy month of Ramadhan, which stands as the forth pillar of Islam. They had persevered the trouble of fasting and asked Allah for forgiveness and release from the hellfire, for verily from amongst the benefits of fasting is the forgiveness from Allah of any previous sin and finally the attaining freedom from the hellfire. When the Muslim World concludes these fasts, Allah rewards them with the blessed day of Eid so that they may gather and thank, remember and praise the Almighty for these great blessings. This day is also the day of reward for all those who fasted. They return to their homes in the state of being forgiven and attaining the pleasure of Allah. The Muslims offer the prayer of Eid as Allah has prescribed in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed whosoever purifies himself and remembers shall achieve success” (verses 14 & 15 Surah A’ala)