Eid al-Fitr allows the Muslim family give thanks for Ramadan and for all of Allah’s blessings. It is a chance, too, to close the door for a few days and to enjoy one another’s company in the presence of Allah.
In celebrating Eid, we are not given weeks or months of expectation, leading to something great happening at the end. Ramadan has been the time of celebration and of coming closer to Allah.
The feast of Eid al-Fitr is the time to give thanks for that. Prophet Muhammad would gather the Muslim community and lead them in the special Eid prayers early in the morning. In imitation of this, we do the same ourselves.
At London’s Central Mosque, for example, Muslims from what seem to be every nation on earth will gather early in the morning for the Eid prayers. They will put on their best clothes and head for the mosque.
This is not only a wonderful example for the rest of London to see, but for Muslims, it is a reminder that Islam is for all people and for every nation.
New Muslims in Eid
The Eid celebration is a chance to take one’s breath after the rigors of Ramadan and to thank Allah Almighty for the gift of being Muslim. Those new to Islam, whether they belong to a Muslim family or not, can join in this sentiment with all their hearts.
Allah has called them to be Muslim. From the beginning of time, He has intended that from all the people on the face of the earth He wants them to accept Islam. We don’t need tinsel and fairy lights to celebrate that. We don’t need expensive gifts.
We can certainly put on our best clothes to go and pray at the mosque, but if getting to the mosque is a problem at such an hour because of our work commitments, we can still offer the prayers of our heart and celebrate the feast with great joy.
During the sermon he gave at the last Hajj which he performed, Prophet Muhammad reminded the Muslim faithful of a wonderful thing.
“Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord,” he told them.
I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example. If you follow them you will not go astray.
Surely that is a great cause for us to celebrate this feast. But he even went on to say more. “O, people, listen to my words. Know that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that all Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”
Being brothers and sisters to one another is not just a nice idea in Islam. It is what we really are.
As Muslims we read in the Holy Quran:
…with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them but He. He knows what is in land and sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. Not a grain in the deep darkness of the earth, not a thing green or dry But it is in a clear Book. (6:59)
As New Muslims, or as Muslims who have been within the fold of Islam since birth, we can all take to heart this verse as we celebrate the feast of Eid al-Fitr. Allah knows everything about us. He knows our weakness and our strength.
We have broken our fast for another year. Insha’Allah (God willing), during the year we will live all those promises and resolutions we made, with His help. We’ll become better people, better Muslims, as a result of our fasting for Allah’s sake.
Whether the feast is a public holiday or not where we live, let us now spend a few quiet days to take in what we have learned during Ramadan and to celebrate and give praise and thanks that we are Muslims.
(This article is from Reading Islam’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.)