According to a hadith attributed to Anas ibn Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were instituted by the Prophet after his journey from Mecca to Medinah. “When the Prophet arrived in Medinah, he found people celebrated two specific days in which they used to entertain themselveswith recreation and merriment. He askedthem about the nature of these festivities to which they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two days [of festivity] instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid al-Fitr andEid al-Adha. The first Eid al-Fitrwas celebrated in 624 CE by theProphet Muhammad and his companions after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar. To mark thebeginning of Eid and in accordance with the Sunnah, or practices of theProphet Muhammad, manyMuslims wake up early in the morning and praySalatul-Fajr, or the pre-dawn prayer. After brushing their teeth, taking a bath and wearing perfume, theyhave breakfast before heading off to perform special congregational prayers known asSalaat al-Eid. Many Muslims recitethe takbir, a declaration offaith, on the way to the prayer ground and give special charitable contributions known as Zakat al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr is a day of greatmerriment and thanksgiving. Muslims celebrate by gathering with friends and family, preparing sweet delicacies,wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts andputting up lights and otherdecorations in their homes.A common greeting during this holiday isEid Mubarak, which means, “Have a blessed Eid!”
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 10:48:16 +0000
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