Eid in Islam Eid al Fitr Eid ul Adha and Eid Milad un Nabi
Eid in Islam Eid al Fitr Eid ul Adha and Eid Milad un Nabi S A A W
Eid is the name of celebration in the Muslim world. There are three kinds of Eid celebration. One is Eid ul Fitr which comes as a reward after the fasting in the month of Ramadan. Then there is Eid ul Adha which is a remembrance of the sacrifice made by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Last but not the least is the celebration of Eid Milad un Nabi which celebrates the birth and arrival of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him).
Introduction to Eid ul Fitr
Islam is a world’s second largest religion with 1.8 billion followers around the globe. The followers of Islam are known to be Muslims. There are five pillars of Islam which Muslims are obligated to follow. These are:
1. Shahada: Trusting and understanding that God is one. This is declaration of faith
2. Prayer: Every Muslim is obligated to pray five times a day.
3. Zakat: Charity (giving money in the name of God)
4. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah (once in lifetime)
5. Fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Month of Ramadan
Ramadan is a month in Islamic calendar where Muslims from all over the world are obligated to fast. The time for fast starts after eating sehri which is a meal eaten at dawn and then iftar which is a meal eaten late in the evening. After this whole month of fast one develops patience and tolerance to abstain from all evils and control hunger pangs. Ramadan is a special time in the Islamic calendar because after Ramadan we are rewarded with a festival known as Eid ul Fitr is the Eid in Islam most popular.
During this Eid Fitrana is paid which is some charity given to the poor. Islam always gives the poor and needy their share and helps them partake in the celebration of Eid. Next important part is the prayer for which there is no Azan. Muslims men and young boys pray early in the morning in an open space. Women and girls can also pray but mostly the gathering is of male members. They all greet each other after prayer. Special meals like sheer (vermicelli in milk) along with many other dishes are prepared to serve relatives and friends who come home to pay Eid greetings. Mostly people wear new clothes on this occasion and children are given Eidi (some money) as a gift of Eid.
Eid ul Adha
Eid ul Adha has an Islamic history in itself. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) (a prophet) once had a dream that he has to sacrifice his most precious belonging in the name of Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim got worried on this dream since his most precious belonging was his son Hazarat Ismael (AS). He could not decide what to do so he tells his son all that he had dreamt. Hazrat Ismael immediately responded that he should sacrifice him in the name of Allah for no one should be more dear to him than Allah. When Hazrat Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his beloved son he blindfolded himself for it was very difficult for him to do so. However upon opening his eyes he saw a sheep that was slaughtered and his son smiling next to it.
Hazarat Ibrahim thanked Allah and since then 10th Zil Haj is the day when Muslims are supposed to sacrifice an animal in remembrance of this event. Like Eid ul Fitr in Eidul Adha, there is a morning prayer after which everyone greet Eid, sacrifice and animal and distribute it in three parts; one part for the poor, one for relatives and friends and one for themselves.
Eid Milad un Nabi S A A W
Eid Milad un Nabi S A A W is a special day for Muslims since it marks the birth of Prophet (Peace be upon Him). On this day of 12 Rabbi ul Awwal milad congregations are arranged where people recite the Holy Quran, read out translations of verses from Quran, say Naat and tell stories of Prophet from Holy books. On this day shops and streets are lit up and people distribute something sweet to the neighborhood and friends.
However there is some controversy in Islam about the celebration of this particular day. Some Muslim scholars are of opinion that Muslims need not celebrate the birth of Prophet (Peace be upon Him) since it is not a festival told by Allah. Others believe that birth of Prophet is a day that needs celebration.