Eid ul Fitr

"O Allah! Bless us in the day of our Eid and our fast breaking and let it be the best day that has passed over us."

Imam Ali Zainul Ãbedeen (AS) Sahifa Al Sajjadiyya

Eid is an Arabic word derived from root of a-w-d. Literally it means a recurring event. In Islam it denotes the festivals of Islam. The word Eid occurs in the Qur'an once meaning a joyous recurring occasion.

"Isa the son of Maryam said “O Allah, our Lord! send down to us food from heaven which should be to us a Eid (joyous recurring occasion), to the first of us and for last of us, and a sign from You, and grant us means of subsistence, and You are the best of Providers."

Qur'an Suratul Maida 5:114

Human history has known festivals from the earliest days of man on earth. Man has celebrated festivals ever since he knew communal life. Ancient Egyptians had one called the day of adornment. It was during one such festival that Prophet Musa (AS) defeated the magicians. (Qur'an Suratu Taha 20:57-59).

Eid ul Fitr is the festival that marks the end of the month of Ramadhan. “Fitr” means “to break” and it therefore marks the breaking of the fasting period and of all evil habits. Happiness is observed at attaining spiritual upliftment after a month of fasting.

Imam Ali (AS) has said that Eid is a day of happiness for those whose fasts and prayers have been accepted by Allah. He has also said that Eid is the day in which one has not committed any sins.

>> Importance and performances recommended for the night of Eid ul Fitr

Zakat ul Fitr

During Ramadhan we become familiar with the experience of the needy and poor who stay hungry not out of choice but because of lack of food. By fasting we appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah and become charitable towards those in need. As if to re enforce the idea in our minds, Allah has made a wajib charity of Zakat ul Fitr at the end of Ramadhan.

1.       Fitra becomes wajib after the moon of Shawwal is sighted upon a person who is baligh, intelligent & sane and for his/her dependants (these include guests.) Fitra is not wajib on a needy person (faqeer) or a slave.

2.       Fitra must be given from that which is the staple food of the giver like wheat, barley, dates, raisins, rice, milk etc. The amount is approximately 3 kg of the food or it's cash value.

3.       It is to be given to a needy person (faqeer) who is not able to meet the living expenses for himself and his dependants for a year nor has the means of earning a livelihood.

4.       A non seyyid cannot give Fitra to a seyyid (one from the progeny of the Prophet SAW)

5.       It is ehtiyate wajib to set aside Fitra before Eid salaa and for those not praying Eid salaa before Dhuhr.

6.       Fitra is a zaka and can also be used for the works where zaka is used.

Salaa of Eid ul Fitr

1. It is only wajib in the presence of the Imam of the time. i.e. they were wajib upto the ghaibat of Imam Muhammad Mahdi (AS). However it is mustahab to pray Salaatul Eid. It is prayed in jama'a or individually.
2. The time is from sunrise to Dhuhr.
3. It is recommended that women should not go to pray Salaatul Eid in jama'a (congregation).
4. It consists of two rakaats of salaa. It is recommended that after Suratul Hamd in the first rakat one should recite Suratul A'ala (sura 87) and in the second rakat after Suratul Hamd recite Suratush Shams (91). In the first rakat, after the second Sura, do five Takbeers and recite Qunoot after each Takbeer. Do a sixth Takbeer and go to rukoo. In the second rakat, after the second Sura do 4 Takbeers and recite recite Qunoot after each Takbeer. Then do a fifth Takbeer and go to rukoo. After salaa, recite tasbee of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (AS)

Recommended a'mal for the day of Eid

1. Ghusl of Eid.
2. Wear clean neat clothes and apply perfume.
3. Begin breakfast with dates or a sweet dish.
4. Recite Ziyarat e Waritha.
5. Recite Dua e Nudba.