Sarwat Husain/Express News-4 Oct 08
The Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, is a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar that Muslims follow.
Ramadan, one of the “five pillars” of Islam, is the month in which Muslims fast from the break of dawn to dusk. During this time they restrain themselves from food, drink, smoking, sensual pleasures, fighting or arguing while also focusing on giving a lot in charity. The goal is that every practicing Muslim will be transformed.
Fasting is obligatory for any healthy Muslim who is over the age of puberty. Young children, the sick, the elderly and the mentally challenged are exempt from fasting, while pregnant women, nursing mothers and travelers are also excused temporarily, but should fulfill the obligation later. Ramadan is also the month in which the holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the holy Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (Quran 2:185).
According to Islamic beliefs, Ramadan is also the month in which the Old and New Testaments were revealed. The Quran also says, “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).” (2:183).
Eid al-Fitr, which falls on the first day of the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, is the most celebrated holiday in the Muslim world. The holiday starts with a communal prayer followed by a short sermon by the imam reminding people of the lessons they should learn from Ramadan for the rest of the year about their responsibilities and obligations to God and fellow human beings.
Zakat ul-Fitr, charity of the fast breaking, has to be given to the mosque before the prayers of the Eid. The imam calculates the amount per person. The mosques then arrange for meals for the poor, allowing everyone to partake in the joys of Eid.
Throughout the three-day Eid holiday, Muslims visit family and friends to exchange gifts and greetings. Special sweets are prepared for the celebration.
After not eating or drinking anything during daylight hours — it was for 14 hours this Ramadan — we have the surety that we will have enough to eat when the time comes to break the fast. It also makes us realize what it must be like for people who are not so fortunate.
This year Eid al-Fitr was celebrated Tuesday, with early morning communal prayers at the Convention Center downtown, which brought 3,000 Muslims of San Antonio together to remember God's bounties and to celebrate his glory and greatness with the health, strength and opportunities of life that is given to them so that they could perform the duty of fasting.
After the prayers, there were lots of parties arranged at many homes and then a grand finale of an open house at Rogers Ranch given by Mr. and Mrs. Dhanani, where a number of Muslims gathered where there was variety of scrumptious foods and lots of different activities for children. This Eid will end with a picnic on Sunday for all the Muslims of San Antonio and surrounding areas. In order not to forget our civic duty, we will also be holding our big voters registration drive at the picnic.
We wish the same joy that we experience at Eid time to the Jewish community as they celebrate their High Holy Days this week and next and to the Christian community as they look forward to Christmas.
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Islamic finance & mgmt consulting: www.alfalahconsulting.com
Islamic finance & mgmt consultant: www.ahmad-sanusi-husain.com
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