Eid al Fitr is a significant festival on the Islamic calendar – Islamic scholar

Eid al-Fitr (also spelled as Eid ul-Fitr or simply Eid) is an Islamic holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. The word “Eid” means “festival” or “feast” in Arabic, while “Fitr” means “breaking the fast”. Hence, Eid al-Fitr literally means “festival of breaking the fast.” In this interview Edugist speaks with Olanrewaju Ridwan Ayanfe (Scripturist), an Islamic scholar and teacher at Al-Basair Islamic Model Schools, Osooro Street, Ore, Ondo State and a part-time Islamic Studies Teacher at Taawun School, Iree Branch, Osun state. He shares why Muslims are expected to listen to the prophetic guidelines given by Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and gives scholastic views on Ramadan, the significance of the celebration and who should fast. Excerpts

What is the significance of Eid al Fitr in Islamic tradition, and how is it celebrated?

Eid al Fitr is a significant festival on the Islamic calendar. This holiday marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. During this time, Muslims not only celebrate the end of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting but also thank Allah for the Quran, which was first revealed towards the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr(Arabic: عيد الفطر), also known as the “Smaller Eid” is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, welcoming the new month of Shawwal and lasts for a period of three days. Mandatory charity, or Zakat, specifically Zakat al-Fitr (Zakat of Eid Al-Fitr) is offered to the poor by every financially-able Muslim (preferably prior to the offering of the prayer) to ensure that those who are less fortunate may also participate in the joyous holiday.During the Eid celebration, Muslims greet each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’, which is Arabic for “Blessed Eid”. As it comes after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and consumed during the celebration. It is a celebration of victory in completing the fast and the overcoming of personal struggles during the Ramadan, as well as a time of forgiveness and strengthening of bonds amongst family members and relatives.

These celebrations during Eid al-Fitr vary from country to country but include visiting family and friends, giving presents, enjoying feasts, wearing new clothes, and visiting the graves of relatives. Through these celebrations, Muslims show their gratitude to Allah after reflecting and fasting during Ramadan. At the end of Ramadaan Allaah has prescribed that Muslims must always say the takbeer (Allah’s rememberance through mouth and hearts): Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allaah).  Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [Al-Baqarah 2:185]. All these guidelines of celebrating eid are well stated in the prophetic sayings of prophet Muhammad particularly in the two compilation of Hadiths known as Sahihayn.I would love to summarise them as follows:

1. Pray salat ul-fajr, the pre-dawn prayer.

2. Recite the takbir. 

3. Perform the Eid prayer

4. Cook and Eat halal meal dishes.

5. Donate food to charity

6. Visit relatives and give them gifts.

7. Give gifts to children.

8. Share love. Etc.

2. How can I ensure that my Eid celebrations align with Islamic values and principles?

Muslims are expected to listen to the prophetic guidelines given by Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as rightly preaced by Islamic Scholars.Some of the guidelines are:The Eid prayers take place without the customary calling of the Adhan or Iqama (arabic call to prayer), which is normally called before every Salah. 

This is per the traditional narration by Jabir sin Samurah, who had prayed Eid Salah behind Muhammad, and noted that the calls were not made.Another specific characteristic of the Eid prayer is the number of Takbir, or calling of the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (“God is Great”) performed in each Rakat (unit of prayer) of Salah. The Takbir for regular Salah (as well as most sunnah and special Salah) is called only once at the start with repetitions between steps of the prayer. 

According to Hadith narrated by ‘Amr bin Shuaib over certified generations, Muhammad completed seven  takbirs in the first rakah of the Eid prayer and 5 in the second, then began with the recitation of the Quran.[14] The Hanafis complete three  takbirs before reciting Quran in the first rak’ah and 3 takbirs after reciting Quran before prostrating.Islamic adherents are also obliged perform congregational prayers on this day. Eid prayers also referred to as Salat al-Eid (Arabic: صلاة العيد), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word “Eid” in Arabic is “festival” or “feast” and is a time when Muslims congregate with family and the larger Muslim community to celebrate.

What are some recommended acts of worship during the month of Ramadan, and how can I continue practising these after Eid El Fitr?

Ramadan fasting is a school of spiritual observance, with many acts of worship and laced with many good deeds, Muslims are advised to keep the level of spirituality they have attained persistent as Allah stated in The Glorious Qur’an: ──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────

Surah Al-Baqarah

Verse 183

──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil),

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

During Ramadan, many Muslims go to the mosque and spend several hours praying. In addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam, Muslims recite a special prayer called the Tarawih prayer (night prayer).

On the evening of the 27th day of the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a special night called Layat al-Qadr sometimes referred to as the Night of Power. It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received Quranic revelation. Muslims are obliged to always do good and practice pristine Islam as Allah says in Al Quran, Surah 2:208

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِى ٱلسِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy. Therefore, there’s a need to keep one’s consistent and persistent in the worship of Allah even after the Ramadan fasting, this can only be done via constant listening to Islamic lectures which will keep renewing and reactivating our hearts because Allah described humans hearts as forgetful and need a constant reminder. Allah says: Ar-Ra’d 13:28

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ 

English – Sahih International. Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allāh. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allāh hearts are assured.”

How can I involve my children in the spirit of Eid, and teach them about its significance?

Parents should convene their children to make them happy since Eid-ul-ftr is a festival of joy and celebration. They should conduct brief and concise enlightenment on Eid as a celebration that brings about a lot of happiness in everyone’s lives. It serves as a reward to people who fast the whole month and enjoy Eid like it’s their feast. In other words, it is a reward for all the good deeds people have done during Ramadan. Thus, it spreads joy and brotherhood.

 Are there any specific dua or prayers that are recommended to be recited on Eid El Fitr?</b

At the end of Ramadaan Allaah has prescribed that Muslims must always say the takbeer (Allah’s rememberance through mouth and hearts): Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allaah).  Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Greatest)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [Al-Baqarah 2:185].

How do you cope with students during this fasting period, how do you rate their contribution to learning and assimilation?

Ramadan fasting is a blessing to all Muslims, as the teachers advised the capable students to fast, while the little ones are not obligated to do so, they were just guided to fast within a short period then they will break their fast, just to ensure they are also building themselves, little by little. When should children start fasting?

Fasting is not obligatory for young children until they reach the age of adolescence. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The pens have been lifted from three: from one who has lost his mind until he comes back to his senses, from one who is sleeping until he wakes up, and from a child until he reaches the age of adolescence.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 4399; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud) 

Nevertheless, children should be told too fast so that they can get used to it, and because the good deeds that they do will be recorded for them. 

While the senior students did fast, students and teachers are happy that according to the school calendar, school activities ended before the third part of Ramadan starting from 21-29.

As it’s generally accepted that the intake and teachers of a well-balanced diet provide the energy you need to keep active throughout the day, nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness, such as some cancers. Since Islamic adherents are denied of these during the days, but we thank Allah, at the early period of the fasting, we both strived not to make the fasting weaken us both in the manner of te. aching, while the students also tried to assimilate irrespective of the fasting, but then at the middle many schools have been doing their exams which make things a little bit easier.

What makes this year’s fasting unique ahead of other years?

Ramadan fasting is always unique among all Islamic prescribed fasts, but this year Ramadan is unique because its celebration comes with two powerful celebrations: eidulftr and Eid Al-jumu’ah. As Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah has made this day of Friday a celebration for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday prayer, let him bathe himself, apply perfume if he has it, and use the toothstick.” Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 1098, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani.

Now let’s imagine how glorious today is, it’s a combination of two Islamic celebrations, that’s one which makes this Ramadan one of the unique Ramadans.