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Id-Ul-Fitr: Rejoicing in a month of peace & piety
By A.H.G. Ameen
The Eid-Ul-Fitr or Festival of Charity is the culmination of one long month of fasting from dawn to dusk and the invocation of peace through prayers at night.

With the recital of thakbeer, ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…..’ God is great….. reverberating in mosques, Muslims gather in the morning for the festival prayers. It is important that they take a meal before going to the mosque on this day. The family gets together at the first lunch after a period of fasting for one month. The visits of Muslims to their relations is another unique feature on this Eid day.

Eid dawns at a time when the world has turned topsy turvy in its search for peace. Man is not sincere in the search for peace for he has material gains in promoting violence in the name of peace. Islam stands for peace and the Holy Quran says, “Positive effort for the creation and maintenance of harmony and peace among human beings expressed as a great virtue which should never be avoided.” Sura 4:114

Peace and justice
The Holy Prophet always encouraged his followers in the promotion of peace, justice and goodwill among mankind. It is noteworthy that the Quran enjoins peace even with enemies and it is the duty of every Muslim to bring about peace and eschew violence. “Promotion of peace, justice and goodwill among mankind, maintaining the attitude of readiness for making peace with the enemies of Islam in the interest of human welfare enjoined.” Sura 8:61,62
Fasting is ‘Saum’ in Arabic and Eid-ul-Fitr the festival is the culmination of one month of fasting. Strictly speaking it is the day of rejoicing for those who have observed fasting. The literal connotation of the world Id-ul-Fitr is day of charity.

The holy month of Ramazan is a month of peace and piety. All communities observe fasting in some form and it is enjoined on the followers of Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Holy Quran says, “O Ye who believe, prescribed unto you is fasting as it was prescribed unto those before you that haply you may become God conscious.” - Sura 2:183.

There are two significant features in this Quranic verse. Fasting has been ordained on you so it is compulsory that you fast. The second part is that you may become God-fearing and do good deeds. It is not just fasting but purifying yourself spiritually. You must attain ‘Thakwa’. Then it becomes necessary that you engage in ‘Ibadath’, which means good deeds to win the love of Allah, Subhanahu Thaala.

Rewards from Allah
The rewards from Allah for fasting are significant. Allah says; All the deeds of Adam’s children belong to them, except fasting which belongs to Me and I will reward it. Fasting is a shield against hell and against the commission of sins. If one is fasting he is enjoined to avoid sexual relations with his wife. A golden night is said to occur within the last ten days of the month. It is the night of power or honour and decree called the ‘Lailathul Qadr’ which is believed to be better than a thousand months spent in devotion to Allah.

The Holy Quran was revealed during this month. At a time when spiritual values are eroding, the concept of fasting which the Holy Prophet stressed as conducive to peace and harmony among people 1425 years ago, has a special meaning today.

The month of fasting can be divided into three parts of 10 days each. The first part is Rahmath-Blessing of Allah. The second part of ten days is “Mahrifat” – forgiveness and the last part is the “Ihtikum-minan-naar”-the deliverance from the fires of hell. The Holy Prophet used to put extra effort into his devotions during the last ten days of the month of Ramazan. He used to make “I’tikab” (to remain in mosque) by spending the last ten days in the mosque. Abu Hurairah quotes Allah’s Apostle as saying: When the month of Ramazan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and satans are chained.

Battle of Badr
Another significant feature of this month is the historical event that took place on the 17th day of Ramazan. The battle of Badr where only 313 Muslims led by the Holy Prophet faced an army three-fold. The victory of Badr brought a new life, a new light and new vista to Islam.

Fasting has an immense impact on society, for all the Muslims irrespective of their status must observe fasting during the month of Ramazan. A special significance on this occasion is the giving of Zakat (charity). Islam ordains one to give 2.5 percent of one’s wealth to the poor.

Islam through this institution of Zakat purges the hearts of its followers from the love of wealth and inculcates in him the habit to part with it readily for the love of Allah. The concept of Zakat runs through the entire fabric of the community.

Importance of charity
Charity takes precedence over fasting in Islam. There are five basic principles in Islam – 1) Kalima-declaration in one-ness of Allah, 2) Salat – Five times prayers a day, 3) Zakat – Charity to the poor and needy, 4) Saum – Fasting during the month of Ramazan and 5) Hajj - Pilgrimage to the holy mosque in Mecca at least once is obligatory on those who can afford. Zakat takies precedence over fasting. Zakat is compulsory on all Muslims. Holy Quran provides a strong economic system under which Muslim countries ensure plenty of food, peace and harmony among people.

Even today Muslim countries that apply the Quranic economic system do not fail in their welfare schemes for the betterment of their people. There are no excuses in the promotion of peace and the Holy Quran gives priority in the achievement of peace. “And make not Allah’s (name) an excuse in your oath against doing good or acting rightly or making peace between human beings for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth of all things.” Sura 2:224
May peace and harmony blessed by Almighty Allah be on our nation on this unique occasion.

(The writer is President, Council of Muslims of Sri Lanka)

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