Ramzan Id or Id-Ul-Fitr is an important festival of Muslims. Id-Ul-Fitr marks the end of holy month Ramzan or Ramadan. Read on to find more about Ramzan and Id-Ul-Fitr. Id-Ul-Fitr is celebrated the accross the globe on the tenth lunar month of the Islamic calendar every year. It is preceded by Ramzan or Ramadan, which is another month of the Muslim calendar. Id-Ul-Fitr of Ramzan always falls on the first of Shawaal, which refers to the tenth lunar month. Ramzan literally means the celebration of the breaking of fast. Some Islamic scholars also believe that Fitr comes from the Urdu word ‘Fatar’ which means ‘breaking’. Then there are others who believe that ‘Fatar’ means ‘alms’. Still another school of thought believes that Fitr comes from ‘Fitrat’ or ‘nature’, and it refers to festival marking Allah’s high nobility in providing man with nature, or humanitarian qualities. In this articleHistory behind Ramzan ID or Id-Ul-FitrFasting During Ramzan or Ramadan MonthRituals Follwed during RamzanRamzan Id Festivities History behind Ramzan ID or Id-Ul-Fitr According to legend, in 610 AD angel Gabriel appeared before Muhammad when he was meditating on Mount Hira. It was then the Gabriel referred to him as Prophet Muhammad, which means the “Messenger of God”. The holy book Quran came down on earth on this very day and the entire creation praised Allah for his benevolence. Muhammad was enlightened on the preaching of Quran and from then on, he is considered to be the spiritual guide for people who dedicate themselves to the spreading of the message of Allah. Since this incident is believed to have taken place in the month of Ramadan or Ramzan, when the birth of a new world religion was formed, it is celebrated as Ramzan Id. Fasting During Ramzan or Ramadan Month There are certain rituals by which Ramzan Id is celebrated, fasting is the most important amongst them. A pious Muslim is expected to fast during the entire month of Ramadan and spend the day in prayers and read the Quran. The 21st and the 22nd day of the month is spent in mourning in memory of Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali, who is believed to have laid down his life for Islam. Rituals Follwed during Ramzan Every morning of this holy month of Ramzan, men, women and children are expected to wake up at the crack of dawn, take their bath, wear new or clean clothes, apply ittar, eat date or any other sweet and enter the mosque for prayers. They must make sure that they have their meal ‘Sehri’ before sunrise. During the entire day after ‘Sheri’ they are not supposed to take in any food or water. They can break their fast only after sunset. The objective of the fasting is to exercise self control and cleanse the body and soul. It is a sort of a reminder for them to lead an honourable life and remember the sufferings that Prophet Muhammad and his descendants went through for the sake of their religion. Men should wear white as it is a symbol of soberness and purity. Ramzan Id Festivities According to Quran, every Muslim on earth is worthy of a dole or ‘Pital’. Id is a celebration of brotherhood, where alms or gifts are exchanged so that each needy person receives a Thanksgiving on this auspicious occasion. Each individual is supposed to receive 3.5 lbs of wheat or flour or 7 lbs of barley or the amount of their cost. Goats are sacrificed at the end of the day in the traditional ‘hallal’ way and distributed amongst families, relatives, friends and neighbours and the poor. After offering the alms, the Muslims visit their chief priest or the Qazi and request him to conduct the congregational prayers. They seek forgiveness for their sins and pray to Allah to bequeath them with well-being and prosperity. Then they return and visit their friends and relatives for ‘Id Milan’ and the festivities begin in full swing through shopping at the local bazaars and feasting. Everyone is greeted with an ‘Id Mubarak’ and a warm hug, marking the celebration of joy and brotherhood. Irrespective of religious affiliations, Id is an occasion where every person is interested to be a part of. It is s celebration of brotherhood, joy and thanksgiving and an opportunity to savour the traditional exotic delights like Sher Kurma (Vermicelli Dessert) that is served by traditional Muslim households to their guests and friends.
Ramzan Id or Id-Ul-Fitr is an important festival of Muslims. Id-Ul-Fitr marks the end of holy month Ramzan or Ramadan. Read on to find more about Ramzan and Id-Ul-Fitr. Id-Ul-Fitr is celebrated the accross the globe on the tenth lunar month of the Islamic calendar every year. It is preceded by Ramzan or Ramadan, which is another month of the Muslim calendar.
Id-Ul-Fitr of Ramzan always falls on the first of
Shawaal, which refers to the tenth lunar month.
Ramzan literally means the celebration of the breaking of fast.
Some Islamic scholars also believe that Fitr comes from the Urdu word ‘Fatar’ which means ‘breaking’. Then there are others who believe that ‘Fatar’ means ‘alms’. Still another school of thought believes that Fitr comes from ‘Fitrat’ or ‘nature’, and it refers to festival marking Allah’s high nobility in providing man with nature, or humanitarian qualities.
History behind Ramzan ID or Id-Ul-Fitr
According to legend, in 610 AD angel Gabriel appeared before Muhammad when he was meditating on Mount Hira. It was then the Gabriel referred to him as Prophet Muhammad, which means the “Messenger of God”. The holy book Quran came down on earth on this very day and the entire creation praised Allah for his benevolence. Muhammad was enlightened on the preaching of Quran and from then on, he is considered to be the spiritual guide for people who dedicate themselves to the spreading of the message of Allah. Since this incident is believed to have taken place in the month of Ramadan or Ramzan, when the birth of a new world religion was formed, it is celebrated as Ramzan Id.
Fasting During Ramzan or Ramadan Month
There are certain rituals by which Ramzan Id is celebrated, fasting is the most important amongst them. A pious Muslim is expected to fast during the entire month of Ramadan and spend the day in prayers and read the Quran. The 21st and the 22nd day of the month is spent in mourning in memory of Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali, who is believed to have laid down his life for Islam.
Rituals Follwed during Ramzan
Every morning of this holy month of Ramzan, men, women and children are expected to wake up at the crack of dawn, take their bath, wear new or clean clothes, apply ittar, eat date or any other sweet and enter the mosque for prayers. They must make sure that they have their meal ‘Sehri’ before sunrise. During the entire day after ‘Sheri’ they are not supposed to take in any food or water. They can break their fast only after sunset.
The objective of the fasting is to exercise self control and cleanse the body and soul. It is a sort of a reminder for them to lead an honourable life and remember the sufferings that Prophet Muhammad and his descendants went through for the sake of their religion. Men should wear white as it is a symbol of soberness and purity.
Ramzan Id Festivities
According to Quran, every Muslim on earth is worthy of a dole or ‘Pital’. Id is a celebration of brotherhood, where alms or gifts are exchanged so that each needy person receives a Thanksgiving on this auspicious occasion. Each individual is supposed to receive 3.5 lbs of wheat or flour or 7 lbs of barley or the amount of their cost.
Goats are sacrificed at the end of the day in the traditional ‘hallal’ way and distributed amongst families, relatives, friends and neighbours and the poor. After offering the alms, the Muslims visit their chief priest or the Qazi and request him to conduct the congregational prayers.
They seek forgiveness for their sins and pray to Allah to bequeath them with well-being and prosperity. Then they return and visit their friends and relatives for ‘Id Milan’ and the festivities begin in full swing through shopping at the local bazaars and feasting. Everyone is greeted with an ‘Id Mubarak’ and a warm hug, marking the celebration of joy and brotherhood.
Irrespective of religious affiliations, Id is an occasion where every person is interested to be a part of. It is s celebration of brotherhood, joy and thanksgiving and an opportunity to savour the traditional exotic delights like Sher Kurma (Vermicelli Dessert) that is served by traditional Muslim households to their guests and friends.
