Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal [i]. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month in which Muslims practice fasting (Sawm). This Feast (Eid) is considered one of the most prominent occasions in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by all Muslims around the world. But what is it that makes this feast (Eid) a special day for Muslims?

What Does Eid signify in Islamic culture?

“Eid” is derived from the verb “عَوَدَ: Avad’ah” in Arabic, which literally means “to go back”. In Islamic culture, days in which people have been relieved of hardships and catastrophes, and go back to good days of prosperity and happiness, are called Eid.

Why is the first of Shawwal called Eid al-Fitr for Muslims?

Two features make The First of Shawwal, Eid or as we call it the Feast of Fitr:

1. The Physical Hardship of Fasting (Sawm) Is Over

On this day, Muslims are again allowed to eat and drink, and the obligation to fast is lifted from them. In fact, the word “Fitr” literally means “beginning to eat and drink”. And “Iftar” means to start eating and drinking after some time. Now consider Eid al-Fitr something like daily Iftar, but on a greater scale. This is Iftar after a whole month of fasting.

2. Your Efforts Are Rewarded by Allah

Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is a special day. A day that is chosen by Allah. After a month of submission to His will and doing what it takes to get nearer to Him, and win His satisfaction, now is the time to enjoy the outcome. Allah pardons our sins, spreads His forgiveness and rains down His blessings.

As He has promised in the Quran, “…forgiveness and a great reward” (35:33) are prepared for those who fast. This is, indeed, a blessing that comes true in this world. A pleasure that Muslims experience in this world, as well as Hereafter.

So why not be happy on this day? This is a new day for Muslims, in which they go back to the time when they had not committed any sins yet. Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is a chance for them to start over.

A New Person, A New Life

To start fresh, one should put behind old habits, those actions that harmed one’s self or were harmful to others. Now that we are relieved from the burden of our mistakes, sins, and regrets, born again, pure and innocent, we should protect this gift dearly. From this day on, what counts is our future actions [ii].

Zakat al-Fitr: The Lesson of Fasting in Practice

On the day of Eid, Muslims are required to pay a certain amount of money if they can afford, that is called Zakat al-Fitr. Giving Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory, provided that the person him/herself is not poor. It marks the fulfillment of the act of fasting.

The amount of this kind of charity depends on the type of usual main food consumed by the believer during the year, which may be rice, wheat, barley, dates, etc. [2]. This amount is given to the poor people of the society or those who are underprivileged.

Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is the realization of the lessons Muslims have learned during the 30-day fasting of Ramadan. Muslims give away part of what they consume daily of food or drinks to the poor and destitute. And they learn that in this world there are things that are far more important than bodily desires. That is humanity and the love for human beings.

Moreover, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to wash away themselves from the vices of this world. Similarly, Zakat frees the soul from the weakness of depending too much on material matters and thus, is a way to complete the effect of fasting.

Give Thanks to Allah for this Happiness and Relief

Allah has given us the chance to become a new person and mark a turning point in our lives. Shouldn’t we be grateful for this reward? We praise Allah “for He has shown us the Right Path.” And give thanks “to Him for that which He has conferred upon us” [iii]. This is where the prayer of Eid al-Fitr finds its meaning.

Eid al-Fitr Prayer (Salat): A Great Social Occasion

One of the recommended acts on this day is to perform a two-unit (Raka’a) prayer. Muslims all around the world, gather together in their mosques and form a great and unified social occasion. In the Qunut [v] of this prayer, we give thanks to Allah for pardoning our previous sins. And we ask for His help in doing what is good and in protecting our newly gifted purity in the future.

Imam Ali (AS) believed that Muslims should be reminded of the Day of Judgment, at the time of standing for the prayer of Eid al-Fitr. As if they are standing in front of Allah [iv].

Any Day Can Be an Eid, only if…

Eid is a going back, a change to a better self. So whenever one keeps him/herself from committing sins, from lying, backbiting, slandering, offending, etc. he/ she is celebrating an Eid. Similarly, the day of Eid loses its meaning if one goes on to do whatever wrong he/she used to do. As Imam Ali (AS) puts: “Any day that you do not disobey Allah (or commit sins) is your Eid”[4].

Notes:

[i] Tenth month of the Islamic Calendar.

[ii] Imam Ali (AS) said: “ O’ servants of Allah! Beware that the least outcome for the fasting men and women is that on the last day of Ramadan, an angel would call upon them that ‘O’ servants of Allah! I bring you the glad tidings of Allah’s pardon of your past sins, so be careful how you act from now on” [1].

[iii] It is a famous invocation from Imam Reza (AS) remained from Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah:

"اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ لِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا وَ لَهُ الشُّكْرُ عَلَى مَا أَوْلانَا"

“Allah is Great. Allah is Great. There is no god save Allah. And Allah is Great.Allah is Great. All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah for He has shown us the Right Path. All thanks be to Him for that which He has conferred upon us”

[iv] Imam Ali (AS) said: “when you leave your houses to perform Eid’s prayer, remember the time when you are resurrected from your graves and go toward Allah. When you stand to perform the prayer, think of the time you are facing divine justice and are examined for your actions. When you go back to your houses from the prayer, remember the time when you go back to your dwelling places in heaven” [3].

[v] The action of reciting a supplication while keeping the hands in front of the face, turning the palms facing upwards, and keeping both the hands and the fingers close together in the standing position of prayer (Salat).

References:

1. Sheikh al-Saduq, Al-Amali, p.100, hadith no. 10.
2. Yasin T. Al-Jibouri, Fast of the Month of Ramadhan: Philosophy and Ahkam, p. 111. 
3. Eid al Fitr
4. Nahj al-Balaghah, wisdom no. 428.

1. The World in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

This world is a bridge, pass it and don't get attached. 

Sheikh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.43.

2. You Reap What You Sow

Everyone is after the reward [that comes at the end], and no one will get it except through hard work. 

Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 22083.

3. The Lasting Lights

Good for the ones who pray at the heart of the night; those are the ones who will inherit a lasting light. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.510.

4. Faithfulness in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

A tree is perfected only through giving fruit, as faithfulness is only accomplished through avoiding what is forbidden (Haram). 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.511.

5. Beware of Your Eyes

Be careful about what you are looking at since the mere act of looking [at something inappropriate] will put the seed of desire in your heart, which would later turn into a disaster. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.502. 

6. Most Cherished Ones

Good for the ones who make amends among people; those are the most cherished on the Day of Judgement.

 Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.501. 

7. Servants of This World

O' servants of the world! You are like a lamp that gives light to people and burns itself instead. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500324.

8. Modesty in Private and Public

As you present modesty and humbleness among people in public, be modest and humble with regard to God in private.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500325.

9. A Fruitful Heart in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

Verily, planting is only possible on arable land, not a barren one. Similarly, wisdom only grows in a humble and ready heart, not an arrogant and prejudiced one. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500332.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone looks upon the stars, but none finds his/her way using them, except the one who knows their places and how they work. Similarly, you will learn wisdom, but only the one who practices wisdom will be guided.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500336.

11. Inappropriate Words' Echoes 

Any offensive and inappropriate word that you say today will be responded later on the Day of Judgement.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500341.

12. Patience in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s Words

Water puts the fire out, just as patience calms anger down.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500347.

13. Perfect Faith as Jesus Christ (PBUH) Describes 

Water and soil are the determining factors for a good harvest, just as knowledge and manner are the keys to perfect faith. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500350.

14. Don't Be Just After this World 

The one who is only after this world is like a person drinking seawater; the more he drinks, the more he gets thirsty and finally will bring him death. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.149.

15. This World and The World that Is to Come

Jesus Christ (PBUH) said to the apostles: "As much as you get tired in this world, you will rest in the other world, and as much as you rest in this world, you'll get exhausted on the world that is to come."

Ismaiil Jawuhari Farabi, Al-Sahah, vol.1, p.225.

16. The Root of All Evil

Beware that the root of all evil lies in loving this world extremely. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.129.

17. Water and Fire

Loving this world and striving for the other world cannot come together in a believer's heart, as water and fire cannot be put together on a plate. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.131.

18. God's Friends 

If you want to be among God's friends and chosen ones, be kind to the one who does you wrong, and forgive the one who has done you an injustice, and greet the one who turns his face from you.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.503.

19. A Magnificent Person 

Whoever knows and brings what he knows into practice and teaches others, is considered a magnificent person in Allah's regard.

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.82.

20. The Most Wretched One

The most wretched among you is the one who is only known by his/her knowledge, not his/her deeds. 

Bihar al-Anvar, vol.2, p.52.