In view of the following directive of Allah, Muslims are getting ready to celebrate Eid-ul Fitr after the successful completion of Ramadan fasting.
“He wants that you must complete the same number (of days) and that you must magnify Allah (ie to say Takbir [Allahu Akbar; Allah is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you must be grateful to Him (2:185)”
All deeds in Islam cover with their own spiritual beauty because of their directions from the Lord of the Worlds. This beauty is what the world of Muslims enjoy in its full form in the celebration of Eid.
Yes, it is a marvellous scene to observe that all believing men and women, particularly, boys and girls start enjoying with excitement at the very sight of the first moon of Shawwal. They, who dream about the day of Eid long before the first moon of shawwal comes into view, find delight in burning the midnight oil on the penultimate night of Eid by preparing themselves to get an exquisite appearance on the day of Eid.
In fact, Muslims celebrate the day of Eid as a day of Triumph and a symbol of thanksgiving to Allah for giving them an opportunity and strength to carry out the moral, spiritual and physical test during the month of Ramadan. The tests in Ramadan covers all the sense of organs of Muslims especially their souls by turning down all types of lawful desires for the sake of their Lord.
The celebration in Islam begins with the chants of Takbir; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Lailaha Illallah, Allahu Akbar which means “ Allah is the Most Great there is not deity, But Allah. God is the Greatest; and all the praises to Allah alone”. The next important activity to be performed by a Muslim upon the sight of Eid moon is the distribution of Zakat Al Fitr which cleans his body, mind and soul in order to qualify him to proclaim the chants of Takbir; the Glory of God. That leads the Muslims to their actual absorption in Praise and Prayer.
Allah says: “Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success, and remembers (glorifies) the name of his Lord and prays” (87:14-15)
The Zakathul Firtr aims at an eradication of poverty of the Muslim destitute on the day of Eid. In addition, it will make up the idle deeds and shameful talks committed by the distributor of Zakat Al Firtr during his fasting days. It also acts as a cord between the rich and the poor within the Islamic community.
The third and the most important activity is the Eid Prayer with Sermon which is to be conducted in an open ground in which all men, women and children should take part. Subsequent to the prayer, the Muslims have to visit their nears and dears with a view to exchange Eid greetings with loving and peaceful hearts.
Celebration, therefore, in Islam is an occasion to do more and more righteous deeds and not as an occasion to take a vacation from the Islamic responsibilities and commitments or to waste time and money in extravagance.
Although the significance of Eid is purely spiritual, the day should be made so lovely and delightful without shedding its value of holiness. Imam Bukhari reported that the Prophet allowed two girls who were singing the songs of Pre Islamic War Lore with a duff beating on it on the day of Eid at his wife, Aysha’s house.(Bukhari) . This means that Islam allows its followers to enjoy everything lawfully but without overstepping the bounds of their limits.
In conclusion, Eid is also a valuable occasion for Muslims to take pledge with the Almighty God to give a new lease of life in their rest of lives under the spirit of mental and physical training which they have had during the month of Ramadan so that they would be able to harvest the fruit of peaceful life.