Festivals in Gujarat - Ramadan, Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha
With the new moon arrives, the festival starts with the end of 'Ramadan', a month when Muslims fast also called as Roza whole day and eat only at night. Eid-Al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawaal, the 10th month in Muslim calendar after end of long fast during the month of Ramadan.
Festivals in Gujarat - Ramadan, Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha
I am writing this article so everyone get the knowledge of what is Ramadan and what are the practices Muslim perform during Ramadan.
I am also writing about Ramadan Eid and Bakari Eid.Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr
With the new moon arrives, the festival starts with the end of 'Ramadan', a month when Muslims fast also called as Roza whole day and eat only at night after finishing fast with all family member which is major highlight of celebration. It was in the month of ramzan the holy Quran was revealed. Eid Greetings is exchanged and recurring happiness or festivity.
Eid-Al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawaal, the 10th month in Muslim calendar after end of long fast during the month of Ramadan.
For the year of 1432 Hijri (Muslim calander year), the first day of Ramadan was August 1st, 2011.
A very important practice of eid is the charity, all the Muslims extends to needy in form of cash or gift. Al-Fitr means breaking of fast so called Eid-Al-Fitr. Fasting is third pillar of Islam which has many benefits, One of them and the most important is to learn self-control.Following Practices are followed during the month of Ramadan
FASTING
It is mandatory for all Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, as long they are healthy and have no illnesses or disabilities. While fasting eating, drinking, resistance of all temtations is more encourage as well as among spouses sexual intercource is prohibited. During fasting Purity of actions and thoughts is important.READING QURAN AND PRAYERS
Muslim recitation of entire Quran during this month along with Fasting. Special prayer called Tarawih is performed in Masjid every night during which whole Quran is recited.IFTAR (FAST BREAKING)
Muslim do fast from Dawn to Sunset. Along with their family they break fast. This meal is called IFTAR. Iftar starts with eating of three dates.LAYLAT-AL-QADR
Laylat-Al-Qadr is consider the biggest and most holy night of the year. It occurs during the odd-number night of the last 10 day of Ramadan i.e. 21th, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. CHARITY
All the Muslims extends to needy in form of cash or gift. Month of Ramadan is particularly blessed time for charity as the reward is 70 times more than any other time of the year.EID-AL-FITR
Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of fasting. Eid-Al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawaal, the 10th month in Muslim calendar after end of long fast during the month of Ramadan. Eid may falls after 29th or 30th day of Ramadan after sighting of Lunar. All wear nice cloths and attends Salat-Al-Eid (Eid Prayer) in the morning. Relatives visit each other home and prepare special dishes, beverages and deserts. Children receives gifts from parents and relatives.
The second important Eid celebration is called Eid-Al-Adha.
Eid-Al-Adha or Bakri-Eid
Bakri-Eid also called Eid-Al-Adha is the festival of sacrifice, Commitment, self-sacrifice and obedience to Allah. This festival is celebrated as a Festival of
Sacrifice by Muslims. On the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah i.e. the last month of the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims in Makkah who can afford can do sacrifies of animals usually sheep.
On this day, goats are sacrificed as an offering.
They dress up in new clothes and go to masjid and offer Salalt-Al-Eid (Eid Prayer) followed by sacrifice. The meat is distributed to family, relatives and needy people. Children receives gifts from parents and relatives.Eid-Al-Adha History
The history of Eid-Al-Adha / Bakri-Eid starts during the time of Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Ibrahim dream of being commanded by Allah to sacrifice his only son Ismail age 13 years old. When Ibrahim revealed to him about Allah's command, he was surprised to see the boy was happy to sacrifieced for Allah. When Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his boy, Allah commanded and boy was replaced by lamb. The sacrifice is made in the name of Allah, then sacrificed is divided into three portions: One is for personal consumption, another part is distributed amongst friends and relatives and the third part to be given to the poor and needy.
