Eid al-Fitr is a day of great merriment and thanksgiving, a day of feasting and exchanging gifts, but most of all, this day marks one of the most important and joyous dates for Muslims since it has a spiritual significance for them. During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims thank Allah for providing them the strength to get through with their month-long fasting.
American Muslims, along with Muslims in several other countries celebrate this joyful day by gathering with friends and family. Like Eid Al Adha, Eid Al-Fitr begins early in the morning with a prayer held in a large, open area (Musalla) or in mosques. Before the Eid prayer, many Muslims recite the Takbir, a declaration of faith, which underlying purpose is to praise Allah (SWT) and give thanks to him. On the way to the prayer ground, Muslims give special charitable contributions known as Zakat al-Fitr, a charity that goes to poorer families who cannot otherwise engage in the festivities.
Most Muslims in the United States perform the Eid prayer in big-city Islamic centers, convention halls or open parks. They also join big parties sponsored either by a community mosques or Islamic centers or by wealthy Muslims in the community. In fact Eid celebrations in the United States are like a bouquet of flowers of different colors and cultures, since Muslims living in America come from different nationalities and have their own traditions and customs to celebrate Eid. Children receive gifts, and all participants enjoy sweet, spicy and other flavorful delicacies from different countries and cultures. Living in America, gives Muslims the opportunity to experience different customs and traditions of celebrating Eid.
According to a Hadith attributed to Anas Ibn Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were instituted by the Prophet after his journey from Mecca to Medina.
“When the Prophet arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they used to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked them about the nature of these festivities to which they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two days (of festivity) instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha”.
According to the Fiqh Council of North America and the ISNA, it is expected that the Eid of the year 1445/2024 in America will correspond to 10 April 2024.
Assabile.com will inform you of the date of Eid Al-Fitr. May the blessing Of Allah (SWT) fill your life with happiness, success, and good health!
Written by: Amine Hilal
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