Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Eid al-Fitr and Its Philosophy (Part One)
Abstract:
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important celebrations and holidays for Muslims. Eid al-Fitr is the celebration of the saints of Allah and those who fast, as if they have stolen the lead from others, and are called on this day to receive their rewards and gifts. Eid al-Fitr is one of the two great Islamic celebrations about which countless Hadiths and narrations have been made. Fasting Muslims who have spent the month of Ramadan abstaining from eating, drinking, and many other permissible acts now, after the end of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal, ask Allah for their reward—the reward that Allah Himself has promised them.
Just as Eid is a day of joy and adornment that Allah loves to show His blessings on His servants, it is also a manifestation of the Hanif religion and a sign of the rituals of Islam. Eid has strict rules and customs, the most important of which is the Eid prayer.
Introduction:
In Islamic culture, the first day of Shawwal is designated as Eid al-Fitr and the celebration of returning to one’s true nature; this is because fasting Muslims strive to purify their souls during the month of Ramadan by consistently communicating with Allah Almighty and seeking forgiveness for their sins. They cleanse themselves of all external and internal pollution that contradicts their nature and return to their true essence.
Without a doubt, individual Muslims feel a kind of inner joy and pleasure with the arrival of Eid al-Fitr; however, Muslims’ welcome of Eid al-Fitr is not uniform or equal, as everyone perceives this great and magnificent holiday according to their knowledge and faith. Backgrounds, mindsets, levels of faith, and other factors influence individuals’ attitudes and motivations. Yes, the day of abandoning sin and distancing oneself from ugliness and filth, and the day of overcoming the devils, is Eid.
Eid al-Fitr is the day of returning to nature. This can also be understood from the term “Eid al-Fitr,” because “Eid” means return, and “Fitr” means “nature.” On this day, Muslims have achieved inner purity as a result of a month of supplication and service to Allah and have, in fact, regained their true personality. The pure nature of man can be affected by various sins throughout the year due to ignorance and negligence, distancing them from their truth, resulting in self-forgetfulness and forgetfulness of Allah. However, with the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslim men and women, in the light of the spiritual atmosphere of that month and through their efforts, achieve a new life that can be referred to as “returning to oneself.”
The Word “Eid”:
This word means: a habit or custom associated with joy, grief, and other sentiments, the day when people gather, the absolute day of celebration, and a blessed day on which people rejoice and congratulate each other.
Some believe that the origin of this word is from the word “Oud,” meaning return; others, according to Ibn Manzur’s narration in Lisan al-Arab, believe that the origin of the word “Eid” is from habit, since people have become accustomed to gathering together on this day.
Imam Nawawi (may Allah bless him) said: «وسُمی العید عیداً لعوده وتکرره، وقیل: لعود السرور فیه» Translation: “The reason for naming Eid is because of its repetition and return, and it has also been said that it was called Eid because of the return of happiness and joy.”
“Fitr,” in its original form, means to split, appear, or create. It is stated in the Quran: “إِذَا السَّمَاءُ انْفَطَرَتْ” Translation: “When the sky is split.”
“الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ” Translation: “Praise be to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth.”
As if, when the heavens and the earth were created, the veil of nothingness was torn, and the heavens and the earth appeared. For this reason, the first day of Shawwal is also called Eid al-Fitr; because the fasting person breaks his fast and is allowed to benefit from the blessings of Allah. Therefore, Fitr is derived from Fitrat, which means creation.
Consequently, the word “Eid” means return, and Fitr means creation, innovation, and the nature and attribute that every being possesses at the beginning of creation. Therefore, Eid al-Fitr can be understood as the return of man to his divine nature. This development is achieved through the jihad against the egoistic soul and in the shadow of purification, embracing pure opportunities. On Eid al-Fitr, believers celebrate their victory after a month of effort and struggle in the arena of fighting the egoistic soul and keeping themselves away from worldly impurities. In this struggle, man overcomes selfishness, greed, and ego. In the glorious culture of Islam, this sacred self-improvement is interpreted as “fighting the ego,” and Ramadan is the month of fighting the ego while Eid al-Fitr is the celebration of this struggle.
Virtues of Eid:
The day of Eid is one of the best days, as stated in the Hadith: «عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ قُرْطٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلیاللهعلیهوسلم قَالَ «إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ الأَيَّامِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ ثُمَّ يَوْمُ الْقَرِّ» Translation: Abdullah Ibn Qorat narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “The greatest days in the sight of Allah Almighty are the first day of Eid al-Adha and the second day.” This Hadith indicates the virtue of both Eids.
The Wisdom and Philosophy of Eid al-Fitr:
The Secret of the Establishment of Eid al-Fitr: Every race and nationality has a day in their folk culture on which they celebrate, rejoice, and don beautiful clothes while enjoying the best foods! As narrated in the Hadith: «إن لكل قَوْم عيدًا، وَهذا عيدنا» Translation: “Every nation has a celebration, and this (Eid al-Fitr) is our celebration.”
Eid al-Fitr is a day when people have completed a month of fasting and are about to pay their zakat for their fast. On this blessed day, there are two types of joy and happiness: one natural and the other intellectual. The natural joy and happiness are evident; having completed a month of fasting, people are free from the outward hardship of fasting, while the poor and needy also partake in the joy by receiving the Sadaqat Al-Fitr. The intellectual joy of this day lies in the fact that Allah Almighty has granted them the success of fulfilling this special and important duty and has blessed families with the opportunity to live until this blessed month. So why shouldn’t this day be one of joy and happiness?!
Continues…
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