Eid-Ul-Fitr is here. The joy and festive spirit is felt more after nearly two years of living under the shadow of a deadly virus (Covid-19) that upended lives and disrupted normality. This say is a time for reflection and starting afresh, a time to rejoice with family and friends, but also a time for remembering those who are less fortunate. It’s a time to count our blessings while also giving charity to those in need.
Fasting teaches empathy and compassion for those less fortunate. It will certainly be different to Eids we’ve experienced in the last two years, but it can still be a time of giving thanks for all the blessings in our lives, focussing on the sunnahs we can fulfil and reaching out to those facing greater challenges than us. For most families, the celebrations of Eid are centered around food, with tables laden with their favorite dishes.
However, it’s important to remember that many families around them will have little to eat. For this reason, we are required to pay zakat. It is an obligation on every Muslim who has food in excess of their need. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained zakat al-Fitr to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere sadaqa for the one who gives it after the prayer,” (Hadith, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah). Furthermore, Eid is also an opportunity to practice the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and connect with Allah. In fact, the Prophet (PBUH) would not sleep on the night preceding the day of Eid and spend the whole night in worship. He (PBUH) said: “There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Shaban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Adha,” (As-Suyuti).
Another widespread tradition of Eid-al-Fitr is the exchanging of gifts, known as Eidi or Eidiya. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged this practice saying: “Give gifts to one another, you will love each other” (Hadith, Al Mufrad). For children, receiving Eid gifts is unsurprisingly a key highlight of the day and many look forward to being spoilt by parents and relatives.
Show gratitude for your blessings this Eid and donate now to share with those in need. There are many things we cannot change this Eid, but let’s take action to change what we can. Furthermore, as we all know that the Covid-19 era has been challenging. The pandemic, which is again showing an upswing in some states, is not completely gone. It is incumbent upon us all to continue to stay cautious while partaking of the blessings during this Eid.