"'Tomorrow is Eid and Eid is tomorrow. What is the meaning of Eid and how will it be?' added the Shaykh," the Moon continued when the Hilal had been seen, after with greeting with Basmalah and Salaam. "The Shaykh said, 'Eid is not for him who wears new clothes. Or who takes pride in his affluence. Surely Eid is for those who feared the Promised Day of Reckoning and the Owner of the Majestic Throne.Eid is not rhythms and strings. It is not arbitrary amusement and wildness. Eid is rather an occasion of gratitude to the Beneficent and acknowledgement of His favour. It is a time to display His grace and advance in the convoy of believers, strengthening the religion and overcoming the patron of the Devil.The affairs of Eid include, one should eat something before the Eid prayer. This may take the form of dates in accord with the command of Allah as was demonstrated while fasting. Likewise, the alms for the breaking of the fast (Zakaat al-Fitr ) acquits the fasting person from mistakes and obscenities committed during Ramadan. It brings happiness to the poor, revives the spirit of cooperation and kindness among Muslims, purifies their souls and suppresses their tendencies toward stinginess.The affairs of Eid include, one should eat something before the Eid prayer. This may take the form of dates in accord with the command of Allah as was demonstrated while fasting. Likewise, the alms for the breaking of the fast (Zakaat al-Fitr ) acquits the fasting person from mistakes and obscenities committed during Ramadan. It brings happiness to the poor, revives the spirit of cooperation and kindness among Muslims, purifies their souls and suppresses their tendencies toward stinginess.Wearing new clothes and perfumes is one of the practices of Eid. It is a means of recognizing the kindness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. It involves Beautification because Allah is Beautiful and He loves that which is beautiful. Eid is a time to display the favour of Allah as there is a hadith that says, ‘Verily Allah loves to see the effect of His favour upon His servant if He blesses him.’ It is an occasion to exchange visits, greetings, love and good wishes. It demands contact with relatives, kindness to parents, empathy for the poor and compassion for neighbours.
Citations & Reference:The Muslim Eid reflects happiness that is governed by the Islamic rules and mores. It enjoins dignified fun, courteous and innocent games, caring smiles, legitimate picnics and creative stories. This is an occasion that evokes images of the Day of the Great Exhibition. Eid gathers thousands upon thousands of rich, poor, big, small, ruler, ruled, happy and sad.Eid is a day of rewards. Whoever fasted with faith and consciousness grant him glad tidings of a great prize, a major success and a huge reward. Whosoever sinned while fasting, was careless with the command of Allah and transgressed His boundaries, he will regret it and feel deeply sorry. And what a great loss that would be.On the day of Eid, there will be two groups of people returning from the prayer. One group has been rewarded and is grateful. Allah will say to them, ‘Go you have been forgiven. You pleased Me and I have been pleased with you.'The other group is that of the losers and despondent. They will be returning with disappointment, loss, regret, and denial.Umar ibn Abdul Aziz saw some people hastening away from Arafat on their horses and camels at sunset. He said to them, ‘The one who wins not he who goes fastest on his horse or camel; but the winner is he whose sins are forgiven.’O Muslim! Think about those with whom you prayed last Eid. They included your fathers, grandfathers, beloved ones and friends. Where are they ? Where have they gone ? Tomorrow you will receive the prize. Tomorrow you will be given your full recompense in a record of your deeds. Make sure that only good is written in it. And, await your greatest Eid. The day when you would win the pleasure and forgiveness of Allah by His permission.'"The Moon left with a closing, 'O you who fast! May the peace, blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you. I entrust you in Allah’s care, the One who does not cause to lose anything in His trust. May your fasting and standing in prayer at nights, be good. Enjoy what you have striven for. Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum, wa taqabbal, yaa Kareem! And Allah knows best."
- Aa'id Abdullah Al-Qarni, Thirty Lessons for Those Who Fast, translated by Dr. Daud A. Abdullah, Darussalam
