As the divine month of Ramadan comes to close, Muslims from all over the world will start celebrating Eid Al-Fitr. During Ramadan period, Muslims do fasting, do prayer, refining and charitable actions. Before we talk about Eid ul-Fitr, lets understand why Ramadan is celebrated.
The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims with four weeks of fasting. Members of the Islamic faith believe in refraining from eating and drinking during Ramadan brings them closer to God.
Eid al-Fitr means "festival of breaking the fast" and thus marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr begins with the first sighting of the new moon.
On Eid
al-Fitr, Muslims gather together at the
mosque for a prayer, before spending the day with friends and family by wishing
one another ‘Eid Mubarak’. Eid Mubarak’ means "have a blessed Eid.” It is the
perfect opportunity for the Muslims to thank Allah for helping them get through
the month-long fasting during the Ramadan month.
Mostly Eid prayer is performed in gathering in open areas like fields, community centers or at mosques. Eid is a time when Muslims pledge their gratitude to Allah by donating money to various charities and philanthropic efforts. The worship process may seem scary; however, step by step process can remove some of the stereotypical connotations and provide a more meaningful explanation on the functionalities of ‘rakat’ (worship).
How to perform First Rakat
Action 1: Perform two Rakats behind the Imam for Eid prayer along with six additional Takbirs.
Action 2: After Imam says "Allahu Akbar" for the first time, we have to raise your hands and follow. This is the first Takbir of the prayer.
Action 3: There will be three Takbirs before the Imam begins reciting from the Quran. Each time the Imam says "Allahu Akbar", raise your hands, then place them on your sides. After the third Takbir, the moment Imam begin reciting from the Quran, put your hands on your chest, with your right hand on top of the left.
Action 4: Listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran. The Imam will recite Surah Al Fatiha (the first Surah of the Quran) and then another Surah.
Action 5: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Ruku – which is the bowing position.
Action 6: Stand up straight when he says Sami Allahu liman Hamidah (translation: Allah hears those who praise Him), and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" (translation: our Lord praise be to You) in a low voice.
Action 7: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Sujud – which is prostration. You will do two prostrations just like a normal prayer.
The Second Raka
Action 8: The Imam will first recite from the Holy Quran.
Action 9: Afterwards, before going into Ruku, there will be three Takbirs. Follow the Imam. Raise your hands after each "Allahu Akbar." After the third Takbir, go into Ruku – remember, this is the bowing position.
Action 10: Stand up straight when the Imam says, "Sami Allah huliman Hamidah”, and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" in a low voice.
Only senior citizens, patients, pregnant woman, children, and sports personalities, are exempted from this fasting. Some family allows children to keep half-fast so that they learn about the festival from a young age.