Id-Ramzan
Amongst the many Muslim festivals in the country, it is Id-Ramzan which is
said to be the most popular festival and holds great religious significance
to Muslims across the globe. Id-Ramzan is also known as Eid ul-Fitr and
sometimes plainly referred to as Eid. It is said to be most holy month in
the Islamic calendar.
The main reason for it being pronounced as the most scared month is because
it is been said in the holy book, Quran that it was during these thirty day
when Prophet Muhammad was blessed with spiritual knowledge of Islam.
Although fasting is a common practice in this month, there a number of other
practices that has to be strictly adhered to during this month such as
regular prayers, patience, charity and giving up materialist desires.
During this month, a person is said to spend his time enlivening with the
spiritual practices of the Quran, in order to free one from the worldly
yearning and create a stronger platform between man and god. Read the
article below known the common information about this festival.
History
Legend has it that in the year 610 AD when Prophet Muhammad was meditating
on Mount Hira that Angel Gabriel appeared in front of him and referred him
as Muhammad and pronounced him as the 'Messenger of God'. The Angel
enlightened him on the preaching's of Quran and declared that he will be
spiritual guiding light for men and women by spreading the message of Allah.
It has been believed that this incident took place in month of Ramadan which
gave rise to the formation of a new religion.
Muhammad was at first very disturbed and misunderstood it as an evil forces.
It took many people to convince him before he accepted and followed the
spiritual path. Many of his followers have said that Muhammad used to be
visited frequently by the seraph Gariel during the remaining years of his
life to teach him the recitals of the Quran. He would often refer to the
preaching's as a set of conventional rules that the Lord almighty would want
his people on earth to adhere too and lead their lives based on these code
of conducts.
It was his strong belief that it was the only way that will lead a Muslim to
path of righteousness. In the years to come Muhammad declared the month of
Ramadan as the most holy days in the calendar and requested his disciples to
pay homage to Allah for the divine knowledge given to them. He asked his
devotees to observe a pious way of life by abstaining from taking food,
devoting there time towards prayers and refraining from indulging in any
kind of austerities. Thus, this how the festival came into existence and
even today, holds great importance to the Muslim people.
Celebrations and Rituals
The festival of Eid -ul Fitr is mainly a three-day festival which takes
place towards the end of the month, but before this one has to observe a set
of rules laid down in the sacred text. The month long ritual involves waking
up in the morning before the crack of dawn and beginning the day with
morning prayers and sehri (meal before sun rise). During the day, Muslims
abstain themselves from eating any food and water and break their fast only
after sunset. During these days Muslims are asked to lead an honorable life,
to forgive and forget their rivals made during the year.
The main aim of fasting is to remind oneself of the sufferings. Fasting also
gives an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and
mind. It also helps them feel the peace that comes along with spiritual
devotion. The month-long fast ends on the day of Eid. On the day of Eid
Muslims begin there day by opening there fast and attending prayer sermons.
After attaining there discourses, they hold large communal gatherings
inviting friends and family to be a part of their banquet. In some
countries, men and women share gifts among their relatives and friends on
this day.
Commonly Celebrated
Unlike Id-Milad, Eid ul-Fitr is an important festival and is celebrated
across many parts of the globe. On this day many non-Muslim countries even
declare Eid ul-Fitr as a gazetted holiday. This day is celebrated
differently in each part of the globe with a few variations. Apart from the
Muslim countries, Australia, Nigeria, Fiji, South Africa, China, India,
United Kingdom, America, Canada, South Asia, Doha etc are some of the places
where Ramadan is celebrated.
Ramadan is celebrated according to the Islamic calendar that falls on the
ninth month of the Islamic year. It doesn't matter which religion you
practice but you have to be a part of Ramadan celebrations to experience
Islamic culture. The festivities give you an opportunity to savor in the
local delights and in the true meaning of Ramadan. Each year this fiesta
takes place with great zest and euphoria among different parts of the globe.
Sources: festivals.indobase.com
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