The Moon and Eid

There is a debate among the Muslim community on just how to calculate the beginning of the month of Ramadan (or indeed any month, but Ramadan takes on special importance). The traditional methods mentioned in the Qur'an and followed by the Prophet Muhammad, is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of the month. If one sees the hilal at night, the next day is the first day of Ramadan and thus the first day of fasting.  At the end of the month, when the community sights the hilal again, the Festival of Fast-Breaking (EID_UL_FITR) begins.

Over the years, various scholars and communities have answered this question in different ways. The prevailing opinion is that one should commit to a local moon-sighting, i.e. begin and end Ramadan based on the sighting of the moon in your local vicinity. Astronomical calculations can help us predict when the moon should be visible, but Muslims still tend to follow the traditional method of looking at the sky themselves and physically "sighting" the moon. Thus, the exact day of the beginning of Ramadan is not generally known until the night before the fast begins, when the moon is actually sighted and confirmed.

There are many hadith available regarding the moon sighting of Ramadan the messenger of ALLHA PROPHET MOHAMAD (PBUH) said : (HADITH_No 2378 SAHIH MUSLIM) Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast, and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.

In another hadith PROPHET said: (SAHIH MUSLIM HADITH_No 2379) Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).

Islam has taught us when to start the holy month and when to end it and celebrate Eid_ul_Fitr  and we can find these teaching through different hadith and Quran. 

Preparations for Eid

Muslims all around in world celebrates Eid al-Fitr on the first of Shawwal, at the completion of the holy month of Ramadan. Shawwal is the tenth (10th) month of the Islamic Calendar. Eid al-Fitr is a very important and joyous day for all Muslims all around the world. On this day, Muslims express their joy and gratitude to Allah (SWT) for the health, strength and the opportunities He (SWT) gave to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and perform good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan. There is been different tradition to celebrate the Eid day in different continent but the day of Eid is start with the Eid's prayer in which all Muslims thanks God for his mercy and strength which he gives them to fulfill all deeds of the spiritual month.

In Islam there are three days of celebration of Eid in which Muslims all around world invites each other to their houses to celebrate this joyful day and congratulate each other for the big day of Eid. Giving Zakat is mandatory on every adult at Eid day it starts at the time of sunset of the night preceding Eid day whoever is adult and sane and is neither unconscious, nor poor, nor the slave of another, he should give, on his own behalf as well as on behalf of all those who are his dependents, about three kilos per head of wheat or barley or dates or raisins or rice or millet etc. It suffices if one pays the price of any one the stated items in cash.According to Ayatullah al-Seestani, it is an obligatory precaution that one should not give from that food which is not staple in his place, even if it be wheat, barley, dates or raisins.

On the big day of Eid every one wears new clothes, shoes and dressed him or herself properly. This is really important for every Muslim to Visit blood relatives to strengthen the relationship. This is also known as Sile Rahm, which is wajib and is known for changing one's destiny and life-span. There is an order of Prophet MOHAMMAD to every Muslim to visit their neighbors and friends and wish them the big day of Eid.

According to Quran  "O the believer we had made fast obligatory upon you as it was made obligatory before you. Perhaps you may become pious."

Ramadan the Moon and Eid

Ramadan, is the month of fasting for Muslims. The end of the holy month marks the beginning of the Eid-Ul-Fitr. Eid occurs on the first day of the Shawwal, which is the tenth month of Islamic calendar. According to the Islamic guide and traditions on the last day of Ramadan after sunset, muslims start sighting the crescent moon all over the world to celebrate their holy festival. As soon as the moon (hilal) is spotted the celebrations for the Eid-ul-fitr begins for all the Muslims.

Ramadan is said to be the holy month of Muslims, it is believed that holy book Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad during this month. It is believed that during this month the gates of hell are closed and the gates of heaven are open.

It is also believed that Ramadan is Allah’s own month. Another event which took place during the month of Ramadan was the battle of Badr, the battle between the inhabitants of Mecca and Medina. It’s the month to thank Allah for that he has given to human being. So thereby saying no to food, drink, smoking and sexual activities during daylight all the Muslims devote themselves to pray to Allah. Once the crescent moon is sighted it’s the time to break the fast and get over with the Ramadan month and celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr.

Once the crescent moon is sighted, the Ramadan month comes to an end and its now the time for celebrations for the Muslims. Eid-Ul-Fitr means to break the fast. Eid is the time to spread happiness, love, and triumph thereby creating enthusiasm among all the family members. On the Eid day all the Muslims wear new clothes and go for special EID prayer ceremony in their near by mosque to thank Allah by reciting various prayers and Eid-Ul-Fitr Dua’s. After the prayers there is a get together at Muslims house for an Eid meal and to celebrate the occasion together.

Muslim children have a joyful Eid Celebration as they get clothes, gifts, perks, and sweets from all their relatives. Children also make special Eid greetings for their Friends and decorate their houses in their special ways to enhance the beauty of the Eid Festival. Muslims greet each other by wishing Eid Mubarak to each other, which means Happy Eid!!

Eid Mubarak

Today most of the muslim world is celebrating Eid-ul-Azha (some countries celebrating it on saturday). Ramadan Kareem wishes everyone all over the world a very very happy and peaceful Eid. May God bless us all.

Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى‎ ‘Īdu l-’Aḍḥā) "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

Blessed Eid

Ramadan Kareem wishes all its readers a blessed Eid ul Azha.

Eid Announced in Pakistan

The Pakistani government quite literally announced the sighting of the moon at the eleventh hour, people had relaxed and left thier last minute chores and shopping for tomorrow when at around 8pm it was announced that moon had not been sighted and Eid was most likely to be on the 2nd, but at 11pm when the sighting of the moon was announced on TV channels, everyone went scrambling to the markets for shopping. Its 2 am now and the streets and shops are full of people, sweet shops and bakeries are sold out and everyone is out there finishing their last minute shopping.

I wish all the visitors of this blog a very happy Eid from Pakistan, hope your ramadan went well and wish you all the best on Eid.