Eid-Ul-Fitr Prayer Ceremony

Eid-ul-fitr is one of the most important festivals of Muslims. Just
after the Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-fitr. All thepreparations
are done before hand for the occasion. Eid-ul-fitr prayer is the
integral part of Eid, which is worth mentioning.
Muslims wear new clothes early in the morning on this day. According
to the practices followed by the prophet Muhammad of conducting Eid
Prayers in open grounds therefore Eid prayers are carried in open sky.
All the Muslims visit Mosque (masjid) in the morning on this day and
recite the Takbir 揳llahu Akbar, allahu Akbar� meaning Allah is great
justbefore the prayer ceremony.
Once the Eid Ul fitr moon issighted the preparations for Eid Ul fitr
Celebrations begins.Soon after the Eid Prayer khutba or Islamic cermon
is delivered. The person reciting the Khutbais the lead of the prayer
and is called the khateeb.anyone can recite the Khutba provided that
he is male along with physical and mental purity.
Attending Khutba is not obligatory as attending the Eid prayer is
obligatoryfor all the male Muslims. Prophet also commanded all the
women to attend the prayers too. A Muslim can leave the Khutba
whenever he wishes to but not the prayer.
After khutba follows the Eid Dua. Large masses of Muslims assemble in
the mosque for the Eid Prayer ceremonies. The rush can be noticed
outside the mosque on the Eid day. Some people carry bags tokeep their
footwear抯 safe and one must carry musallas or sheets to sit on the Eid
prayer ground to pray.
After Eid-Ul-Fitr Prayer
Eid-Ul-Fitr is the festival to spread happiness and loveamong all the
relatives and near and dear one抯. After the prayer on this day there
is a get togetherat all the Muslims houses where all their near and
dear one抯 accompany them in the Eid meals. Muslims wish each other Eid
Mubarak that means Happy Eid. All the children receive gifts as a
token of love from all their relativesas Eid is the day to exchange
gifts among each other. The entire is day is marked with the triumph
and happiness spread all around and adding to the occasion of
Eid-Ul-Fitr.

Eid-Ul-Fitr Moon Spotting

Muslims follow lunar calendar and not solar calendar. In lunar
calendar the year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year. So one
cannot say if the days and dates of Eid-Ul-Fitr for the year 2008
would be similar to that of the year 2007.
Eid-Ul-Fitr Beginning
The beginning of the Ramadan , ninth month of Islamic calendar is also
decided by the sighting of the Crescent moon (hilal) This Sighting of
the hilal marks the beginning of the Ramadan. If hilal is seen at
night then the next day is the first day of Ramadan and fasting.
On the similar lines when the hilal is visible again at the end of the
month, it is the time to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr (break the fast). When
the hilal is sighted the beginning of the new month Shawwal, the
tenthmonth of Islamic calendar and the time to celebrate Eid-ul-fitr.
Eid-Ul-Fitr Moon SightingTips
Visibility of the crescent moon can be affected by a number of factors
and so itis recommended that number of observers should be involved to
sight a correct Crescent moon specially in cases where naked eyes are
used to detect the Eid moon. Factors affecting the sighting of the
crescent moon:
Distance of the moon fromthe Earth.
Local or geographical conditions (the height of the observer above sea level).
Character of the surrounding surface and the height of the horizon
relative to the observer.
Variations in the clarity of the atmosphere and wind direction..
Quality of eyesight of the observer.
Modified Ways Of Eid-Ul-Fitr Moon Sighting
Concept of international lunar date line (ILDL) has been developed by
Professor Ilyas in Malayia. ILDL forms a curved line on a world map,
which separates areas (west of line) where there are greater chances
of sightingmoon in the beginning of the lunar month along with the
areas where the crescent moon is likely to be seen (east of line). The
position of ILDL changes from month to month.
On the similar lines Dr.Monzur Ahmed has developed a computer program
called Mooncalc, which makes use of ILDL and creates world map to show
where the crescent is likely to be seen for the first time. The
position, age, phase, orientation, appearance and visibility of the
moon for any date, time and location on earthcan be find out making
theuse of ILDL.

Eid-Ul-Fitr History

Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims last for 29 to 30 days. The
end of the Ramadan marks the beginning of the Eid-Ul-Fitr. Eid occurs
on the first day of the Shawwal, the tenth month of Islamic calendar.
According to the history of Islam and traditions
on the last day of Ramadan after sunset, people start sighting the
crescent moon. As soon as the moon (hilal) is spotted the celebrations
for the Eid-ul-fitr begins for all theMuslims.
Importance Of Eid-ul-Fitr
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 ofheaven are open.
It is also believed that Ramadan is Allah抯 own month. Another event
which took place during the month of Ramadan was the battle of Badr,
thebattle between the inhabitants of Mecca and Medina. It抯 the month
to thank Allah for that he hasgiven 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抯 the time to break the fast and get over with the
Ramadan month and celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr.
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 thetime 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 ceremonies in their near by mosque to thank Allah by reciting
various prayers and Eid-Ul-Fitr Dua抯. After the prayersthere 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!!

How is Eid al-Fitr Celebrated?

Question: How is Eid al-Fitr Celebrated?
During the month of Ramadan , Muslims observe a strict fast and
participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and
peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who
observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughoutthe world observe
a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of
Fast-Breaking).
Answer: Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal , the month
which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in
charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the
completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each
Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor.
This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. --
to ensure that the needy can have aholiday meal and participate in the
celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charityof
fast-breaking).
On the day of Eid, Muslims gatherearly in the morning in outdoor
locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a
sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family
and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and makephone calls
to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These
activities traditionally continue for three days.