Eid is an Arabic word derived from root of a-w-d. Literally it means a recurring event. In Islam it denotes the festivals of ISLAM. The word Eid occurs in the Qur'an once meaning a joyous recurring occasion.

"Isa the son of Marium said: O Allah, our Lord! send down to us food from heaven which should be to us an ever-recurring happiness, to the first of us and to the last of us, and a sign from Thee, and grant us means of subsistence, and Thou art the best of the Providers." Qur'an- Suratul Maida 5:114

Human history has known festivals from the earliest days of man on earth. Man has celebrated festivals ever since he knew communal life. Ancient Egyptians had one called the day of adornment. It was during one such festival that Prophet Musa (A.S.) defeated the magicians. (Qur'an - Suratu Taha 2O:57-59).

Eid ul Fitr is the festival that marks the end of the month of Ramadhan. Fitr means to break and it therefore marks the breaking of the fasting.

It is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is "a true Thanksgiving Day" for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The joy is our `Eid, it is our feast. During the month of Ramadan, Allah has put us to test. At the end of the month there is a great sense of achievement, of coming closer to the Almighty. It is the joy of spiritual fulfillment. It is a time for celebration, not to indulge in insulting or abusing others or detracting from the achievements of the month of Ramadan; it's a day of real happiness and joy.

When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the house of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, on the day of `Eid, he found two young girls playing music and singing. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, asked them: "Doing this in the house of the Prophet, how come?" But the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) told Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to leave them, for `Eid is a day of merriment and joy.

It is important for us to let our young and neighbors understand that our religion is not boring and just a matter of don'ts. We must show that Islam is the way of moderation, of tolerance, of beauty, sharing and laughter in the appropriate occasion.

However, `Eid is not simply a matter of celebration and joy. It is also a chance to share the feelings of those around us. That is why the sacrifice is offered and shared with friends, even with non-Muslims. We are not stopped from sharing with those of our neighbors who are non-Muslim. Charity is very important and meritorious on the two `Eids. It is an affirmation of our responsibility to the community in which we are living.

Sunnah of Eid

• Wake up early.
• Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
• Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
• Brush your teeth.
  
• Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
  
• Use perfume (men only).
  
• Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground.
• On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
  
• Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
  
• Go to prayer ground early.
  
• Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
  
• Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.
  
• Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid:

Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.

(Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah).

How to offer Eid prayer:
Ibn Abbass (ra) reported: " I participated in the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer with the Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Eid prayer before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)." (Muslim)

Who should go to the prayer ground & offer Eid Prayer:
Umm Atiyah (ra) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha, young women, hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaat but participated in good deeds and Duaa (supplication). I (Umm Atiyah) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): Oh! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment. He replied: Let her sister cover her with her garment." (Muslim)

On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.

Structure of Eid prayer:
Eid prayer is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah.

The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and Jihaad should be aroused in the community. At the conclusion of the prayer the Muslims should convey greetings to each other, give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.

Zakat-ul-Fitr
"Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and remembers (glorifies) the name of his Lord and prays" Quran 87:14-15

During Ramadhan we become familiar with the experience of the needy and poor who stay hungry not out of choice but because of lack of food. By fasting we appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah and become charitable towards those in need. As if to re-enforce the idea in our minds, Allah has made a wajib charity of Zakat ul Fitr at the end of Ramadhan.

Zakat-UL-FITR is part of the fast of Ramadan and is characterized by the following elements:

• It consists of approximately 5.5 pounds of rice, wheat, dates, or similar food items.
• It is not recommended to give the Zakat ul-Fitr in the form of money, clothes, or any other non-food items. However, the Hanafi School of Thought allowes to give the Zakat ul-Fitr in monetary form (if one wishes to do so.)
• It must be given on the day of Eid, which is known as Eid ul-Fitr and signifies the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. It can also be paid one or two days before Eid ul-Fitr.
  It cannot be given after the Eid prayer, unless one has a valid reason for such a delay.
• It should be given on behalf of every Muslim, whether male or female, adult or minor.