Celebrating end of the spiritual journey
On this day, Muslims across the globe observe various rituals including attending a morning prayer, visit relatives and friends and exchange greetings and gifts. Eid Al Fitr is an important day to give charity and remember those who are far less fortunate than we are. Muslims are required to pay Zakat Al Fitr, a donation of food that must be given before Eid prayer, prior the end of Ramadhan, for the love of Allah.
Zakat Al Fitr is compulsory upon every self-supporting adult Muslim who has food more than their needs, on behalf of themselves and their dependants. This charity ensures that all Muslims, regardless of their financial status, can participate in the celebration of Eid and that no one is excluded from the community's joy. The amount of Zakat Al Fitr is quite small, given as flour or rice. The amount due for each family member is approximately $4 to $5.
The scholar and Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) companion, Ibn Abbas, said, 'The Messenger of Allah ordained Zakat Al Fitr to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah (charity) for the one who gives it after the prayer.'
Actually, there are two primary purposes for Zakat Al Fitr, spiritual and communal. The Zakat donation occurs during Ramadhan to cleanse the worshipper from adulterations and serves as a prerequisite for the acceptance of one's fasting. For the communal, Zakat is a way to help the poor and needy. The day of Eid is a day of prayer and gathering, allowing Muslims to gratify the poor as they close out Ramadhan.
Generally, Ramadhan is a period of spiritual reflection, prayer, acts of kindness and time spent with loved ones. Hence, Eid Al Fitr comes to celebrate the end of fasting and to express gratitude to Allah for providing strength and guidance throughout Ramadhan. As this month came to an end, Muslims look forward to carrying the lessons of Ramadhan with them, striving to live a life of balance, peace and spiritual fulfilment.
In fact, Eid Al Fitr is a time to reflect on the spiritual growth achieved during Ramadhan. It is a time for renewal, where Muslims are encouraged to continue the good habits and positive changes they cultivated during the month-long journey throughout the year.
Ramadhan was an opportunity to rededicate Muslims to the teachings of the faith and the cause of mankind. It was a period of deep reflection on the inter-relationship between man and his neighbours, on the one hand, as well as man and the Almighty Allah, on the other.
Of course, this blessed month exists to train us, to guide us and to remind us of how we should approach the remaining 11 months of the year. Ramadhan conveys to us numerous lessons; how to develop our manners and moral courage, how to treat our fellow human beings with respect, how to strengthen our brotherhood, how to maintain unity among the Muslim community and how to be welcoming to all the non-Muslims who share this land with us. The month also teaches us to be more religious, disciplined and how to maintain self-control, while protecting our souls from greed and immorality. But, most importantly, the month teaches us how we can improve our connection with the Allah.
The writer is author, translator and a communications professional
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