Eid al-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan,  the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning  "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking (the fast)". The holiday  celebrates the conclusion of the thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting  during the entire month of Ramadan. The first day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month Shawwal.  Muslims are commanded by God in the Qur'an to complete their fast until  the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat al-fitr before doing the Eid  prayer. The Eid al-Fitr was originated by Prophet Muhammad and is  observed on the first of the month of Shawwal right after the end of the  holy month of Ramadan in which the believers undergo a period of  fasting.  Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days. Common  greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Eid Mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Eid Sa‘eed  ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings  based on local language and traditions – in Turkey, for example, a  typical saying might be Bayramınız kutlu olsun or "May your Bayram – Eid  – be blessed." Muslims are also encouraged on this day to  forgive and forget any differences or past animosities that may have  occurred with others during the year. Typically, Muslims wake  up relatively early in the morning—always before sunrise— offer Salatul  Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah  (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), clean one's teeth with  a Miswaak or toothbrush, take a shower (Ghusul) before Fajr prayers,  put on new clothes (or the best available), and apply perfume. It is haraam, or forbidden, to fast on the Day of Eid.  That is why it is recommended to have a small breakfast (as a sign of  not being on a fast on that day) of sweet dish, preferably the date  fruit, before attending the special Eid prayer (salaat). It is a  Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that the Sadaqat-ul-fitr, an obligatory  charity, is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid  prayer by all those adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat. Muslims recite the following Takbir (incantation) in the low voice while going to the Eid prayer: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha ilal-lahu wal-Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa-lilla hil hamd. Another  Sunnah of Muhammad Muslims are recommended to use two separate routes  to and from the prayer grounds. Eid prayer is performed in congregation  in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. No  adhan (Call to Prayer) or iqama (call) is to be pronounced for this Eid  prayer. The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a  supplication (dua) asking for God's forgiveness, mercy, peace and  blessings for all living beings across the world. The khutbah also  instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the  zakat. Listening to the khutbah (sermon) of Eid is a necessary  requirement (wajib) i.e. while the khutbah is being delivered; it is  haraam (prohibited) to talk, walk about or offer prayer while the sermon  is being delivered. After the prayers, Muslims visit their  relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations  in homes, community centers or rented halls. Gifts on eid (called eidi in some cultures) are frequently given to children and immediate relatives; it is also common in some cultures for children to be given small sums of money by adult relatives or friends.  Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This has to  do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the  basic values of the Muslim community; i.e., empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, patience  etc. Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental  distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while  acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm. It also teaches a Muslim to stay away from wordly desires and to focus entirely on the Lord and thank him for his blessings. It  is a rejuvenation of the religion and it creates a stronger bond  between the Muslim and his Lord. After the end of Ramadan, is a big  celebration of Eid.


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