At the end of Ramadan our minds turn to Eid, the festival of breaking the fast. What is the meaning of Eid? It is not about wearing new clothes and impressing others with your affluence. It is not about arbitrary amusements and celebrations. Eid is for those who fear the Promised Day of Reckoning and the owner of the Majestic Throne.

The affairs of Eid include:

One should eat something before the Eid prayer, dates are recommended. We should also pay the alms for breaking the fast – Zakaat al Fitr, which acquits the fasting person of any mistakes committed during Ramadan and brings happiness to the poor by enabling them to celebrate Eid.

Wearing new clothes and perfumes is also among the practices of Eid, as a way of recognising the kindness of Allah the Almighty.  We beautify ourselves because Allah loves what is beautiful. It also a time to exchange gifts, visits, greetings, love and good wishes. It is a time to contact relatives, parents, our neighbours and the poor.

The Eid is a time of happiness within Islamic rules and more. It is a time of dignified fun, innocent games, caring smiles, legitimate picnics and story telling. Eid is a time of gathering whether we are rich, poor, big, small ruler, ruled, happy or sad.

Eid is also a day of rewards, for those who fasted with consciousness of Allah, they are given the promise of a great reward. Those who sinned or transgressed whilst fasting, will regret it and feel sad. What a great loss that would be.

On the day of Eid, there will be two groups returning from the prayer. The first group will be rewarded and are grateful. Allah will say to them: ‘Go you have been forgiven. You pleased Me and I am pleased with you.’ The second group is that of the losers, returning with disappointment, loss and regret.

Remember that there are those who prayed the Eid prayer last year, who will not pray it this year. Their time of this earth has ended, and yours will also come to an end. Hasten to earn the reward of your Lord and His Forgiveness and Mercy. Allah tells us:

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment and deception (a deceiving thing).” 

(Surah Al-Imran:185)