The Greatest Festival in Islam

The Greatest Festivals In Islam

In Islam, celebration is a form of thanking Allah, the One True God. Celebration, in Islam, is merry-making, going out to parties, visiting and meeting friends and relatives and having clean fun, and also a form of physical and spiritual purification. Islamic celebrations include taking a bath, putting on clean or new clothes, wearing perfume and going to the mosque or a place of congregation for Salat, a form of prescribed prayers. The dates and days of celebration are set according to the Islamic calendar. Three of the greatest festivals in Islam are Eidul Fitri, Eidul Adha and Al-Hijra. One of the greatest festival in Islam is Eidul Fitri, which is one of the most meaningful events for Muslims all over the world. It is celebrate every year in the month of Syawal in Islamic year. It is also known as ‘Lebaran’ or ‘Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ - the day where we seek for forgiveness physically and spiritually. This is the celebration of fast-breaking. Before we celebrate the Eidul Fitri, the Muslims must fast for a month in Ramadan. Muslims watch the western horizon immediately after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan for the crescent. If the crescent is sighted, it is the first day of the new month and beginning of 'Eid day. If the crescent is not sighted within ½ an hour after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan the Muslims complete 30 days of fasting. Either way, the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar is 'Eid al-Fitr. On 'Eid day, Muslims gather in a larger facility than the neighborhood masjid and join in Salat al-'Eid which is composed of Salat followed by an address by the Imam (leader). This is a major holiday for the Muslims. On this day, they visit many relatives and friends and give gifts to the children. 'Eid is, first, a day of thanks to Allah, and next, a gathering of families and friends. All financially able Muslims are required to give Sadaqat al-Fitr, a form of charity, on behalf of each and every person of the family, including newborns, to the poor and needy during the Ramadan but before the 'Eid prayers.

A second of the greatest festival in Islam is Eidul Adha, which is celebrated on the 10th of Zulhijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and again depends upon the crescent sighting for the first of the month. This celebration is symbols the end of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. For those people who have gone to Makkah for Hajj (the pilgrimage), staying in the Plain of Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijja is the most important event. Though it is celebrated by all Muslims, not just individuals who are on the pilgrimage. This is a 4 day public holiday in Muslim countries. This celebration memorizes the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail when Allah ordered him to. But now, Muslims sacrifice domestic animals, usually goat, sheep, cow or camel as a sign of the prophet Ibrahim sacrifice to reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God's wishes. The meat is divided into three parts: one part is distributed among the poor and needy, one part is distributed among relatives and friends and one part is used by the family. This is also a major holiday for Muslims to visit each other and give gifts to the children.

A third of the greatest festival in Islam is Al-Hijra. This festival celebrates the Hijra in 622 A.D when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina and set up the first Islamic state. This was the beginning of the growth of Islam into a world faith. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix After Hijra. There is no specific religious ritual required on this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for "New Year Resolutions". The Qur’an uses the word Hijra to mean moving from a bad place or state of affairs to a good one - and so Muslims may think about how their faith helps them leave behind bad ways of living and achieve a better life. The date marks the opening of Islam as a community in which pious and earthly life were completely incorporated. It was a community inspired by Allah, and totally obedient to Allah; a group of people bound as one by faith. This Muslim community grew progressively over time, unifying the many tribes that had made up the Arab world in advance. Islam now evolved as a joint spiritual and earthly community, with political and military power working hand in hand with spiritual authority and direction. At the same time the community developed the religious and ethical codes of actions that still provide the base of Muslim existence.

The conclusion, this festival is celebrated every year in worldwide. However, it is a little different way of celebrating at other places compared to Malaysia but its main goal is to achieve God's pleasure. In addition, it is to unite Muslims under one strong union that Islam is considered noble and held in high regard by other religions.