Munwarunissa Nazneen Saudi Gazette Eid is just a few days away. There is chaos and excitement all around as people rush to malls and markets for their last bout of Eid shopping. At homes, mothers are frantically going around cleaning and decorating the house and preparing gifts and goodies for relatives and guests who will descend after the Eid prayers. Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations. It is a joyous occasions for Muslims. On this day, Muslims thank Allah for keeping them steadfast and giving them the strength to abstain from bad deeds in the holy month. On the morning of Eid, get up early, take a bath, wear nice, clean clothes, apply perfume and go to the Mosque with your parents for the Eid prayers. On Eid, every believing men, women, and children should enthusiastically participate in the joyous occasion. While going to the Mosque, recite the Takbeer, “Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La Ila-ha-ill-Allah. Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar.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.) The Eid prayer is Wajib. It consists of two Rakah's with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. The prayer should be offered in congregation and is followed by a Khutba, according to Ibn Abbass (May Allah be pleased with him), who said: “ I participated in the Eid-uL-Fitr prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (May Allah be pleased with them) and all of them prayed before the sermon. After the Eid prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered the sermon.” On the occasion of Eid, many families visit Makkah and Madinah, while some make a trip to their homeland to spend the Eid with their extended families and friends. No matter where you spend Eid, try to make it memorable for everyone. Fatima Al Aqqad, grade three home-room teacher of Manarat International School, Jeddah said, “Everyone gets excited when one sights the crescent and hears the Tabkbeer. We make sure that our house is prim and proper and our appearance is fastidious. Eid is a time of celebration for all Muslims that comes after a month's fasting, praying and supplicating Allah. However, while rejoicing we should not forget our brethren who are less fortunate. We should strive to make them a part of our celebration by buying new clothes for them, distributing food and sweets.” The young ones in the Kingdom have some special celebrations planned during the jubilant festival of Eid. Layal Syed studies in grade 5 of Orbit International School, Al-Khobar. She said, “On the occasion of Eid, I'll be dressing up like a fairy and will try to look beautiful. I'll be going to the Eid prayer with my mom and dad. We will have a hearty breakfast prepared by my mom and joining us will be our relatives. The next day, we will be visiting relatives and friends. Aleena Mazahar, who studies in grade five of Al-Faisal International School, said: “ We have planned to spend our Eid holidays in Madinah. I will be doing the Ziyarah with my family and friends and then gather at a relatives place for a meal. I love the sweets that my mother makes during Eid. I'm also looking forward to getting gifts from my elders. Yahia El Adl studies in grade 6 of Thamer International School, Jeddah. He said, “ On the morning of Eid, I will wear a thobe, go to the Mosque with my dad and then visit my relatives and friends. For dinner, my parents will take me to my favorite restaurant after which, we will go for adventurous rides. Saad Rahman,who studies in grade 1 of Delhi Public School, said: “This year I will be celebrating my Eid in India with my parents. I will go to the Mosque for the Eid prayer before visiting our relatives and friends.” Syed Afzalunnisa studies in grade 2 of International Indian School, Jeddah. “We have planned to celebrate Eid in Madinah with my cousins and friends. I'm sure we will have lots of fun.” Syed Moosa Quadri, who studies in grade 4 of Peace International School, said: “ I will celebrate Eid in Australia with my family and friends. We will go to a Mosque for the Eid prayers and then my brother Hasan will take us home. We will then receive lots of gifts from our elders.”
