Fasting, prayer and reflection: Embracing the spiritual significance of Ramadan

“We wish all the Muslims around the world a blessed day of Eid that inspires us to live a conscientious life of virtue, caring for one another and sharing. We pray that the Almighty brings upon us peace and keeps us safe. We beseech His forgiveness and extend goodwill to all South Africans.”

This is the message of goodwill for South Africa’s Muslim community from Jamiatul Ulama South Africa, which is the Council of Muslim Theologians, ahead of the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr towards the end of April.
Caxton Local News asked Jamiatul Ulama to share more about this special day on the Islamic calendar.

They explained that Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration of spiritual accomplishment that marks the end of Ramadan and shed more light on both the holy month and the festival.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which is considered sacred. It is the month of the Heavenly revelation of the Glorious Quran. Fasting in the month of Ramadan constitutes one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

All Muslims of age and without health challenges or not on a journey exceeding a specific distance are required to fast. The month-long fasts of Ramadan, which start on the day of the sighting of the new crescent moon, are observed from the break of dawn until sunset. During the fast, one abstains from food, drink, and conjugal relations.

While fasting, it is also necessary that one exercises restraint against anger, shows utmost patience when irked, and avoids idle or lewd talk. During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to exercise added virtue, such as through giving or acts of charity. Fasting persons exert themselves in devotions of prayer and self-reflection.

Eid takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Signalling Eid would be the sighting of the new crescent after 29 days of Ramadan or the lapsing of 30 days of the sacred month. This year, it is expected that Eid will fall on April 21 or 22.

The main observation of Eid day is a congregational prayer, which is accompanied by a sermon. It normally takes place in the early part of the morning, after sunrise. The main feature of the prayer is the glorification of, and expressions of gratitude to, the Almighty for the blessings of Eid.

Weather permitting, it takes place at an open field and s attended by congregants from a wider reach of a town or locality. Congregants congratulate and wish each other well for the joyous day.
As an occasion marking spiritual achievements, Eid is celebrated with modesty. Excessive pomp, commercialism and projection of the ego are contrary to the values of simplicity, self-restraint and generosity that Ramadan seeks to cultivate in an individual.

While it is obligatory to Muslims who have the means to give charity regularly, a special kind of charity becomes due, for the benefit of the needy and destitute, so that they too can share in the joy of the day.
Muslims spend the rest of the day with family and friends. Others take the opportunity to visit the less fortunate, the sick and the elderly, especially those living in care facilities.

Sharing and gifting are part of the tradition of a Muslim’s life. On Eid day, family members, relatives, neighbours and friends share meals and may exchange gifts as part of that custom. Around the world, people come together over meals as a symbol of their togetherness and sharing in the blessings that food represents and the joy it brings.

For this reason, food has become a feature of the celebration of Eid. Furthermore, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, would encourage gifting as it fosters affection between people.

As a matter of Prophetic tradition, Muslims eat dates or something sweet, before the Eid day prayer. The diversity of Muslim communities enjoy different kinds of dishes or snacks, according to their backgrounds.

Meals are made from cuisine from across the Muslim world, with growing influences from beyond traditionally known Muslim lands. The meal of the day would, therefore, depend on the preferences of the family.

The celebratory nature of Eid signifies an accomplishment.