The Festival of Alms
This festival, in the month of Shawwal, celebrates the end of the 30 days of fasting ordained for every Muslim. It is marked by joyful feasts and the distribution of alms to the poor and distressed.
Id-ul-Fitr means the "festival of breaking the fast". Fitr is derived from the word fatar meaning "breaking". Another connotation suggests that it is derived from fitrah or "alms". Certain Sunni Muslims believe that fitr comes from fitrat meaning "nature" and Id-ul-Fitr is the celebration of god"s magnanimity in providing nature to man.
Celebrated on the first day of the new moon in Shawwal, it marks the end of Ramzan. In the morning everyone bathes, wears new or clean clothes, applies perfume, eats dates or some other sweet before walking to the mosque for Id prayers. Men wear white clothes because white symbolises purity and austerity. On this day, according to the Quran, Allah has ordained a dole for every Muslim who is free and is in possession of almsworthy capital. This charitable gift, called Sadaqah Fitr, is a dole to break the fast. It is to be given to a needy person as thanksgiving. Even one who has not kept the rozas is expected to give alms. The amount to be gifted must be in excess of one"s essential needs and free from all encumbrances of debt. Food grains or their cost are permitted to be donated. The Quran also specifies the grain and their quantities. A person should give 3.5 lb of wheat or its flour per head, or 7 lb of barley per head or their cost.
Do Rakat Namaz is performed in the mosque. These prayers can be read anytime between sunrise and just after noon. In India, it is customary to say them in the morning. Even women in purdahattend the namaz prayers in special chambers in the metropolitan cities. Id milans are part of the rituals in which people embrace each other three times, as is laid down in the Quran.
The festival originated when after proclaiming Ramzan as the period of fasting and austerity, Prophet Muhammad announced a day for celebrations to reaffirm the feeling of brotherhood.
Women prepare sweets at home. Sevian, or vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk, is popular. People then go for Id milans.
Some people visit cemeteries and stay there for many hours, often even camping out overnight. This is perhaps to honour their ancestors and to be with their spirits. To a devout Muslim, Id is a time to forget all past grievances.