Eid Mubarak! Celebrating the Eid of Generosity & Reflection This Lockdown (4 Mins Read)
Eid-Al-Fitra or Meethi Eid or simply Eid marks the end of the long day fasting in the holy month of Ramazan (or Ramadan) and is also known as ‘festival of breaking the fast’. Eid is a time for reflection and starting afresh. A time to rejoice with family and friends, but also a time for remembering those who are less fortunate. It’s a time to count our blessings while also giving charity to those in need.
To me, the last day of fasting always meant, rushing to the rooftop after Iftari (the evening meal to break the fast) and getting the first glimpse of slender crescent Moon which is a beautiful and inspiring sight, but difficult to spot. “ Chand Mubarak ho Beta” are the words of my father every year, at the very sight of the beautiful crescent. But this year due to lockdown in New Delhi, the greetings were exchanged on the phone, for the first time.
Back in my home town Lucknow, after the moon was spotted, we could feel a sudden rush of festive vibes all around the town through messages, phone calls, bursting of crackers & fireworks. This was followed by making the supplication or Dua for spotting the moon and wishing everyone in family and friends with “ Chand Raat Mubarak “ (Happy Night of the Moon). This officially meant no more of fasting from tomorrow and marked the beginning of the time of celebration.
Muslim families often visited bazaars and shopping malls which were open the whole night, with their families for Eid shopping on Chand Raat. Women, especially younger girls, often apply the traditional Mehndi, or henna, on their hands and feet and wear colorful bangles. The kitchen is the most happening place in the entire house with all the women busy with the preparation of the festive food for Eid. While Men are busy with decorating and rearranging the house and making cosmetic changes for tomorrow’s big get together and celebration.
At my home like many other households, the Eid Morning used to start early at 6 AM. That used to be the time to freshen up, wear new clothes (specially Kurta Payjama), apply Itra (Perfume Oil) on clothes and Surma (Antimony) in eyes, and rush to the mosque for Eid Prayers. It is obligatory for all the Males to offer Eid Namaz in the Mosque, while Females are at will to offer the same at home.
Before Eid prayers it is mandatory for everyone to contribute to charity locally known as ‘ fitra’ to validate the ‘Namaz’ (Prayer). Many people also avail themselves of this opportunity to distribute Zakat, an Islamic obligatory alms tax of 2.5% of one’s annual savings, to the needy. Zakat is often distributed in the form of food and new clothes.
After the Namaz, ‘Dua’ (supplication) is made in the larger interest of humanity followed by the traditional Eid greeting of Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid). The greeting involved hugging people around us thrice followed by a formal embrace. Outside the mosque, people assemble in the flea market and buy things like balloons for kids, dates, and other sweets from the poor to help & support them. After the Eid prayers, it is common in our families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members and remember them. I do not remember missing my supplication at the graveyard sine last 15 years, except for this year!
My visit to the home back after the Namaz was followed by a formal exchange of greeting by female family members who welcomed all of us with special celebratory dishes like freshly made sweets called Sivayyan (Vermicelli Noodles with dry fruits and Milk), Chole(Chickpeas), Dahi-Phulki (fried flour balls in yogurt) and Kebabs (Minced Mutton). My family specializes in two forms of Sivayyan — the Kemam (Dry Sivayyan) and Sheer Khurma ( Milk-based Sivayyan) and the name Meethi Eid often comes from the tradition of serving Sivayyans.
The most exciting part of the Eid Festival is receiving Eidi (often Money) from the elders and parents and we were no different. Gifts were often exchanged in the form of new clothes, food items, and gadgets. Who gets the maximum Eidi was always a major source of excitement among the kids. No one was spared from Eidi and it was more of a right than a privilege. It was a common practice for children to offer Salam (greeting) to parents and senior relatives.
It was also common to invite and visit neighbors, family members, friends and to have a get-together, share sweets, snacks, and special meals including some special dishes that are prepared specifically on Eid. Guests were often greeted with Itra in certain families and traditions.
In my family the Eid buffet was a lavish spread of Sevayyans, Chole, Dahi Phulki, Papdi Chaat, Dry Fruits, Shahi Tukda for Vegetarian options and Kababs, Mutton Korma, Naan, Biryani, Fried Chicken for Non-Vegetarians.
For us Eid always meant a momentous, happy, and joyous occasion shared with family and friends, Muslim and non-Muslim. We usually had a lot of guests pouring in for relishing the festive goodies. And the day only ended with a formal dinner with family and close friends followed by a little stroll around the society. Not to mention, the physical being at the end of the day used to be tired but the excitement was infinite.
This year I missed my family, friends & relatives back home due to the lockdown and social distancing protocols being enforced across the country. But I am also very sure that we all will be united on the occasion of Eid next year, Inshallah (Allah Willing,) after tiding past this difficult time posed by the pandemic by maintaining social distancing protocols and by staying at home while staying safe for the larger good of the humanity. After all Eid is just not a celebration with family and friends following a month fasting, but also a reminder and expression of trying to be a better person in all aspects of life — health, spirituality, belief, and faith! Allah is for sure going to bless this world with peace, harmony, and good health. Ameen!
Originally published at https://theeasywisdom.com on May 25, 2020.
