Ramadan Mubarak – Islamic Holiday Celebrations for the Family

Ramadan is ending and the excitement is building as many are anticipating the conclusion of fasting and the beginning of the Islamic holiday.

Ramadan Mubarak means congratulations on a successful Ramadan or Ramadan blessings. Some say Ramadan Mubarak, but many say, "Koll Aaam Wa Antom Bekhayr." Ramadan was a month of sacrifice and a month of worship hoping to sight Layalat al-Qadr. Layalat al-Qadr is a night worth 1000 months of worship and a night when the angels greet the successful worshipers.

The next morning at sunrise the sun rises like the moon with no rays to show Muslims that the miracle of Allah has passed. If anyone has ever seen this beautiful miracle, the Muslim will be in shock and amazement at the absolute beauty of the moment.

According to the hadith, there will only be a few who will be granted the right to see this event, so being among those chosen is a great honor. Afterwards run to prayer and thank Allah for allowing this miracle to come to pass and the blessings that were received.

Ramadan Mubarak – The End of Ramadan

After the sighting of Layalat al-Qadr many Muslims will get lazy and neglect the full worship of Ramadan. It was for this reason that Muslims must strive to be steadfast after Ramadan. A test of a successful Ramadan will be a change in the Muslim's character. Could any Muslim not be changed if Angel Gabriel was shown in the same form as was to Prophet Mohammad, upon receiving the Quran?

The end of Ramadan should be met with more worship and more praise, not less. It should be a time when the heart is filled with joy and that many black stains are removed. It is a time that all Muslims will gather together, not to make "Cake de Eid" (date cookies), but a time when the Quran is read more and nafl (voluntary) prayers increase.

As Ramadan comes to a close, reflect on the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad and how he did not sleep the night before the prayer of Eid and worshiped Allah the entire evening to get the entire reward of a successful Ramadan.

Islamic Holidays and Food Served to Guest

Although Katayef is traditionally served during Ramadan and usually after the meal to visitors, it can still be served on the Eid holiday also. Katayef is a pancake like bread that is stuffed with dates, cheese or a nut mixture. It is then topped with sugar syrup that is laced with cinnamon. Here is the recipe: Katayef. Some guest will make the traditional sweet holiday bread with many spices including sesame, anise and black cumin.
The Islamic holiday after Ramadan is called Eid (holiday) ul Fitr. It is traditionally celebrated for 4 days and during those 4 days; families go from house to house of neighbors and family greeting them. It is traditional when visitors come, to serve them mamoul (date cookies) and Arabic coffee. Arabic coffee is slow brewed with cardamom and has no sugar. It is served in tiny cups and any guest who refuses to drink some Arabic coffee has insulted the family.
Mamoul is made with lots of oil (clarified butter and oil) and many spices and some sugar. It is filled with dates and some mamoul is filled with nuts. Some mamoul is dusted with powdered sugar also. Mamoul will take days to make so a family who serves mamoul and Arabic coffee is one who cares about the guests and has preserved the family name.

Eid ul Fitr Greeting Cards

Greeting cards came into existence in recent years as technology improved. The computer age erupted and made the sending of Eid cards very simple. Eid cards are not a Sunnah tradition of Ramadan. With many companies offering e-cards this meant that cards and greetings could be sent around the world in an instant and many companies are offering free Eid greeting cards.

Greeting cards are a way of showing love ones the real love of Islam and family unity. Not all families can visit and be together and for many the Islamic holiday is sad and lonely. Receiving a card just may be a way of doing a good deed and a way to be blessed for the intention.

 

Ramadan Mubarak is a Day of Success

In the end when all is said in done; the end of Ramadan is a day of success. The Muslim has successfully finished the fasting, given the zakat (charity to the needy) and paid the Fitr (money due the poor) and attended the Salat of Eid (prayer after Ramadan). Saying Ramadan Mubarak over and over again is traditionally done at the announcement when Ramadan has ended and after the prayer service is concluded.

It is sad in many ways, as during Ramadan there are many get-togethers and much time spent with friends praying at the Mosque which will be missed. It is also sad to see Muslims who do not follow the Ramadan teachings the entire year.

On the authority of Ibn 'Umar, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, took me by the shoulder and said: "Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer."

Ibn 'Umar used to say: "When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death." [Al-Bukhari]

* Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

 Photo courtesy of Photobucket: succubus121

End of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr Islamic Holiday

The end of Ramadan is marked by all Muslims going to morning prayer services and then the Islamic Holiday Eid Al-Fitr, a 4-day celebration begins.

A few days before the end of Ramadan, Muslim women will gather together and start making the “Cake de Eid” or more commonly called "mamoul." Mamoul is a cake like cookie filled with dates or walnuts. Mamoul is traditional at all Eid Al-Fitr celebrations. When the guest arrives, they are served Arabic coffee (Turkish coffee with no sugar) and a few “Cake de Eids.”

Making the mamoul will take a long time and it is regarded as a special treat for all guests. The dough for the cookie is made with seminola or flour or a mixture of the two. Both oil and ghee is used and the filling is made with dates, cinnamon and olive oil. The mamoul cookies are shaped and formed, sometimes using special designs.


The Night Preceding Eid Al-Fitr


The night before Eid al-Fitr is regarded as a very blessed night and Muslims believe that it should be spent in nafl (voluntary) salat (prayers) and worship. There will be no taraweeh prayers on this last night of Ramadan, but a devout Muslim will spend the night in prayer, remembrance of Allah and reading the Quran.

Before the Eid al-Fitr salat, Mulsims will be sure to pay the “Sadakah Al-Fitr.” This is money due to the poor and the needy. Every Muslim must pay this, even the poor. Sadakah al-Fitr is a fairly small amount of money equal to 1.75 kilograms of wheat for every person in the family.

On this topic, Ibn 'Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made zakat al-Fitr obligatory for the Muslims - slave and free, male and female, young and old, being a sa' of dates or a sa' of barley. He commanded that it be paid before people went out to the prayer." (Muwatta, Book 17, 52)


Preparing to go to Eid Al Fitr Salat


The morning of Eid al-Fitr, it is considered sunnah (consistent with the ways of the prophet) to perform certain acts in preparation of thanking Allah for a blessed Ramadan. These acts include:

• Wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
• Brush the teeth with a Miswak or a toothbrush.
• Wear the best available clothes.
• Wear perfume (men only.)
• Eat a few dates before the Eid prayer.
• Recite the following Takbir in the low voice while going to the 'Eid prayer: "Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd."

 Eid Al-Fitr Salat (Prayers)


In Islam, the Eid prayers should be performed in an open field or area if possible. It is not recommended to conduct Eid prayers in every single mosque. It is said to be a time for Muslims to celebrate Eid together in large gatherings. If a large field or park is not available, then a large mosque will suffice.

The Eid prayer is mandatory for every male Muslim. Muslim women must attend Eid prayers if there are no emergency situations in the home, such as issues involving small children or sick and elderly parents that require assistance or tending. The Eid prayer should be attended and prior to the prayer takbir should be recited:"Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd."

When not reciting the takbir (above), saying zikr (remembrance of Allah) is recommended. No nafl salat (voluntary prayers) are recited in the home prior to or after the salat; Muslims may recite nafl salat in the home after returning from the Eid prayers.

The Eid prayer is distinct from other Muslim prayers. The Imam will lead the salat (prayers) and there will be six sets of takbirs (Allah Akbar). Three of the takbirs will be in the beginning of the salat. After each takbir, the hands are raised to the ears. At the beginning of the second rakat, after the Imam or sheik recites the Fatiha and something from the Quran, an additional three takbirs are recited. Some mosques will do all six takbirs at once at the beginning of the salat and then proceed with the prayer.


The Eid Prayer Khutbah (Sermon)


The Khutbah itself is regarded as an inspirational event and it involves praising Allah. Muslims should listen intensely and reverently to what the Imam has to say. It is regarded as a time to remember Allah’s blessings and to be thankful to be present in such an assembly. Muslims should not leave the Eid prayer early hoping to avoid the crowds; they should stay until after the final dua is said; then, it's customary to greet everyone in the room with a congratulations or “Ramadan Mubarak.”


Eid Al-Fitr Celebrations Begin at the End of Ramadan


Islamic holidays and celebrations are unlike Christian or Jew celebrations. In a non-Islamic situation, there may be partying, dancing, music and singing – this is not so in a Muslim community. Muslims will visit friends and relatives, drink Arabic coffee, chat, hug each other and then praise Allah for His bounty at the end of Ramadan. It is normal for Muslim families to make the rounds, visiting each home for a brief period of time. It is considered “ib" (inappropriate)” to refuse Arabic coffee when offered.

Resources:
"Eid

Photo courtesy of Photobucket: bambootj