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Eid ul Fitr and Zakat ul Fitr
By Prof. Ziauddin Ahmad
Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of thanksgiving and jubilation as it signifies the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadan.
 This festival marks the completion of an act of duty
and devotion. It teaches us the lesson that real happiness arises from
performing one’s duty and making sacrifices for a noble objective.
Fasting is one of the most significant pillars of
Islam. The practice of fasting sublimates the inner self of man and
inculcates discernment of the pangs and hardships which the poor and
needy face. This feeling is awakened in all those, whether rich or poor,
young or old, who observe fasting. It is the loftiest achievement of
moral exercises which is celebrated with the greatest zest and verve on
the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
All kinds of spiritual adorations during the sacred
month of Ramadan are in celebration of the revelation of the last and
perfect message of Allah to humanity, for the limitless and vast favour
on mankind in the shape of the Glorious Qur’an and its implication in
the dedication and devotion in the month of Ramadan to which the Divine
Book had led. Says the Qur’an: Allah has revealed to you the Book and
Wisdom and taught you what you did not know before. Allah’s goodness to
you has been great indeed.” (4:113)
There are multiple results of fasting (Siyam) in the
shape of vigorous duties, moral and spiritual self-discipline and
austerity. This reward equips man to swim in the roughest seas of life.
It is in this concept that the Qur’an has clearly expressed the act of
fasting as a blessing and not a calamity. Allah desires your well
being, not your discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole of the
month so that you may magnify Him for giving you His guidance, and that
you may give thanks.
It is with this spirit of thanksgiving that Eid-ul-Fitr
is observed all over the world by Muslim Ummah by offering prayers to
Allah, and rejoicing and festivity on the accomplishment of an act of
dedication and submission to the Almighty. The Muslim Ummah
meditates and pays obeisance to their Lord in congregation, displaying
the real spirit of brotherhood, equality and fraternity through the
prayers and through the zest of meeting and embracing the Muslim
brothers.
On this happy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, we should pray to Allah to bless the Muslim Ummah.
We should not forget those who are afflicted with poverty, ignorance, disease and other misfortunes. Charity i.e. the Saddqaha-e-Fitr is obligatory at the end of the fasting month i.e. Ramadan and should be compulsorily paid to the needy by every Muslim of means. The real happiness of Eid lies in sharing our happiness with others. Payment of fitrah to the poor and needy is obligatory. It has to be paid before Eid prayers.
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