Hari Raya Puasa is also commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. In
Malay the word Hari Raya means a day of celebration and Puasa derives
from Sanskrit meaning fasting or abstention. Hari Raya Puasa
means great day of fasting or in actual sense the festival marking the
end of a period of fasting. Hari Raya Puasa is popularly known as Eid al-Fitr. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of
fasting.
Traditionally, it is the day (beginning at sunset) of the first sighting
of the crescent moon shortly after sunset. If the moon is not observed
immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either
because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too
bright when the moon sets), then it is the following day.
The Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, community centers, etc. or at mosques. No call to prayer is given for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two units of prayer with an additional six incantations. The Eid prayer is followed by the sermon and then a supplication
asking for God's forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living
beings across the world. The sermon also instructs Muslims as to the
performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat. Listening to the sermon at Eid is not required and is optional, a Sunnah
i.e. while the sermon is being delivered. After the prayers, Muslims
visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances or hold large communal
celebrations in homes, community centers or rented halls.
Eid gifts, known as Eidi, are frequently given at eid to children and immediate relatives.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. This has to
do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the
basic values of the Muslim community;
e.g., empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, patience
etc. Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental
distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual
realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm. It
also teaches a Muslim to stay away from worldly desires and to focus
entirely on the Lord and thank Him for his blessings. It is a
rejuvenation of the religion and it creates a stronger bond between the
Muslim and his Lord.
Below are the views of what Muslim community do during Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr;
- During Ramadhan
- During Eid al-Fitr
