Celebrate Ramadan (Eid Ul-Fitr) in your apartment
With just few more days left for the Ramadan finale during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the days of ‘fasting’ come to an end. Muslims from all over the world celebrate this feast with great pomp and show to mark the spiritual reflection and sacrifice. Ramadan can be celebrated in various ways be it in an apartment or in a penthouse.
What is Ramadan?
In the month of Ramadan, people of Islamic faith fast during the daylight hours. The fast begins before the sunrise and ends after the sunset. The word “Ramadan” itself means “parched thirst” and “sun-baked ground”. The fast is obligatory to all the grown-ups and a person fasts for 30 days and then commemorates it by celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr.
What is Eid-ul-Fitr?
Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as Eid is a Muslim holiday which honours the culmination of Ramadan (sawm). However, the term Eid-ul-Fitr has a religious significance wherein, the word Eid refers to an Arabic word which means “festivity” and the word fi?r means “breaking the fast”. As mentioned earlier this festival is celebrated in order to rejoice the conclusion of the 30 day fast.
Eid-ul-Fitr has a precise Islamic prayer which will be performed by both men and women. However, the men who will be guided by the hazrat gather in a large open ground and offer their prayers whereas the women offer their salat (prayers) at home. For men, the prayers may only be performed in congregation (Jama’at). At the time of prayers, the streets will be filled with whiffs of enthralling attar, as men, women and children don themselves with it along with new attires. One of the major aspects of this Eid is that Muslims believe that they are directed by Allah, as mentioned in the Qur’an(the holy book) to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat (charity) and fitra (breaking a fast) before doing the Eid prayer.
One has to follow simplicity while dressing, as Prophet (SAW) followed simplicity even when he was dressed in new attires. His clothing was modest and inexpensive to avoid appearing as though he were putting himself above others.
How to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in your apartment?
Social gathering:
Since Eid is all about rejoicing and enjoying, one can host a meal at their home or organize an Eid event in their apartment society. This will give everyone an opportunity to mingle and share their Ramadan views.
A get-together prayer:
As men gather in the mosques for the Eid prayers, women can also form a community in their apartment and offer prayers together.
Decoration:
On the eve of Ramadan, you can decorate your apartment or the place chosen for social gathering with colourful lights and flowers, balloons, banners and signs denoting the celebration of Ramadan and wishing the people Eid Mubarak.
Meal solicitation:
There are arrays of delicacies which are associated with this festival. One can make all the delicious culinary and invite their neighbours or also can adopt the concept of progressive dinner.
Sermons and talks:
While men go to mosque for sermons, women and children can organize a sermon in their apartments. Children can praise god and tell stories of prophets and Islamic related incidents to people.
Charity (Zakat, Fitr):
The apartment owners can together host a meal for poor people or approach an orphanage and provide them with a day’s meal. Apart from this, one can also donate clothes, alms and many other requisites to poor people. Zakat is considered as an important economic tool in Islamic Society.
Gift exchange:
Families in an apartment society can participate in a gift exchange event wherein everyone exchanges gifts with their loved ones, neighbours, relatives and friends. You can wish your near and dear ones through greeting cards, SMSes, phone calls or mails.
