LET US BE MUBARAK TO EID BY DOING ACTIONS THAT BENEFIT HUMANITY.
U-Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toNO6hXuAM4 ENGLISH
U-Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ZPOs1wbIo URDU
Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are not mentioned in the Qur’an. Eid means Festival.
EID-UL-HAJJ & EID-UL-QURAN respectively are the right names.
We have been saying “Eid Mubarak” to one another for centuries but it never proves to be Mubarak or blessed. It is high time that we should try to be Mubarak to Eid by doing actions that benefit humanity.
Eid-ul-Fitr (Festival of conclusion of fasting) - ‘Eid’ means festival and ‘fitr’ means conclusion of fasting. It is commonly understood to be a festival related to the end of Ramadhan. Get liberated from fasting and enjoy as thanksgiving! Ironically, less than 5% Muslims practice Saum (Abstinence) during this entire month. But everyone talks about it and many wear a deceptive look. They view "fasting" as a means of self-purification, of feeling the hunger of the poor, or simply as an act of piety. They believe that the "Thawaab" (return) of all good deeds and charity is increased manifold in this month. They think that Satan is imprisoned and Allah descends to the lower heaven to shower his Mercy.
Many Muslims calculate and give 2.5% of their wealth as Zakaat to the needy, recite the Qur’an profusely without understanding and try to "perform" much Namaaz. Zakaat, in fact, is due whenever we earn money ("the day of harvest" per Al-Qur’an 6:141) and whenever we have surplus (2:219).
On the Eid Day Namaaz, the "Imam" would recite 6 or 12 Takbirs, then Halwa Puri, new or flashy clothes, socialization, gift and card exchange; and that is the end of it. Any of these rituals present in the Qur’an? No! Do they bring about any change in us? - None whatsoever but a false sense of gratification. The Qur’an is a very pragmatic Book. It gives us the Purpose with each Command. Saum is the yearly training for Muslims to attain discipline and inculcate qualities in us so that we may establish Allah's Supremacy on earth (2:185). Think how 6 or 12 Takbirs make mockery of the Book of Allah!
What is Eid-ul-Fitr, then?
The Qu'an was revealed to the exalted Prophet in the month of Ramadhan, 610 CE. (2:185, 44:2-3, 97:1)
10:57 O Mankind! There has now come to you Enlightenment from your Sustainer, and a healing for all that troubles your hearts; and guidance, and grace to all who embrace it.
10:58 Say, “In this bounty of God and in His grace – in this, then, let them rejoice. It is better than all the treasures that they may amass.”
[FESTIVAL OF HAJJ = EID-UL-HAJJ]
Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of sacrifice) - ‘Eid’ means festival and ‘Adha’ is derived from ‘Udhiya’ or blood sacrifice. In fact, it is the thanksgiving, the culmination of Hajj on the 9th of Zil-Hajjah and celebrated on the 10th. ‘Udhiya’ is an Arabic word meaning "blood sacrifice". ‘Qurbani’ is used in Urdu and Persian. It is derived from the Arabic word "Qurban" which literally means an act performed to seek Allah’s pleasure. The concepts of ‘Udhiya’ and ‘Qurbani’ are non-Qur’anic. Blood sacrifice is a Pagan and Biblical ritual. Allah does not need to be pleased. See verse 14:8 and remember that Allah is Free of want. The obedience of His commands is good only for us.
Wassalam,
SA
SA