Eid is usually synonymous with the following: food, money, cake, sweets, food… oh, I mentioned that already… and awesome clothes. But while it is a celebration, the aforementioned is not all that Eid is about. I’m here to tell you a bit more about this blessed day - and I’ll try to not talk too much about seafood curry.

 

You have how many Eids?

 

Muslims celebrate two Eids. The one after the fast is called Eid-ul-Fitr. Then there is another one called Eid-ul-Adha. Eid-ul-Adha is to commemorate the trials of Abraham and his son, Isaac. We call them the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismael respectively. The term ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ translates to ‘Feast of Sacrifice’. Yes, I said ‘sacrifice’. No, this has nothing to do with suicide bombing.

The idea is that we are supposed to sacrifice an animal such as a sheep or a goat. We are allowed to eat meat but only if we pronounce His name while taking the animal’s life. By saying the name of Allah (Peace be upon Him) at the time of slaughter we are reminded that life is sacred. A third of the meat is given to the poor, another third is given to immediate and extended family and the remainder to friends.

 

Since it is to remember the story of Prophet Ibrahim, the act symbolises the willingness to give up things that are close to our hearts (as he felt about his son) and the willingness to give up some of our own things to strengthen friendship and help those in need. See? It’s not all as bloodthirsty as it might seem.

 

Eid-ul-Fitr is the Eid that most people know about. Around the world, it is known as ‘Sugar Feast’ or ‘The Sweet festival’. The term ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ translates to ‘Feast of Breaking the Fast’. I am also sure you have all noticed that Eid inspires a lot of profile pictures the next day. After approximately 29 days of fasting, we are not permitted to fast on Eid.

 

Bet you’re glad it’s over, right?

 

On the 7 August this year, I felt a mixture of emotions. It was

thought by many that the 8th August would be Eid. Because of this, most of us scheduled our week accordingly. So if something was due that day but you thought it was Eid and you didn’t complete it, you were screwed. On the 29th day of fasting, excitement fills the air. But at the same time there is a possibility that Eid won’t be the next day. If it is announced that Eid will be the following day, one will also feel a bit sad that it is over.

 

I bet you’re thinking “After a month of no food and 24-hour bad breath, are you really sad that it is over?” Well… yes, actually. Fasting isn’t all about staying without food. It was about getting close to Allah and ‘detoxing’ ourselves mentally and physically. So yes, bad breath was awful but it was beautiful noticing the peace and friendship among people.

 

What happens exactly?

 

Now let me tell you how my Eid went. Let’s put it like this: I felt as if I had even something as small as a raisin, my stomach would explode and I had a terrible toothache. In other words, I had a fabulous day. I don’t get to have cake and sweets every single day of my life (some do call it ‘Sugar feast’ after all). People prayed in the morning and we visited relatives and friends. A half-hour was spent discussing everyone’s well-being, the studies and/or job, other family members and the weather - in that order.

 

As we headed for the door we received money. It’s the spirit of giving that kicked in. By lunchtime I was full. I mentally blamed everyone whom I visited because everyone had such nice things (well, I know I could have just said ‘no’ but…). Guess what was waiting at home? Seafood curry. One does not simply pass an opportunity to eat seafood curry. Even though I was full, I ate of it. By the late afternoon, we stopped visiting people and just spent time at home together.

 

I hope this gave you a bit more insight into what this blessed day actually means. Besides exceptional food, looking nice and taking new profile pictures, there is a lot more to Eid than people think. It’s a time to reconnect with people whom you haven’t seen in a while. It is a time for giving and spreading the love.