Many people wonder why we celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan. Are we happy that Ramadan has finished? How can we be happy that such a great month of Allah, with all its blessings and mercies, has gone away?
The actual reason we celebrate Eid is not because we are glad the holy month is over, but because we are thankful to Allah for giving us the chance and the strength to carry out His commands in the blessed month. We are happy that we were able to fast and pray in Ramadan, and have hopefully attained Taqwa, the goal of fasting.
In the holy Quran Allah talks about Eid. He says in Sura al-Baqarah, ayat no.185: You shall complete the number (of days) and you may glorify God for His guiding you, and that you may be thankful. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) has a very beautiful hadith about Eid in which he says: Eid is for him whose fasts have been accepted by Allah, and whose worship has been appreciated by Allah. Everyday in which you do not disobey Allah is a day of Eid.
This hadith is something to think about. Every day in which we do not commit a single sin, is actually a day of Eid for us. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) and our Imams (peace be upon them) celebrated Eid and encouraged all Muslims to do so.
They told Muslims to wear good clothes, put on perfume, and go to the mosque to recite the Eid prayer. They also said we should exchange Eid greetings, visit each other, and generally pass the day joyfully.
We are supposed to remember the poor by taking out the fitrah before Eid, and visiting them and sending them gifts if we can. The day of Eid is meant for remembering Allah. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) says: "Give beauty to your Eid by doing Takbir".
It is said that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) himself used to come out of his home on the day of Eid, reciitng the Takbir and glorifying Allah in a loud voice. Let me narrate to you a beautiful story about a day of Eid during the time of our eighth Imam, Imam Ali ar-Ridha (peace be upon him).
Mamoon who was the Khalifa at that time, had appointed the Imam (peace be upon him) as his successor. When the day of Eid approached, mamoon sent a message to request the Imam (peace be upon him) to lead the Eid prayer. Imam (peace be upon him) refused at first, but when Mamoon insisted he said he would lead the prayer in the same way as his grandfather the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny)) did. Mamoon agreed.
On the morning of Eid, Imam (peace be upon him) took a bath and changed his clothes. He put on a white turban and applied perfume. He came out of his home barefooted. He took a few steps, turned his face towrads the sky, and said the takbir; Allahu Akber, Allahu Akber.
The people of the city had flocked to see the Imam (peace be upon him) come to lead the Eid prayer. They responded loudly to the Takbir of the Imam (peace be upon him). Allahu Akber, they said. The effect was magnetic. People began to throw off their shoes to become bare-footed like the Imam (peace be upon him), and they all followed him to the Mosque, reciting the Takbir as they went.
When Mamoon heard of the effect Imam (peace be upon him) was having on the people, he was scared. He quickly sent a message to the Imam (peace be upon him) that Imam (peace be upon him) should return to his home, and that he himself was coming to lead the Eid prayer.
Celebrating Eid unites Muslims. As a community, they get closer to work together to make it a memorable occasion. Eid prayers, and other programs held to celebrate it allow Muslims to meet and enjoy the company of one another.
Eid Mubarak, O you who fasted Eid Mubarak, brothers and sisters in Islam. Today is Eid, a day of good deeds. Today is Eid, indeed a time for treats. Today my friends, do your duty, pay your Fitr dues. Help the unfortunate, they'll find any of much use. Help the needy, give the zakat, collect the blessings.
Allah is Supreme, He'll make your life ever befitting. Forget not the prayers, the Holy Quran, their value is astounding. Be ready on the call of Adhaan Pray for yourself, pray for others, pray for good all the time. Say the prayers, recite the Quran, make your life sublime.
Come on, Muslims; let us all converge on one ground. Let us all say the prayers together, with one command Shoulder to shoulder we'll stand, together we'll bow Allahu Akber, let the cry be heard all over now. Eid Mubarak, believers in One, Allah Almighty Be joyous today, forget that anxiety Cheer the sad, shake a hundred hands. Strengthen the weak, towards children be kind.
Eid Mubarak, success be yours this day. All that you wish yourself I pray May you shine, May you follow Allah's way.
source : sibtayn
