Festivals occupy an important place in life of every nation. They reflect the emotional as well as intellectual side of nation life. They mark the cultural aspect of a nation. They tell us about the life style and cultural, social and moral norms of a nation. They reflect upon the achievements and progress of a nation. Festivals indicate the way of nation celebrates their joy and pleasures.
Like other nations of the world, the Muslims have two festivals in a year. Muslims celebrate these festivals with great pomp and show. One is Eid-al-Fitr and other is Eid-al –Adha. There are also special days which also Muslims celebrates.
• Al-Hijra (1 Muharram)
• The Islamic New Year’s Day.
This festivals commemorate Hijra in 622 CE when Prophet (peace be upon Him) moved from Makah to Medina. This is the beginning of growth of Islam into the world. That’s why Muslim calendars counts dates from Hijra and they have suffix A.H.
• Ashura (10 Muharram)
This is a holiday for Shi’a Muslims particularly, and they commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in 680 CE.
• Mewled a Nabi (12 Rabi’)
The birthday of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
But Muslim of whole world celebrates Eid festivals very joyfully. These two Eid festivals are celebrated in two different Islamic Lunar months all around the world. On the day of Eid people offer prayers in the form of groups and express their happiness. People usually gather in Mosque or an open land to thank Allah for His forgiveness for all sins and for His blessings. Muslims believes that if they lead their lives on true path, never lies, never hurt others with their hands and with their tongues, believe in uniformity in all Muslims and never get proud on themselves then they will get their designation that is Heaven. So it is clear that Muslims celebrations are not only expressions of happiness but it is also express the spiritual happiness. After Eid prayers people hug each other. Eid is a time to spread happiness, love and equality there by creating enthusiasm among all the family members and relatives.
Eid-ul-Fitr, is called feast of breaking fast. Ramzan is the Holy month of Muslims because Allah has revealed Holy Quran on His Prophet in this month. The month of Ramzan comes to an end, when crescent moon sighted on first of Shawwal. In this Holy month Muslim keep fasting from sun sets to sun rise, they eats nothing. They keep fating, pray five times a day, do charity and go on pilgrimage. On this day there is get together at Muslim’s house for Eid meal, which has special dishes and variety of desserts. After that people visits their relatives and friends to wish them Happy Eid.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of the last month of lunar moth. This Eid is celebrated in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S), who scarifies his son in the way of God. At the time of Eid-ul-Adha, people go to pilgrimage and give sacrifice of sheep, goats, cows and camels etc. in the remembrance of the sacrifice given by Prophet Ibrahim and followed and obeyed what His God ordered. Muslims believes that they obey same God of Prophet Ibrahim who is very to Him.
Religion plays a significant role in Muslims culture. Muslim believes in Oneness of God. Their concept of religion is oneness of God. They celebrate festivals by the order of God. They try to spend their lives as per God’s wish. Likewise in their Festivals Muslims remember their God and they celebrate Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha for the sake of God’s mercy and heaven after death.
