06-20-2011, 04:27 PM
We celebrate two Eids-Eid-ul-Fiter and Eid-ul-Azha every year. Both are happy and holy days. both are days of rejoicing and prayer. The Shawal moon announces the arrival of Eid-ul-Fiter. It is the end of Ramazan, the holy month of fasting. The next morning the Muslims assemble in a great thanks-giving congregation. They thank the merciful Allah for giving them opportunity and strength to observe the sacred fasts. They sacred fasts. They ask him to forgive them for their weaknesses and sins. They reaffirm their vow of faithfulness of Allah. The evening, when the moon is expected to appear, is a memorable evening. As the sun goes down, the faithful break their fast and offer the Nimaz-i-Maghrib. Then they rush to the roofs of their houses and join the search for moon. They turn their eyes towards the Western horizon. On search for moon. On every house top there are scores of people, all scanning the sky with Keen, expectant eyes. Then someone sport the thin silvery arc. He raises him arm towards the moon and shouts triumphantly. The moon is there. Other people, too, have seen the moon by now. They take up the happy shout and for sometime everyone is shouting. The moon is there, the moon is there. Someone explodes a cracker to announce the sighting of the moon. The people raise their hands in prayer. Children are particularly fond of seeing the Eid moon. As they sight it, their faces light up with joy. The dinner is eaten in a joyous mood. The programs for the Eid day are discussed. The menu is planned. Every member of the family wants a favourite dish in the morning. Last touches are given to the clothes prepared fot the festival. The moon of Zil Haj is the harbinger of Eid-ul-Azha. Ten days after the appearance of the moon , this festival is celebrated. It commemorates the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail by his father Hazrat Ibrahim. Allah asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son to him. Ibrahim willingly put the knife on his son, s neck. But Allah saved Ismail, Ibrahim and Ismail had stood the test of faithfulness. A ram was then sacrificed. Now the Muslims sacrifice ram to keep fresh the memory of that sacrifice. The great activity that marks the appearance of the Eid-ul-fiter moon is not repeated this time. All the rejoicings and celebrations are reserved for the Eid day is busy, happy and a memorable day