Hari Raya Puasa
The festival of Eid, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa which falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Hijrah (Islamic) calendar.
It is a celebratory occasion following by a month of fasting, which is known as Ramadan. Hari Raya for Malay is "grand day of rejoicing". Fasting is called Puasa in Malay.
The aim of this festival is to promote peace, strengthen the feeling of brotherhood and bring oneself back to the normal course of life after a month-long period of self-denial and religious devotion.
The festival of Eid, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa which falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Hijrah (Islamic) calendar.
It is a celebratory occasion following by a month of fasting, which is known as Ramadan. Hari Raya for Malay is "grand day of rejoicing". Fasting is called Puasa in Malay.
The aim of this festival is to promote peace, strengthen the feeling of brotherhood and bring oneself back to the normal course of life after a month-long period of self-denial and religious devotion.
History of Ramadan
According to the Islamic tradition, it was in the year 610 A.D. that Prophet Muhammad, while meditating in Mount Hira one night during the month of Ramadan, had a vision of the angel Jibril (also known as Gabriel) appearing before him telling his name to Muhammad and declaring to the latter that he was the messenger of God.
According to the Islamic tradition, it was in the year 610 A.D. that Prophet Muhammad, while meditating in Mount Hira one night during the month of Ramadan, had a vision of the angel Jibril (also known as Gabriel) appearing before him telling his name to Muhammad and declaring to the latter that he was the messenger of God.
Jibril : "Iqraa" (meaning "read" or "recite")
Though the angel informed him that he was the messenger of Allah and was going to be a prophet for his people, Muhammad was greatly disturbed by Jibril as he at first considered the angel as an evil spirit and then his wife Khadijah who allayed his fears reminding him of his good conduct until then and that it was impossible for him to be visited by a demon.
Even her much learned old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal convinced him that he was indeed a messenger of God and the angel who visited Muhammad was the one who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.
Muhammad was of forty years of age at this time.In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who taught him the holy knowledge in verses.
Though the angel informed him that he was the messenger of Allah and was going to be a prophet for his people, Muhammad was greatly disturbed by Jibril as he at first considered the angel as an evil spirit and then his wife Khadijah who allayed his fears reminding him of his good conduct until then and that it was impossible for him to be visited by a demon.
Even her much learned old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal convinced him that he was indeed a messenger of God and the angel who visited Muhammad was the one who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.
Muhammad was of forty years of age at this time.In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who taught him the holy knowledge in verses.
It is said that the sacred knowledge was revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. As a mark of respect to Allah and to show gratitude to him for the true knowledge that he gifted to his sons and daughters, the prophet asked his followers (and therefore the followers of Islam) to pass the month of Ramadan in fasting, prayers and other austerities and end the month-long non-indulgence with festive celebrations. This is how Eid-Ul-Fitr was born. This celebration ends the ninth month and begins the tenth month of Shawwal with absolute happiness and contentment for the ability to sacrifice for Allah.