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Did you know?

The only two festivals a Muslim is permitted to celebrate are the two Eid’s?(Eid al Fitr and

Eid al Adha)

‘Eid al Fitr. A time of celebrations. A time where family and friends get together. It is a day of food and drink after observing the thirty or twenty nine days of Ramadan. 

But this is just a summarized understanding. As mentioned in my previous article Islam is a holistic way of life. It goes without saying then, that ‘Eid al Fitr is so much more. Whilst there is much information about Fasting and Ramadan, we know very little about the etiquettes of ‘Eid – what we are recommended to do on this day and what is obligatory for us to do. Below is a brief list of some of the prescribed practices of ‘Eid.

Some etiquettes of ‘Eid 

1. It is established from the companion Ibn ‘Umar, that he used to bath on the morning of ‘Eid
2. It is known that the companion Ibn ‘Umar would also dressed in his best clothes for the two ‘Eids
3. It is compulsory on all adult sane Muslims to pray the ‘Eid prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded everyone including women, children and the elderly to attend. Even menstruating women should go to the place of congregation so that they may partake in the blessings
4. It is Sunnah to eat dates before one leaves for the ‘Eid prayer to show openly that the Muslim is not fasting on this day
5. It is Sunnah to say the Takbeer loudly when s/he is leaving the home to go the the ‘Eid prayer and repeat this until the prayer starts
6. It is preferable to pray the ‘Eid prayer on open ground and not in the masjid (mosque) if possible 
7. Neither the Adhan nor Iqamah (calls to prayer) are said for the ‘Eid prayer

In Qatar, if you are up early enough, you may get to see the Muslims walking to the ‘Eid prayer.

Zakat ul Fitr – the obligatory charity tax after Ramadan 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined Zakat al-fitr as purification for those who fasted from idle or obscene talk, and so as to feed the poor. He (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him) made it incumbent upon the slave and free Muslims, male or female to pay one sa’a of dates or barley to the poor before the ‘Eid prayer.

 Zakat al-Fitr must be food and not money. In terms of measurement, one sa’a is equivalent to approximately 3 kilograms of whatever is the staple food in the country the Muslim resides in.

What to say on the day of ‘Eid

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would say the Takbeer loudly when travelling to go to the ‘Eid prayer. Allah says and what means: “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185] 

“that you must magnify Allah” means venerating Him in your hearts and on your lips, by pronouncing the Takbeer.

So on the morning of ‘Eid you may hear the Muslims venerate: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Alahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah).

How to congratulate on ‘Eid

Muslims congratulate one another on the day of ‘Eid by saying, “Taqaballa Allahu mina wa minkum" (may Allah accept from you and us).

It is natural for anyone to look forward to a celebration, a party – if you will, and the Muslim is no different. It is clear that ‘Eid is a day where the Muslim continues to exalt Allah, the One God.

So what if ‘Eid falls on a Friday? 

If ‘Eid prayer falls on the same day as the Friday prayer, then whoever chooses to pray the ‘Eid prayer, it is not obligatory for him to pray the Friday prayer. Rather Friday prayer becomes recommended (a Sunnah) for him. However, it is obligatory for the Imam of the community to pray both the ‘Eid prayer and the Friday prayer. He cannot leave off Friday prayer because those who choose to pray Friday prayer need an Imam.

Gratitude on ‘Eid - a day to say thank you

Read more here here

Eid Activities at Souq Waqif - 2014

Souq Waqif is bubbling with kids having fun this Eid season. According to the schedules tomorrow 10th October 2014 would be the last day for all these activities and the timings are 5pm to 10pm.


Location for Souq Waqif could be found at www.rush360.qa by seraching for "Souq Waqif"

Entrance is free and all Bouncy Castle Activities and Colouring Activity are free of charge. The other rides and activities need tickets. Each ride or activity costs QR10 per person. Ticket Booths are available within the vicinity.




Little snack shops are around for water and snacks too!

Many different  Bouncy Castles and slides for different ages!

Adventure begins...

For the little guys and girls...

Climbing...

Some water fun......

Enhancing colouring skills..............

A young handsome guy with the "Gutra" concentrating.....

Group fun....

Football......................

A Wild Ride...........................

Smooth chariot ride................

Jumping high on the Trampoline.....

Shaking Hands..........................

Face Painting to scare...............

Farewell with a Train Ride....................

  

Parking was full, but surrounding areas have many parkings. You can take a short walk to the Souq! Enjoy!

Eid at The Pearl Qatar - 2014

The Pearl Qatar seems to be a pretty quiet place to enjoy Eid for kids. The Celebrations were held at Porto Arabia. 

Less traffic to get there too! There were few bouncy castles, a merry go round and few other activities for kids! According to the Qatar Tourism Authority itinerary these activities are on until 6th October 2014.

But still you can watch the Katara Fireworks peacefully from the Pearl today at 31 La Croisette near the Patagonia Restaurant which is the end of Porto Arabia. You may find a parking near by if not you can use the cabs to get there! Here are the pics taken from there. Enjoy!

Location for Pearl Qatar could be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for "Pearl".

Eid at Katara - 2014

Katara Cultural Village is having spectacular fireworks starting from last night and will go on till this Tuesday 7th October 2014. (timings 7.30 pm to 11 pm). Location for Katar could be found at www.rush360.qa by seraching for "Katara".

Here are some pics! Enjoy!

Qatar Prepares for Eidul Adha 2014 - The Day of Sacrifice!

Photo by  Ala Al Herz

Dhul Hijjah 

Dhul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic Calendar.  The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (Which we are in now) is the best days of the whole year as good deeds done during these days are most beloved to God Almighty.

These are days we can seek self-improvement, knowledge and gain blessings. We can increase acts of charity, kindness, helping family or friends, forgiving and trying to act upon our knowledge. Muslims around the world take advantage of these blessed days and engage in Prayers, Fasting, supplication, Remembering Allaah by glorifying and praising Him, reading and memorizing the Qur'aan, and increasing in worship.

Hajj - Pilgrimage

There are 5 pillars in Islam. Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It is the pilgrimage to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. All Muslims must attempt to do this at least once in their life, if they have the finance and health to do so.

The pilgrims wear simple white clothes called “Ihram” which symbolizes that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.

Hajj begins on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah

8th day of Dhul Hijjah: Millions of people travel to Makkah to Mina, they stay in tents in Mina and do acts of worship.

9th Dhul Hijjah: Everyone leaves Mina and goes to Arafat, the day is spent praying to Allah asking for forgiveness on behalf of others and themselves.This is the day that the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah and make supplication to Allaah. It is highly recommended for non pilgrims to fast on this day as the reward for fasting is the expiation of the minor sins of the previous year and the coming year! 

At night they travel to Muzdalifah, dhikr, prayer and collecting small pebbles to be used on the next day is done.

10th Dhul Hijjah: The stones they collected the night before are used to throw at pillars, the pillars represent the temptations of Satan and the stones represent Prophet Ibraheem's rejection of Satan and his will to remain with faith.

After this, the pilgrims sacrifice an animal, a sheep or goat, and the meat is given to the poor. This act shows their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Allaah. All Muslims Celebrate the Eidul Adha on this day.

The pilgrims return to Makkah and complete circumambulations 7 times around the Ka’aba and the running between the two hills safa and marwa 7 times. This is done in remembrance of Abraham’s (Ibraheem's) wife Hajar, who desperately searched in the area for water for herself and her son, before a spring welled up in the desert for her.

The pilgrims also drink from this ancient spring, known as Zamzam.

On the 11th,12th and the 13th of Dhul Hijjah pilgrims stay in Mina and Stone the pillars.

Stoning Pillar - Jamarat

With this Hajj is completed, they leave with a renewed faith.

Eidul Adha

“One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah and sacrifice his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded others and he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.” 

Eid Adha means to “sacrifice”. Remembering the Sacrifice of Ibraheem has  now become a celebration of sacrifice, and this reminds not only to sacrifice an animal, but to sacrifice our sins, our temptations and sacrifice ourselves to become better people to please our Lord!

One-third of the sacrificed meat is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor.

  

Qataris Celebrating Eidul Adha

On the morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local prayer grounds or mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts.

Everyone visits the grandparents home, this means extended family also. A lot of children and a lot of food, the entire family gathers to congratulate each other and spend time together.

Machboos (rice) is usually the main dish served with lamb, fish or chicken. Everyone sits on the floor, and the food is centered, food is eaten by the hand and everyone sits together. A wonderful feeling and atmosphere indeed.

That's delicious! Our sincere thanks to See My Culture for taking the time to share the info! Additionally they also came up with some of the Arabic Words and meanings that are commonly used during Eid! Try using them and impress others!

Salam: سلام

Hajj: حج

Charity: صدقة  (Sadaqa)

Journey: رحلة (Rahlat)

Prayer: صلاة   (Salah)

Lamb: خروف  (kharoof)

Tent: خيمة (khaima)

Faith: الإيمان (Iman)

Holiday: عطلة (A'tla)

Eid Mubarak: عيد مبارك‎ ( Said to wish everyone a great Eid )

  

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See My Culture is a group of Local Volunteers who aim to bridge the gap between the locals and the expats in Qatar through various interesting events. Follow them on Twitter and keep track of their events. Details of See My Culture could be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for "See My Culture".