Every Nation or community has a few festivals which indicate their historical as well as religious significance. The day when the blazing fire of Namrud was cooled down for Ibrahim Khalilullah (A.S.), became the Eid for his Ummah. The day when Yunus (A.S.) set free from the bondage of Fish, became the Eid for his followers. When Essa (A.S.) extended following Doa:

 "O Our Rab! Descend upon us Maedah from the heaven, which may become Eid for us".

Therefore, the day when Maedah was bestowed to the Ummah of Essa (A.S.) became their Eid. Similarly, the Ummah of Mohammad (S) observed Eid as blessing on the completion of the month of Ramazan. Eid al Fitar is such a joyful day when bliss and pleasures spreads in the entire world. I am cherishing a glorious but ignored period of the Muslim History, while power of Bani Fatemah had risen from the North Africa . Flag of the Fatemi Empire was waving with full force in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Europe . It was the period of the Fatemi Imam Moiz, when the conqueror of Misar, Syedna Johar al Siqali had founded the city of "Al Moizziyat al Qahera" and built "Al Jame al Azhar". The landmark achievements of the Fatemi Empire were magnificent Masajid, splendid buildings, wonderful educational institutions; great hospitals, splendid-roads, resplendent business centers, which  pointed out superb culture and sophisticated prosperous society. The city of Al Qaherah was at the height of its progress on account of the enlightened approach of its rulers. In that glorious era of Muslim history, when Eid al Fitar approached, the Fatemi Imam used to visit for Salaat al Eid mounted on the royal horse with retinue. The Masalla (Eid Gah) was built by Syedna Johar al Siqali. Imam Moiz offered Eid Salaat with total devotion. Syedna al Qazi al Numan recited Takbir. After completion of the Salaat, the Fatemi Khalifah rested on the Minbar, greeted Salaam upon those who were sitting on the right and left and then delivered a Khutbah with full of eloquence. After delivering the first part of the Khutbah, he sat down at the higher step of the Minbar  with him were Syedna Qaidjohar, Commander of the Fatemi Forces, Ammaar bin Jafar and Shafi, the flag bearer. He recited the Kalemah twice and then began the second part of the Khutbah. Then he recited Doa with repentance and tears. His manner of Doa itself introduced that he is one of Ahl al Zikar. Tears automatically rolled down from the eyes of the listeners. In the end of the Khutbah, Imam Moiz proceeded towards the cantonment. From the cantonment, he left to Al Qasr al Mualla, where a great crowed had waited to attend the Safrah (Dastar Khawan) arranged by the Fatemi Imam. A very long and spacious Safrah was spread for the guests. What a blissful time it was, when the emperor and the public mixed with each other. It was an ideal Empire that gave a new phase of renaissance to the Ummah. They provide us an opportunity to understand the Nabawi practice in the faculty of politics. Fatemi Imams strongly demonstrated the meaning of divine politics. They have left a glaring example for coming Muslim generations to follow.

The banquet on the occasion of Eid al Fitar is described by the Ruby of Badakhshan, Hujjat of Khurasaan, Dai of Imam Mustansir, Syedi Nasir Khwsrau. He mentioned as follow: "it was the tradition of the Bani Fatemah to decorate the court and arranged a ceremony. Prominent figures from all corners, like aristocrats, courtiers, Ulama and Sadaat were invited. After Salaam and Tehniyaat session a feast was served in the honor of the guests. Each invitee was seated, as per protocol. It was the first audience of Dai Nasir in the Fatemi court. He was mesmerized by observing the grandeur of the court. He discussed the feast arrangements and informed variety of food dishes in the form of trees and palaces made of sugars were prepared on that occasion".

(Safarnamah, Syed Abu Moiniuddin Nasir Khusraw, Germany ).

On the joyous occasion of Eid al Fitar we should not forget the original principles and higher values of Islam. Our purpose is to build a modern enlightened Muslim Society. Our joy on Eid al Fitar should not confine to celebrate it as a festival only but it is a time to re-establish the broken hearts through moral and financial support. It is an appropriate time to demonstrate the Sunnat of Muwasaat with full devotion. We should not forget the less fortune class, around us. It is a high-time to share in the sorrow of other similar unfortunates, with all possible manners. Youngsters should share their time with elders, who live with nothing but memories. All of us can contribute some of our time by volunteering to work for the charity and the welfare of the Ummah. Eid al Fitar is a renewal and reaffirmation of love, caring and sharing. Eid no doubt is a feast of joy and goodwill and when it arrives we try to be kind in sharing love and goodwill. It is also a festival of gifts, gifts of sincerity of heart and charity of sacrifices. According to the philosophy of Islam, Eid means the completion of the period of Siyaam, partaking in the joys of the Ibadat. It is that festival of Islam in which Joy is blended with love, sincerity is blended with sympathy and culture of Islam is combined with happiness. Festival of Eid is not like any other festival of other nations, which celebrates with Israaf. It is a festival to recount the divine favor. The real Hikmat of Eid al Fitar is that a person should keep his heart and conscience clear. Keep away from sins and remain far away from vices. Eid al Fitar is not only a festival but a time to commit oneself to the sharing of our wealth and happiness with those who are less fortunate. Eid al Fitar is a rekindling and reaffirmation of love, caring and sharing.

It is essential to consider deeply in Ayat No.114 of Surat al Maedah. The son of Mariyam (A.S.) offered Doa with full devotion and submission as follow:

"O Rabb! Reviled upon us Maedah from the sky, which may become Eid for us and for our future generations and it, may become a miracle in our favor from You. Confer on us (physical and spiritual) Rizaq and You are the best sustainer of Rizaq".

 If we consider with Marefat and Basirat in the above Doa of Essa (A.S.), the concept would be crystal clear that the above Doa al Mustajaab of Essa (A.S.) is not only for his period; but also for all ages and time to come. The believers of the past, present and the coming generations have been spoken in this Doa of Eid. This perpetual Doa of Essa Nabi (A.S.) will continue till the Qiyamat. The time for Eid is fixed; but spiritual Eid is beyond any limit of time. From the Aalam al Ruhani the Maedah of Hidayat descends, which is the real source of inner satisfaction and it is not possible through any physical food. Allah has grant Barakaat and Sadaat of Maedah in every age and epoch for the seekers of Najaat. For the divine favour of Maedah, Doa, efforts, struggle and planning are helpful. Without Taqwa, attainment of Naimat and Najaat is not possible.  Allah may bless us with blessings of both worlds with the gift of Rizaq, in Dunya and Akhirat. It is indispensable to ignore a Doa, which I heard during Ramazan, offered by Dr. Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin with tears:

"O Allah! If our Rizaq is in the Sky, You may allow it to descend, if it is under the Earth You may put it out for us; if it is far then bring it closer to us. If it is closer to us then make it available without difficulty for us. If it is small in quantity then make it plenty. If it is sufficient, you may infuse in it Barakat for us", Ameen ,

("Khazaenu Barakaatil Doa", Mumbai).

Another beautiful Doa comes on my lips which says:

"O Allah! Send Salawaat upon Mohammad (S.) and Aale Mohammad. Listen to my secret Doa, Grant acceptance to my Doa with respect and honor when I turn back from Salaat al Eid. No Difficulty can break Your will and You are never unable to grant the things asked from You, You are capable of everything. There is no fear and power except that of Allah, who is great and of a lofty status".

(Al Sahefa al Sajaddiyah", by: Imam Ali Zain al Abedeen, Qahera).

Allah would give us strength to uphold our Imaan. May our Taat secure for us Najaat and Allah shower upon us His Barakaat. Allah may bestow always upon us Naimat in Zahir and Batin for ever by Wasilah of Rasulullah (S) and his Itrat. Amir al Mumeneen Ali (A.S.) said: "Eid is for one who's Siyaam has been granted by Allah and He looked towards once devotion with admiration. "The day in which no sin has been committed is an Eid day". In the Lexicon of the Arabi language several meanings of Eid have been discussed. A few of them are as follows:

·         Eid is the day when people get-together and remember Allah & His chosen ones. ("Ikhwaan al Safa", by: Imam Ahmad al Mastur, Qahera,).

·         Famous writer of 800 Majalis, Syedna al Moayyad al Shirazi says: "Eid al Fitar is sign of culmination of the Siyaam of Ramazan. People would achieve Najaat through Wala, as they get Najaat of Siyaam through Eid.

·         "ilm" is a divine food, the one who got it, enjoys the sacred Eid for ever.

·         Eid is an occasion when Ummah refresh the Sunnat of Musafeha & Muaneqah, without discrimination.

The Author is Attorney at Law & Religious Scholar.

Email:qazishkborhan y@hotmail. com