File Photo
EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims from around the world will be preparing for Eid-el-Fitr also known as “festival of breaking the fast”.
Eid celebrations depend on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities.
A new moon was not sighted on Saturday evening after Maghrib prayers. This means that Eid celebrations will begin on Monday, May 2 in Nigeria, according to the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan made the declaration in a statement on Saturday signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs Sultanate Council, Sokoto.
He said the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in Conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting committees across the country.
Lunar months last either 29 or 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until after sunset on the 29th day to verify its date.
On the 29th night of the month, local moon sighters will scan the horizon for the crescent Moon. If the new moon is visible, the next day will be Eid.
If not, Muslims will then fast one more day to complete a 30-day month. When the sighting has been verified, Eid-el-Fitr is declared nationwide.
The month of Ramadan is significant in that it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) got the first revelation of the Holy Quran during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to Islamic belief, it began after the Battle of Badr, in which Muslims triumphed under the leadership of the Prophet.
Eid-el-Fitr is a celebration that heralds a successful month of fasting, praying and refraining from all negative actions, thoughts and words and is a way of paying respect to Allah (S.W.A.).
Zakat-ul-fitr is an obligatory kind of almsgiving for the less fortunate that every able Muslim is expected to do at the end of Ramadan.
“The goal of the Zakat-ul-fitri is to allow needy people to enjoy Eid-el-Fitr and avoid being hungry on that day,” Chief Imam of the Uthman Bin Affan Mosque in Wuse, Abuja, Sheikh Huseyn Zakaria said.
“The amount of zakat al-fitrah is one sa’i, which is four double handfuls of grains, and it is the same for all Muslims regardless of age or money.”
“This type of charity becomes obligatory for able-bodied Muslims and is expected to be distributed on the last day of fasting.”
Clerics all around the world usually sound a note of warning, particularly to youths, on the need to celebrate Eid with a huge sense of caution and in moderation.
FURTHER READING
Muslims are usually enjoined to refrain from unholy acts which they ditched during the month of Ramadan and not get carried away during the Eid celebration.
“Most people squandered their rewards acquired during Ramadan just by disobeying Islamic teachings on how to celebrate Eid al-Fitrah festival by engaging in illicit acts in the name of joy,” the Chief Imam also lent his voice.
Click to watch our video of the week
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has presented a ₦971 billion budget proposal for the…
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a three-day state visit to France,…
The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Interior, led by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,…