Assalamualaikum.
*Update.
FEid Al Fitr has always been very special to me, what with lemang, ketupat and rendang, mom and sisters baking cookies, dad decking up our home and light a pelita. The early morning wearing new cloth and doing Eid prayer at mosque. This memory is very precious to myself and surely everyone experienced it. Eid literally means a ‘festival’ or ‘feast’ in Arabic. Eid Al Fitr is related directly to religious basis because our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW said that Allah SWT giving us two big festival every year, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. Eid Al Fitr is related to completing the fast in Ramadhan and Eid Al Adha is related to performing sacrificial rituals. These festivals we not just enjoy and celebrate without religion guide, but there are fulfil with divinity spiritual and sense as a servant of Allah.
Islam is a most beautiful religion because any original customs or habits belongs to any races background can absorbed and accepted in Islam as long not contrary with Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah. Because of that, we can see most of the Muslims with colourful of clothes, ornaments and preparations suitable to their ability. Islam is not distinguish between rich and poor people and the Eid Al Fitr can be celebrate by all. One of traditions is giving money or duit raya, like from parents to their son, neighbours, boss to their staff, fellow siblings, or anybody who we can be found. This practice has a great meaning and being one of social tradition. It is about sharing our thankfulness, happiness and advantages we have with others.
When a pandemic attacks the globe, Eid Al Fitr is not like before which is we can visit others. But for me the happiness of Edi Al Fitr can still be felt, one of them is giving money, especially to children. Without a pandemic they may be impatient, but in a pandemic situation, children will be reminded, “Please remember, wear your mask and follow the line... Please note your distance in one meter with the other. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules, they can't get this 'duit raya'..." Finally, in celebrating Eid Al Fitr, everyone, including children, must take care of themselves and always be vigilant so as not to be infected with the virus.
This social tradition started from the early middle ages when Fatimid caliphs distributed money and gifts like sweets and clothes to young and old citizens on the first day of Eid. But by the end of the Ottoman period, this tradition had changed. By the time of Eid Al Fitr, this tradition had largely evolved to refer to small amounts of cash given by their parents to children or older relatives within the family. That custom is not a universal practice. Some families do not give cash because of Eid Al Fitr, but simply share happiness as a reward for successfully completing a month's fast in Ramadan.
Whatever our intentions, ways, types of gift also a cash, all of this included in a big perspective of manners in Islam. Principles of Islam and local customs give so colourful of our Eid. No one are obstructed from doing many good deeds in their live, because Allah loves those who do good things.
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