Faithful Reflections

Eid al- Fitr  is one of the most significant and joyous religious festivals observed by Muslims globally. It signifies the successful completion of the month-long period of fasting during Ramadan , the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar . The festival commences on the first day of  Shawwāl , the tenth month, immediately following the sighting of the new crescent moon. I. The Divine Legislation and Spiritual Meaning The designation of this day as  'Eid  is rooted deeply in theological and linguistic definitions that underscore its profound spiritual significance: Linguistic Derivation:  The Arabic term  'Eid  is derived primarily from the verb  'aada-ya 'oodu , signifying "he returned or he returns," reflecting a gathering that recurs annually. A secondary derivation traces it to  'Aadah , meaning "custom" or "habit".  Ibn al-'Arabee concluded that  'Eid  was so named "because it returns every year with renewed hap...