Eid will be different this time for Muslims across the globe. Due to the Corona Virus, many types of restrictions have been imposed all over the world. In Muslim countries also, people were asked not to offer prayers in mosques in the holy month of Ramadan.
In such a situation, Saudi Arabia’s topmost Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said that it is appropriate to offer Eid prayer at home in these unusual circumstances and in view of the current global pandemic scenario. He said that Eid prayers can be recited at home and prayers can be done alone or with family in the Jamaat. Urging Saudi citizens to offer Eid prayers at home, Mufti Azam said that in such a pandemic situation, parents should spend most of their time at home with their children.
On the same lines, Muslims clerics of India have conjointly suggested Indian Muslims to offer Eid prayer at home. The spiritual leaders of Muslims have also issued a set of guidelines to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr this year.
Countries top and most influential Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa asking Indian Muslims to offer Eid prayers at home, instead of congregating at Eidgahs.
Chairperson of Islamic Centre of India, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali has appealed for a simple Eid, “As the world is going through a tough phase because of COVID-19 and many have lost their lives, I request all to celebrate Eid with simplicity.”
A similar appeal has been made by Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas, as he asked people to follow the lockdown guidelines on the day of Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Some of the guidelines issued by both Sunni & Shia clerics for Indian Muslims as follows:
- Do not spend unnecessarily on new clothes, rather donate these savings to poor & needy
- No public offering of Eid Prayer – Pray at home
- Only 5 people will offer Namaz-e-Eid in Mosques/Eidgahs across the country
- Give Sadqa-e-Fitr to needy before Eid Namaz
- Pray as much as possible on the day of Eid, as Eid is the day of acceptance
- Pray for the country and entire world asking Allah for relief from the coronavirus pandemic.
- Celebrate Eid with simplicity
- Do not hug and handshake while greeting each other
- Greet family and friends over the phone or social media
Along with these guidelines, many messages are circulating on social media groups like “no new clothes, just wear your best clothes.” In many messages people are urging there family and friends to fill this Eid with spirituality rather than lavish expenditure on the celebration, also urging to pay a school fee of a needy child or help someone with paying their rent who has lost their livelihood due to lockdown. It can be seen in the photographs that are being received from all over the country how the Muslim youths and organizations are helping the migrant laborers and daily wagers.
