Unity
in Eid and Fasting is Compulsory.
Beginning the fasting of Ramadan, Eidul Fitre
and Eidul Adha are observed by the Indian Muslims on different Days of the
week. Is it possible to unify this as a common Day for the world? This is a
question raised by many of our friends with sadness. Let us examine.
Prima facie, Fasting and Feasting cannot go
together. If some people fasted while the others feasted it will be awkward and
a true religion cannot allow it. Fasting is to be observed in the month of Ramadan,
says the Qur'aan. A month is a measure of time and the period of Ramadan cannot
be different for the people on earth. It would begin on a particular Day of the
week and end on a particular Day. Days of the week are common for all. Days
have names and they are known by
their names. The first of Shawwal is the Day fixed for the Eidul Fitre and the
first of a month cannot fall on two Dates of the Islamic calendar.
The Day begins at a particular place on the
Earth and follows gradually changing from place to place in succession. It
proceeds throughout the world and remains the same until 24 hours even though
some one's night is some one's day on the globe. The Shariah does not require
fasting at night and the beginning of a fast prevails till 24 hours in the same
way as the Jumu'a prayer, till 24 hours throughout the Globe. If it exceeds 24
hours the people would be observing the Jumu’a or Eid prayer for more than one
day (24 hours) and the Shariah would not allow it. So celebrating the Eid for
more than one Day (24 hours) is out of question. If the people of a place
celebrated Eid on a Friday, all should celebrate it on that Friday.