XXXVII.—ʾID-UL-FITR, OR THE
LESSER FESTIVAL.
ʾId-ut-Fitr (lit. "the feast of breaking the fast"), is called also the feast of Ramazán, the Feast of Alms, and the Minor Festival. It is held on the first day of the month of Shawwál, which is the day after the close of the Ramazán fast. On this day, before going to the place of prayer, the Sadaqa, or propitiatory offerings, are made to the poor in the name of God. The offerings having been made, the people assemble either in the Jamaʾ-i-Masjid (i. e. the principal mosque), or proceed to the ʾIdgah, which is a special place for worship on festivals. The worship commences with two rakʾat prayers, after which the Imám takes his place on the second step of the mimbar (pulpit) and recites the Khutbah, concluding with a prayer for the king. After this is ended, he offers up a munáját, or supplication, for the people, for the remission of sins, the recovery of the sick, increase of rain, abundance of corn, preservation from misfortune, and freedom from debt. He then descends to the ground, and makes further supplication for the people, the congregation saying Amín at the end of each supplication. At the close of the service the members of the congregation salute and embrace each other, and offer mutual congratulations, and then return to their homes, and spend the rest of the day in feasting and merriment.