Malaysia is one of the unique countries in the world. It is a country diverse in its ethnicity, religion, culture, language, etc. People of different faith groups coexist in a harmonious manner by acknowledging the rights of others to practice their faith and observe their days of festive. When it comes to festivals celebrated in the country, Eid-ul-Fitr becomes the most grandest with all its significance.

1. The Spiritual and Social Aspects of Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration in Malaysia1
Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak2
Raudlotul Firdaus3
Malaysia is one of the unique countries in the world. It is a country diverse in its ethnicity,
religion, culture, language, etc. People of different faith groups coexist in a harmonious manner
by acknowledging the rights of others to practice their faith and observe their days of festive.
When it comes to festivals celebrated in the country, Eid-ul-Fitr becomes the most grandest
with all its significance.
A few days before the start of the Eid, nationwide, millions of people will return back to their
villages and hometowns to join in the celebration with their dear and near ones. As the days get
closer to Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslim masses start to move towards their place of origin, leaving behind
the hustle and bustle of city life. Major cities in the country become deserted because of this
mass exodus, very particularly the city of Kuala Lumpur.
Like Muslims elsewhere in the world, Malaysian Muslims will rejoice in happiness in ushering
the crescent of Syawwal which marks a victorious victory of a successful completion of the fast
in month of Ramadhan. Philosophically and spiritually, Ramadhan is a period of time for self-
reflection, reading of the Qur’an, contemplation and purification of all base elements/emotions
that linger around the human heart. Besides rejoicing in happiness, Muslims also cry in
lamenting the end of fasting in Ramadhan. For them, Ramadhan which provided an opportunity
for spiritual cleansing through tilawah, zikr, taraweh, taubah, etc. is gone. More often in
Malaysia, at the end of Ramadhan one hears spiritually awaken Muslims raise the question as
to whether they will be given the opportunity by Allah to meet Ramadhan in the following year.
One of the meanings and significances of the Eid-ul- Fitr celebration, is the return of Man to his
primordial nature through the spiritual activities that he has gone through in Ramadhan. In
Islam, the concept of Fitrah explains that every child is born sinless and innocent with a good
nature. On the morning of the Eid celebration, the Muslim masses congregate in places of
worship to perform their Eid prayer. Upon completing the prayer, many also visit graves to
remember of those who have passed away. After visiting the graves of family members, people
1
E-Bulletin August 2016-Issue:2, http://www.iium.edu.my/sites/default/files/E-Bulletin%20August%202016%20-ISSUE%202.pdf
2
Assistant Professor at the Department of Fundamental & Inter-Disciplinary Studies, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed
Knowledge and Human Sciences. IIUM. Email address: maarji@iium.edu.my
3
Assistant Professor at the Department of Qur’an & Sunnah, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed
Knowledge and Human Sciences. IIUM. Email address: rawda@iium.edu.my

2. congregate in their houses to a feast with special dish and delicacies that are specially prepared
during the Eid celebration. After breakfast, people seek forgiveness from one another with the
popular phrase, “Maaf Zahir Batin”. This phrase means “Forgive me for my obvious
shortcomings and ill feelings harboured in my heart against you if there were any”. This culture
of asking forgiveness is a unique characteristic of the Eid celebration in Malaysia. Asking for
forgiveness is not only confined to the members of a household but also extended to close
relatives, neighbours, friends and colleague at workplace. Children who sought the forgiveness
of elders are normally rewarded with ‘green packets’ which contain small amount of money as
a reward for their month long fast in Ramadhan.
Unlike other Muslim countries in the world, the celebration and asking for forgiveness go on all
throughout the month of Syawwal. The spirit of Eid that goes with the culture of seeking
forgiveness provides a wonderful opportunity to mend broken ties among family members,
distant relatives and friends. The underlying philosophy of this culture of seeking forgiveness
from one another is to forgive and forget shortcomings of the past and start afresh renewed
family ties and friendship without any ill feeling in the heart towards one another.
Similar to all other communities in the country, Muslims too will open their doors to Muslims as
well as to people of other faith to join in the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration by organizing ‘Open-House”.
The ‘Open-House’ held by Muslims during Eid celebration will enable people to congregate
regardless of their race, religion and status quo. During the ‘Open-House” Muslims will share
their food and delicacies with others in the true spirit of the Eid, which is loving, caring and
sharing.
‘Open-House’ is not only observed by individuals, but also by the government, dignitaries, etc.
in the hope of strengthening ethnic ties among the diverse population who live in this country.
The ‘Open-House’ concept held during festive seasons in Malaysia can be of great value to be
shared with people living in other parts of the world.