Etiquettes and challenges of hosting guests during Eid Al-Fitr

Eid Al-Fitr is one of the most important and joyous festivals celebrated among Muslims in which it also marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. This festival is made memorable by visiting friends and family and it is customary for Muslims especially in Malaysia to host guests during this celebration. However, there are some Islamic key etiquette rules to keep in mind, as well as challenges that may arise during Eid Al – Fitr and some suggested ways to overcome these challenges to ensure that both sides will experience harmony and leave the celebration with zero issue.

Etiquette plays a significant role in both Islamic and Malaysian culture during Eid Al –Fitr. To mention one, when it comes to visiting others, visitors should visit at an appointed and convenient time, or it is advisable to inform the host of the details of your visit beforehand such as the time and number of guests. This ensures that the host is available and has ample time to prepare and clean the house to welcome the guests. This is because, during the Eid festival, many families and friends are visiting which can lead to overcrowding. Thus, informing the hosts early can help them to manage time for their guests.

Other than that, in Islam, it is encouraged to avoid visiting during prayers time which we perform five times daily, Subuh (dawn), Zuhr (afternoon), ‘Asr (late afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset) and Isha (night). The time of the prayers varies by area and alter periodically. Muslims nowadays are using a variety of applications to keep the time updated. Therefore, it is best to respect and avoid visiting during those prayers time.

Moreover, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and living in the era of outbreak of many diseases has added an additional layer to the challenges for hosts during Eid Al-Fitr celebration. Hence, regarding health, it is advisable to avoid visiting others or being in a crowded place when you have been diagnosed with such contagious diseases. It is considered not only irresponsible, but you may also put others at risk of contracting the virus. People should be aware that the virus can have severe consequences, especially for susceptible individuals, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Therefore, one should isolate and avoid contact with others if you are infected with contagious viruses to minimise the risk of spreading. We have been exposed to various platforms that help us to stay connected within the COVID19 pandemic even if it is not physically. With that being said, we can still celebrate virtually with our friends and family other than keeping ourselves and communities safe.

To conclude, hosting guests during Eid Al-Fitr can be challenging, particularly when it comes to maintaining etiquette. Nonetheless, with proper planning and preparation, hosts can overcome these challenges while creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their guests. It is important for hosts to observe etiquette and prepare and uphold cleanliness and hygiene standards to create a pleasant environment for the visitors. Also, one should not be egocentric without regard to others’ health when you have an infectious virus such as COVID19 as this might expose others to the disease. By doing so, we can ensure a successful and enjoyable Eid Al – Fitr celebration for all.