How strange our life is! Success, failure, happiness, sorrow, smiles and tears are all parts of the continuous scenario we lead that is called life. But there are many breaks. Some of them we intentionally make to rest the body from the daily stress. These are simply when we leave all behind and take a vacation or travel to refresh the tired body and exhausted mind.
Or there are unintentional breaks when we escape from our worries and sorrows through dreams, hopes, and imaginings. This is the state we all share.

But when Ramadan visits us, everything changes completely.
Ramadan is like the guest who comes every year knocking at our doors, bringing unaccountable blessings and mercies from Allah. It is the real break where the soul finds rest from what burdens it throughout eleven months.

These messages show the different sides of Ramadan. All have their own Ramadan, as each one seized a special blessing. They are all stopping and thinking on what they were and what they became in Ramadan.

All in all, they give the same message that a moment of change has come to our life. It is also a promise that we will assess ourselves next year and see how much of Ramadan's steadfastness and discipline we were able to maintain throughout the year, and how we can improve once again.

Islam teaches Muslims how to celebrate the `eids. On these days, the Muslims take a bath and wear their best clothes. Even though fasting is not permitted on the `eid days, yet, the major part of the celebration is not eating or drinking; rather, it is a prayer that brings Muslims together to remember Allah's bounties and celebrate His glory and greatness.

The `eids and their celebration in Islam carry a distinctive meaning and spirit. They are totally different from the celebrations in other nations and cultures. For other nations, a holiday is a chance to immerse in worldly pleasures, or to involve oneself in prohibited acts to the utmost. Not so for Muslims! For Muslims, the `eid is an occasion to increase in good deeds. Each `eid marks the conclusion of an important worship, and the determination to continue in obedience and submission to Allah (Glorified be He).
In moments of extreme pleasure or sadness, a Muslim never forgets his Lord's greatness, might, glory, and watchfulness (Glorified be He). A Muslim's actions are always controlled by this continued remembrance and awareness.
Thus the `eid is not an occasion to take a vacation from Islamic responsibilities and commitments, nor to waste time and money in extravagance. It is not "fun for the sake of fun". Rather, it is controlled and directed rejoicing that is of ultimate and definite benefit for the Muslim.
The `eid is a chance to multiply good deeds by bringing happiness and pleasure to the hearts of other Muslims, by helping and supporting the poor and needy, and by getting involved in pastimes that emphasize the strong and serious Islamic character.

[Praise be to Allah Who guided us to this (way). Never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah.] (Al-A`raf 7:43)

[If you give thanks I shall give you more, and if you are ungrateful then My punishment is severe indeed.] (Ibrahim 14:7)

[Remember Me and I shall remember you, and give thanks to Me and be not ungrateful.] (Al-Baqarah 2:152)

O Allah, We thank You for all Your gifts and favors to us. You sent to us the best Book, chose for us the best human being as a Prophet, and gave us the best guidance that You chose for us.

O Allah, we thank You, You deserve all thanks. We thank You in private and in public.

O Allah, We thank You with love and with our free choice.

O Allah, we thank You that You blessed us with faith in You. You made it easy for us to fast in the month of Ramadan, to pray in its nights, and to recite Your Glorious Book.

Today is the day of `Eid, and `Eid is the day of thanks. It marks the end of the month of fasting. We feel happy and we give thanks to Allah that we obeyed His commands; we fasted during the month of Ramadan. Allah’s commands are good for us. They are for our benefit. Allah does not want to put any burden on anyone, but He gave us the rules of fasting for our own benefit. Fasting has many benefits for individuals and for communities. It has spiritual, moral, and physical benefits. It has benefits for the individuals and for the society. Fasting—

1. Teaches self-discipline

2. Raises the level of God-consciousness

3. Helps human beings to rise above materialism and selfishness

4. Makes people more humble, kind, charitable, and righteous

5. Brings people closer to each other as a community

6. Teaches patience and steadfastness

7. Gives more energy and courage to do good deeds

8. Makes people healthy and strong

9. Makes people mentally alert and psychologically stable

10. Purifies bodies and souls

“`Eid” is an Arabic word referring to something habitual, that returns and is repeated. `Eids or festivals are symbols to be found in every nation, including those that are based on revealed scriptures and those that are idolatrous, as well as others, because celebrating festivals is something that is an instinctive part of human nature. All people like to have special occasions to celebrate, where they can come together and express their joy and happiness.

The festivals of the disbelieving nations may be connected to worldly matters, such as the beginning of the year, the start of an agricultural season, the changing of the weather, the establishment of a state, the accession of a ruler, and so on. They may also be connected to religious occasions, like many of the festivals belonging exclusively to the Jews and Christians, such as the Thursday on which they claim the table was sent down to Jesus, Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and holidays on which gifts are exchanged. These are celebrated in all European and North American countries nowadays, and in other countries where Christian influence is prevalent, even if the country is not originally Christian. Some so-called Muslims may also join in these holidays, out of ignorance or hypocrisy.