Hari Raya Puasa, also known as Aidilfitri, lesser Eid and the festival of forgiveness, has way too many names but one essence. While different parts of the world call it by different names, its customs and practices are still the same.
Let us take a look at some of the common practices of Hari Raya Puasa that hold great significance in the Muslim community. Following these Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations religiously leads to a harmonious, successful, and peaceful year.
Praying at the Mosque
The festival of forgiveness begins with a morning prayer to Allah. First, the Takbir is recited repeatedly to seek blessings from the almighty. Then, the imam leads the Aidilfitri prayers with the congregants facing the direction of Ka'abah in Mecca.
As the worshippers pray, they reflect on themselves during the past Holy month of Ramadan and seek to become better versions of their mental, physical and spiritual capacities.
Performing the Zakat
The Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations can not begin without the purest of the acts being performed first. Zakat, loosely translated 'to cleanse' is an act of giving the poor and underprivileged food, clothes, and shelter. It is an obligatory practice and one of the five pillars of Islam performed at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Visiting Family and Friends
How can you continue with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations without meeting your loved ones? The visitations begin with the eldest members of the family, the second eldest, and so on. The first three days are usually reserved for meeting and greeting family members and close friends. If you are a non-muslim friend, you must be patient for your friends will invite you over after they meet their relatives.
Gift Exchanging
During the meetings of friends and relatives, the act of gift-giving takes place. While it is not customary to bring gifts, it is considered sweet and respectful. However, you must wisely choose your gift for Hari Raya visiting. Anything alcoholic or non-halal should be avoided at all costs.
Asking for Forgiveness
It is called the festival of forgiveness for a reason! The reason is that the month-long fasting and praying help people see their good and bad traits. So, at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the younger generation seeks forgiveness from their elders for wronging them knowing and unknowingly.
Giving Green Packets
Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations would be incomplete without a green packet. This green packet with money is what every child secretly waits for during the holy month of Ramadan. The packets are gifted by the working adults and elders to the youngsters.
Grand Feasts
Last but not the least, one of the greatest things about the festival of forgiveness is indulging your taste buds as a reward for the arduous fast. With home-cooked traditional foods and desserts, people take rounds at their family and friends' houses and take part in their feasts and offer their own.
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
The festival of forgiveness begins with a morning prayer to Allah. First, the Takbir is recited repeatedly to seek blessings from the almighty. Then, the imam leads the Aidilfitri prayers with the congregants facing the direction of Ka'abah in Mecca.
As the worshippers pray, they reflect on themselves during the past Holy month of Ramadan and seek to become better versions of their mental, physical and spiritual capacities.
The Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations can not begin without the purest of the acts being performed first. Zakat, loosely translated 'to cleanse' is an act of giving the poor and underprivileged food, clothes, and shelter. It is an obligatory practice and one of the five pillars of Islam performed at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
How can you continue with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations without meeting your loved ones? The visitations begin with the eldest members of the family, the second eldest, and so on. The first three days are usually reserved for meeting and greeting family members and close friends. If you are a non-muslim friend, you must be patient for your friends will invite you over after they meet their relatives.
During the meetings of friends and relatives, the act of gift-giving takes place. While it is not customary to bring gifts, it is considered sweet and respectful. However, you must wisely choose your gift for Hari Raya visiting. Anything alcoholic or non-halal should be avoided at all costs.
It is called the festival of forgiveness for a reason! The reason is that the month-long fasting and praying help people see their good and bad traits. So, at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the younger generation seeks forgiveness from their elders for wronging them knowing and unknowingly.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations would be incomplete without a green packet. This green packet with money is what every child secretly waits for during the holy month of Ramadan. The packets are gifted by the working adults and elders to the youngsters.
Last but not the least, one of the greatest things about the festival of forgiveness is indulging your taste buds as a reward for the arduous fast. With home-cooked traditional foods and desserts, people take rounds at their family and friends' houses and take part in their feasts and offer their own. 
