e may
give orders with regard to the purchase and sale of merchandize, but on no
account must any goods be brought to him. It is highly meritorious for him
to read the Quran in an audible voice. By such an act he becomes {250} a
man of penetration, whose words are as powerful as a sharp sword.[257]

When the thirty days have passed the fast is broken. This act is called
Iftar, and the first day on which food is taken is called the
'Id-ul-Fitr--the 'Feast of the breaking of the fast.' On that day the
Sadqa, or alms are given before the Namaz is said in the Mosque. The Sadqa
of the 'Id-ul-Fitr is confined to Muslims: no other persons receive it. If
any one neglects to give these alms before the Namaz is said, he will not
merit so great a reward as he otherwise would. The reason assigned for this
is that, unless they are given early in the day, the poor cannot refresh
themselves before coming to the Mosque for the Namaz. The Sadqa are given
for the good of one's own soul, for that of young children, slaves male and
female--Muslim or Infidel; but not for the spiritual benefit of one's wife
or elder children.

In South India, the Sadqa consists of a gift of sufficient rice to feed one
person. When this has been done the people go to the Mosque saying, 'God is
great! God is great!' The Namaz is like that of a Friday, except that only
two rak'ats are said, and the Khutba which is said after the Namaz is
sunnat; whereas the Friday Khutba is said before the farz rak'ats, and is
itself of farz obligation. After hearing the sermon, the people disperse,
visit each other and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

A very usual form of the Khutba of the 'Id-ul-Fitr which is preached in
Arabic is as follows:--

SERMON ON THE 'ID-UL-FITR.

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

"Holy is God who has opened the door of mercy for those who fast, and
in mercy and kindness has granted them the right of entrance into
heaven. God is greater than all. There is no God save Him. God is
great! God is great! and worthy of praise. It {251} is of His grace and
favour that He rewards those who keep the fast. He has said: 'I will
give in the future world houses and palaces, and many excellent
blessings to those who fast. God is great! God is great! Holy is He who
certainly sent the Quran to our Prophet in the month of Ramazan, and
who sends angels to grant peace to all true believers. God is great!