Learn all about Eid ul-Fitr. Top 10 facts about the Islamic celebration of Eid ul-Fitr or “Festival of Breaking the Fast”. What is Eid ul-Fitr and most important information.
Eid ul-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
Eid ul-Fitr is typically celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which follows Ramadan. The exact date is determined by the sighting of the new moon, so it varies from year to year.
The celebration of Eid ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends to pray, exchange gifts, and enjoy feasts. It is also a time for acts of charity and generosity, as Muslims are encouraged to give to those in need.
Overall, Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion that marks the successful completion of the month-long fast and serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration.
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1. Eid is celebrated after a month of fasting called Ramadan
Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs throughout the day. The purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to develop self-discipline, gain a greater sense of empathy for those less fortunate, and draw closer to God through increased devotion and prayer.
The month of Ramadan is considered to be one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, and the fast is broken on the day of Eid ul-Fitr, which is a joyous and festive occasion for Muslims around the world.
2. The date Eid is celebrated is based on the Moon
The date of Eid ul-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which means that each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.
Traditionally, the sighting of the new moon is done by local religious authorities, who look for the crescent moon in the sky after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan. If the crescent moon is sighted, then Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated the next day. If it is not sighted, then Ramadan continues for one more day, and Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the day after that.
Because the sighting of the new moon can vary from place to place and depends on local weather conditions, the exact date of Eid ul-Fitr can vary from country to country and from year to year.
3. Eid ul-Fitr lasts 3 days
Eid ul-Fitr is a three-day festival that marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. The festival begins on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, and lasts for three days.
The first day of Eid ul-Fitr is the most significant and is known as “Eid day.” It begins with a special prayer called the Eid prayer, which is held in congregation in mosques or in open spaces like parks or community centers. Muslims dress up in new or their best clothes, exchange gifts with family and friends, and enjoy festive meals together.
The second and third days of Eid ul-Fitr are also celebrated with feasting, socializing, and acts of charity and kindness. Muslims may visit family and friends, continue to exchange gifts, and participate in community events and activities.
Overall, Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous and festive occasion that provides an opportunity for Muslims to celebrate the completion of the holy month of Ramadan, express gratitude, and strengthen social ties with loved ones and their community.
4. Eid means festival in Arabic
The word “Eid” is an Arabic word that means festival, celebration, or holiday. The word is commonly used to refer to the two major Islamic festivals, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, which are celebrated by Muslims around the world.
In Arabic-speaking countries, the word “Eid” is often used in greetings, such as “Eid Mubarak,” which means “Blessed Eid” or “Happy Eid.” During the Eid festivals, Muslims come together with family, friends, and members of their community to celebrate, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals.
Overall, the word “Eid” represents a time of joy, celebration, and unity, and is an important part of Islamic culture and tradition.
5. Eid traditions include eating dates
Eating dates is a common tradition during Eid ul-Fitr, which is the festival that marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. Dates have a special significance in Islamic culture and tradition, and they are mentioned in the Quran as a blessed fruit.
On the morning of Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims often begin their day by eating dates before heading out to perform the special Eid prayer. The dates are often accompanied by a glass of water or milk, and are eaten to break the fast after a month of abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours.
In addition to being a symbolic way to break the fast, eating dates during Eid ul-Fitr is also seen as a way to connect with Islamic tradition and history. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have frequently eaten dates, and they are mentioned as a recommended food in various Islamic texts.
Overall, eating dates is a cherished tradition during Eid ul-Fitr, and serves as a reminder of the blessings and abundance of Allah (God).
6. Eid is celebrated by 1.8 billion people
Eid is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by an estimated 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. Muslims from diverse cultural backgrounds and geographical locations come together to celebrate Eid, making it a truly global celebration.
While the exact number of people who celebrate Eid may vary, it is estimated that nearly a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim, and many of them celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, the two major Islamic festivals.
Eid celebrations may differ from country to country and from culture to culture, but the essence of the festival remains the same: to celebrate the completion of the holy month of Ramadan, to express gratitude to Allah (God) for His blessings, and to come together with family and community to share in the joy of the occasion.
7. Eid ul-Fitr is different to Eid ul-Adha
Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are the two major Islamic festivals, and they are celebrated for different reasons and in different ways.
Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan, and it is a time of joy and celebration. Muslims come together with family and friends to enjoy festive meals, exchange gifts, and share in the joy of completing the month of fasting. The day begins with a special prayer called the Eid prayer, which is held in congregation in mosques or in open spaces like parks or community centers.
On the other hand, Eid ul-Adha is celebrated to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a demonstration of his faith in Allah (God). It falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, and it is celebrated with prayer, feasting, and the sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, in commemoration of the story of Prophet Ibrahim.
Overall, while both Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are important Islamic festivals, they have different meanings and traditions associated with them.
8. The history of Eid goes back to the prophet Muhammad
The history of Eid goes back to the Prophet Muhammad, who established the festival of Eid ul-Fitr as a way to celebrate the completion of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan.
According to Islamic tradition, the first Eid ul-Fitr was celebrated in the year 624 CE, after the Prophet Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina. The Prophet Muhammad fasted during the month of Ramadan, and he encouraged his followers to do the same as a way to draw closer to Allah (God) and to show their commitment to their faith.
At the end of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad declared a special day of celebration called Eid ul-Fitr, which was to be marked by prayer, feasting, and acts of charity and kindness. The day was meant to be a time of joy and celebration, and it has been celebrated by Muslims ever since.
Overall, the history of Eid is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and it continues to be an important festival for Muslims around the world.
9. People greet each other during Eid by saying Eid Mubarak
During Eid, it is common for people to exchange greetings with each other, and one of the most popular greetings is “Eid Mubarak.”
“Eid Mubarak” is an Arabic phrase that means “Blessed Eid” or “Happy Eid,” and it is used as a way to convey good wishes and blessings to friends, family, and members of the community. The phrase is often accompanied by a warm embrace, a handshake, or a gesture of goodwill.
In addition to “Eid Mubarak,” there are other greetings that may be used during Eid, depending on the culture and traditions of the region. For example, in Turkey, people may say “Bayraminiz Kutlu Olsun” which means “May your Bayram (Eid) be blessed,” while in Malaysia, people may say “Selamat Hari Raya” which means “Happy Eid.”
Overall, exchanging greetings during Eid is an important part of the festival, and it serves as a way to strengthen bonds of friendship, love, and community.
10. Eid ul-Fitr is known by different names all over the world
Eid ul-Fitr is known by different names all over the world, and the specific name for the festival may vary depending on the culture and language of the region.
For example, in Indonesia and Malaysia, Eid ul-Fitr is known as “Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” while in Turkey, it is called “Ramazan Bayramı.” In Bangladesh, the festival is called “Shawwal Eid,” and in India and Pakistan, it is known as “Chand Raat Eid” or simply “Eid.”
Regardless of the specific name used, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated in similar ways across cultures, with prayer, feasting, and acts of charity and kindness being common themes.
Overall, the different names for Eid ul-Fitr reflect the rich diversity of Islamic culture and the many ways in which the festival is celebrated around the world.
