Eid al-Fitr is the public holiday that signals the end of a month of fasting for Ramadan. It is celebrated in the majority of countries worldwide.
Family members and relatives feast and give thanks for good food. It is a day of charity and congregation as a community.
Where does the day begin and why are we celebrating in the first place? In this article, we explain to you why we are celebrating Eid, how it is celebrated, and its social significance.
What is Eid Al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr or the “festival of breaking the fast.” It is a Muslim religious holiday. It is one of the biggest Muslim celebrations after the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast, pray, and seek forgiveness.
It is a time of celebration when people enjoy together. Individuals also express gratitude to God for being able to fast.
All individuals participate in the religious celebration after Ramadan. The celebration begins with prayer, on Eid, followed by delicious food, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and fun times with family and friends.
Eid al-Fitr is a joyous holiday whereby the celebration is included in other countries’ cultures.
How is Eid Al-Fitr Celebrated?
Eid al-Fitr is the joyous celebration of the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast. Eid al-Fitr is a festival that is thanking Allah for the completion of a month of fasting.
Muslims celebrate and provide for Eid al-Fitr celebration through Zakat al-Fitr, which is a present for the poor fellow. Eid al-Fitr is practiced in a congregation because Eid al-Fitr is a festival.
Family members and friends celebrate Eid al-Fitr and exchange gifts and good wishes. Eid is done by humans to attempt and recall their creator, strengthen faith, and remind themselves of the brotherhood of the believers.
How Do We Prepare for Eid Al-Fitr?
Spiritual and Eid al-Fitr preparation will allow you to reap maximum benefits from this festive season. The following is the way you can prepare for Eid.
1. Complete Spiritual Obligations
To conclude Ramadan, pray more, read more Quran, and perform tawbah in the second half of the last few days of Ramadan.
Pay Zakat al-Fitr: A mandatory charity given before the Eid prayer for the welfare of the poor.
2. Prepare for Eid Prayer
Ghusl (Purification Bath): Bathing is better before leaving for Eid prayer as a symbol of purification and rebirth.
Dress in new clothing: Newly purchased or freshly washed but simple clothing is worn traditionally.
Muslims say, “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah…” from Eid night until Eid prayer in gratitude to Allah.
3. Prepare Celebration Parties & Foods
Traditional dishes are prepared. Sweets and dishes greatly differ based on culture but generally, dates, sweet pastries, and fatty food are consumed.
Decorate Your Home: Party lights, banners, and decorations are usually put up by most families to give the house a party look.
Plan Gatherings & Gift Distribution: Spread joy among relatives and friends by inviting family members and exchanging gifts.
4. Share Happiness & Compassion
Distribution of Eidi (Money) & Gifts: The distribution of gifts or money among children and relatives is a very common tradition on Eid. Some individuals also visit the graveyard to pray for their deceased relatives. Visit Cemeteries and Pray for the Deceased.
It is preferred by the Muslims to visit their graveyard and pray for their deceased ones from their earthly lives.
Greet Each Other ‘Eid Mubarak’: Wishing each other Eid and doing so generates happiness and fraternity.
With the Islamic, social, and physical preparations of the Muslims, they gain happiness, gratitude, and fraternity during Eid al-Fitr.
What is the Difference Between Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan?
Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan are like two peas in a pod and yet not so substantially similar.
It is a month of festivity in the cycle of change of living in terms of fasting, prayer, and attitude reflection by Muslims all over the world.
The Muslims refrain from food, water, and other physical needs from the moment they observe the break of day till sunset during this month.
More days are spent achieving more self-control, more gratitude, and spiritual enhancement on those days.
The Muslims fulfill the reading, praying, and charity over the extra months of Ramadan. Eid is a celebratory affair following the culmination of Ramadan.
It is followed by people partying and thanking almighty Allah. It is their charity to poor people, where they just provide them with money or food, nothing else.
All this in the name of doing Zakat al-Fitr. People begin the day with a special kind of prayer called Eid, then party and socialize with their family members and even friends.
That is, the time for fasting and prayer is Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration and thankfulness in addition to that.
Is Fasting on Eid al-Fitr Haram?
Fasting on Eid al-Fitr is forbidden. Permissible or forbidden, according to the majority of Muslim scholars’ opinion.
It is a day that all Muslims everywhere around the globe, regardless of race and language, celebrate and rejoice in after fasting the entire year. And therefore, it would be contradictory to fast on this day.
Muslims are to end their fasting, eat, give alms, and get together with friends on this day. Nobody is to fast on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as ordered by the Prophet Muhammad; they are festive days and Allah’s favors are to be savored.
Eid al-Fitr Vs Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two most significant Muslim holidays, with religious significance and traditional practices of their own. Their comparison is as follows:
| Aspect | Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha |
| Meaning | “Festival of Breaking the Fast” | “Festival of Sacrifice” |
| Significance | Celebrates the end of Ramadan and gratitude to Allah | Celebrates Prophet Ibrahim’s compliance with Allah in sacrificing his son |
| When It Takes Place | 1st day of Shawwal (Islamic month following Ramadan) | 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah (Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, twelfth Islamic month) |
| Religious Practice | Celebrated with special Eid prayer and Zakat al-Fitr (charity to the needy) | Celebrated with Eid prayer and Qurbani (slaughter of sacrificial animal) |
| Fasting | Not permitted to fast on this day | Permitted but not required to fast |
| Traditions | Prayers, charity, festive meal, and outing | Animal sacrifice, distribution of meat to needy people, and emphasis on pilgrimage (Hajj) |
| Connection with Hajj | No direct relation with Hajj | Coincides with the last days of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca |
| Duration | 3 days | 4 days (10th to 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) |
Festival of Breaking Fast and Thanking God for Good Things.
Eid al-Adha solely commemorates the sacrifice and devotion of Allah by embracing the practice of Qurbani and helping those in need.
Both commemorate individuals uniting for a just cause, strengthening faith and belief in Allah.
Conclusion
Eid al-Fitr is a festive occasion of historical and religious significance. It unites Muslims worldwide in thankfulness and contemplation of Allah’s mercy on them, charity, and fraternal brotherly bonds.
By charity, fraternity, and religion, Eid al-Fitr has several associated festive meals, festive prayer, and acts of charity.
The holiday is associated with all that Ramadan all charity, all friends and family, but once again reminding everybody of Islam’s unities.
