Eid ul-Fitr, or Eid al-Fitr, or just Eid as it is often called, marks the end of the 30 days of fasting observed by Muslims during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic year.. The name of Eid ul-Fitr is derived from 2 Arabic words, Eid which means festivity and Fitr which means breaking (the fast).
Eid-ul-Fitr is a 3 day joyous festival. Muslims celebrate their attainment of enhanced piety, achieved by fasting during Ramadan. During Eid-ul-Fitr Muslims give charity to those in need, and celebrate the completion of Ramadan with their family and friends.
Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for Muslims, it is a true Thanksgiving Day. On Eid Muslims show their real joy for their health, their strength, and for the opportunities of life given to them by Allah.
Traditionally, Eid ul-Fitr begins when the new moon is first observed in the sky, either locally, or more commonly these days, when there is an official sighting.
History of Eid ul-Fitr
According to the BBC, Eid ul-Fitr was first celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar. Other sources indicate that the Prophet Muhammad instigated Eid ul-Fitr and Ed al-Adha to replace pre-Islamic festivals that celebrated significant historical dates, when he migrated from Makkah to Madinah.
Customs of Eid ul-Fitr
On Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims rise before dawn, offer the Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), take a bath or shower and brush their teeth, and dress in new or freshly prepared clothes.
After a small meal, often of dates, sweets, or other fruit, they attend the Sallat (the Eid prayer), either outdoors or in a Mosque. The Eid prayer consists of a sermon followed by a congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims either visit their family and friends, giving gifts, especially to children, or take part in larger community celebrations. Such visits and celebrations include lavish spread of food, like sivai which is the special sweet for Eid (vermicelli cooked in milk and sugar), dry fruits, sweetmeats, biryani which is meat cooked in spicy rice.
People clean and decorate their homes in preparation for the celebrations, which traditionally take place for 3 days, with some countries recognizing all 3 as national holidays, and others only recognizing the first day as a national holiday.
Dates of Eid ul-Fitr
- August 30, 2011
- August 19, 2012
- August 8, 2013
Islamic Calendar and Islamic Holidays
To learn more about the Islamic Calendar and other Islamic Holidays, see The Islamic Calendar, and Islamic Holidays.
Sources:
Eid ul-Fitr Traditions, Eid Mubarak web site, accessed on August 29, 2011.
Eid ul-Fitr, BBC web site, accessed on August 29, 2011.
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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