Eid al-Fitr
First of Islam's two main festivals, ending Ramadan fasting.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Eid al-Fitr is the first of the two main festivals in Islam, marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting (sawm) during Ramadan. Celebrated by Muslims worldwide, it falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, and is known under various other names in different languages and countries.
- Type
- Islamic religious festival
- Observed by
- Muslims worldwide
- Date
- First day of Shawwal (10th month of Islamic calendar)
- Established by
- Muhammad (according to Muslim tradition)
- Also known as
- Sweet Eid, Sugar Feast, Ramazan Bayramı, Şeker Bayramı
- Duration
- One to three days, depending on country
Lore & Background
According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad instituted the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. A hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik states that when Muhammad arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days with recreation, and he remarked that God had fixed two mandatory days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The holiday begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon; if the moon is not observed after the 29th day of the previous lunar month, the holiday is celebrated the following day.
Reader's Guide
Eid al-Fitr begins with a communal prayer (salah) consisting of two rakats, generally performed in an open field or large hall. The prayer features additional Takbirs (saying 'Allāhu ʾAkbar'), with the number varying by branch: in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, there are three Takbirs at the start of the first rakat and three just before rukūʿ in the second; other Sunni schools usually have 12 Takbirs; in Shia Islam, six Takbirs in the first rakat and five in the second. Depending on juristic opinion, this salat is either farḍ (obligatory) or mustaḥabb (strongly recommended). After the prayer, Muslims celebrate with visits to relatives, giving gifts, sharing meals, and charitable giving (zakat al-Fitr). The holiday is characterized by distinctive local customs worldwide, with food as a central theme, giving it the nickname 'Sweet Eid' or 'Sugar Feast'. It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid.
Did You Know?
- Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country.
- The night the crescent moon is sighted is celebrated as Chand Raat in countries like Bangladesh.
- In Turkey, Eid al-Fitr is called both Ramazan Bayramı and Şeker Bayramı ('Bayram of Sweets/Sugar').
- It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is an Islamic religious festival that marks the conclusion of the month-long Ramadan fasting period. It is the first of Islam's two principal celebrations and is observed by Muslims around the world.
When is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
The festival falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar-based, the exact Gregorian date shifts from year to year.
How long does Eid al-Fitr last?
The celebration typically spans one to three days, though the specific duration varies from country to country. The core observance centers on the first day of Shawwal.
What are other names for Eid al-Fitr?
It is commonly called "Sweet Eid" or "Sugar Feast" in English-speaking contexts, while Turkish speakers refer to it as Ramazan Bayramı or Şeker Bayramı. These alternate names reflect the tradition of sharing sweets to mark the end of fasting.
Who established Eid al-Fitr?
According to Muslim tradition, the Prophet Muhammad established this festival. It has been observed by the global Muslim community ever since as a joyful conclusion to Ramadan.
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