In Arabic, the word "Eid" literally means "festival" or "feast". The Islamic calendar has two significant eids each year: Eid al-Fitr early in the year and Eid al-Adha later.
Eid al-Fitr, which lasts for three days, is referred to as the "Lesser" or "Smaller Eid" in contrast to Eid al-Adha, which lasts for four days and is referred to as the "Greater Eid.
The two Eids honor, commemorate, and remember two separate occasions that are important to the history of Islam. The name Eid al-Fitr translates as "the feast of breaking the fast.
In this case, the fast is Ramadan, which commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad and calls on Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk for one month.
Eid al-Fitr includes morning prayers for two to three days. "Eid Mubarak"—"Blessed Eid"—is the greeting. Homemade sweets are provided to youngsters and the needy. Muslims should also ask for forgiveness. Country practices vary.
3. How Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Adha—the "feast of sacrifice"—is the other festival. It concludes the Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime trip by millions of Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
4. How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha?
On the first day of the Islamic calendar's tenth month, Eid al-Fitr is observed. On the tenth day of the last month in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha is observed.
5. On what days are they observed?
After Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates Allah's strength and perseverance. Zakat al-Fitr—charity—occurs on Eid al-Fitr. Eid is a time for sharing wealth and benefiting the Muslim community.
6. What is Eid al-Fitr spiritually?