Eid Al Fitr 2023 starts on 21 April 2023 on Saturday but it depends on your region and country. In the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr is the first Islamic feast Muslims celebrate annually on the 1st day of Shawwal 1444 After Hijrah, Shawal is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. It’s known for its joyful vibes that spread in the streets and inside homes. Everyone participates in feats celebrations, whether they are adults or kids.
In Dhu al-Hijjah last month of the Islamic calendar, and after two months of Eid Al Fitr, Muslims celebrate the second Islamic feast, which is called “Eid Al Adha”, through slaughtering sacrificial animals. Check out the meaning of Eid Al Fitr and how Muslims celebrate it.
Table of Contents
What is the meaning of Eid al-Fitr?
Eid AL Fitr’s meaning is literally “The feast of breaking fast”. Muslim celebrate it after sighting the Shawwal crescent at the end of Ramadan. It’s not obligated to fast on the first day of Eid.
Eid al-Fitr celebration around the world lasts for three days. Muslims celebrate this festival as they completed successfully all the fasting days of Ramadan.
Eid Al Fitr is a major Islamic feast, that Muslims celebrate after observing the Eid crescent. Eid comes on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Hijri calendar.
Eid Al Fitr means “breaking fast feast”. Muslims all over the world welcome and celebrate it through common rituals and traditions such as performing the Eid prayer, wearing new clothes, giving kids presents, and visiting relatives.
Showing gratefulness and thanksgiving for Allah’s blessings and happiness are the other purposes for legislation of Eid in Islam.
All the Eid days are off in schools, colleges, shops, and companies. So Muslims get a break to celebrate Eid with their families, relatives, and friends.
What is the History of Eid Al-Fitr?
The history of Eid al Fitr goes back to the second Hijri year when prophet Muhammed (PBUH) prayed the first Eid prayer after his prophetic mission.
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his companions celebrated Eid for the first time after the Badr battle in 624 CE.
According to Ana’s (RA) narration, prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said to the people of Medina: “I came to you, and you have two days you celebrated during (Jahiliyya) and Allah has substituted for you better days: the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of breaking Fast”.
He said this prophetic narration when he came to Medina for the first time after his immigration. He found the people celebrated two days of the Jahilya period.
How to pray Eid Al Fitr Prayer?
Muslims pray the Eid al fitr prayer by beginning with Eid takbeers as they say “Allah Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) seven times in the first rak’at before reciting the Quran.
In the second rak’at, they repeat Eid takbeers five times. Eid prayer is only two rak’ats according to the Sunnah.
Note: If you are looking for Islamic studies Courses, check these native Arab courses:
- Islamic Studies Crash Course
- Islamic Aqeedah Course
- Learn Tafseer Quran
- Comparative Religions Course
- Purify Your Soul – Tazkiyah Course
- Hadith Courses
How do Muslims Celebrate Eid Al Fitr?
Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr through these rituals and traditions:
1. Performing Eid prayer
Muslims begin celebrating Eid Al Fitr by performing the Eid prayer after sunrise as a voluntary prayer to follow prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) Sunnah.
2. Giving presents to Kids
To share happiness, Muslims used to give presents to kids in different forms. They present gifts of sweets, money, toys, games storybooks, colorful pens, etc.
3. Visiting relatives
Muslims perform ties of kinship by visiting relatives on Eid Al Fitr days to celebrate the vibes of Eid and spend quality time with them.
4. Eating Eid sweets
Muslims used to eat traditional Eid sweets and share them with their next-door neighbors. Some of these traditional desserts they eat for breakfast like Eid cookies.
The other Eid traditions and rituals are:
- Performing cleansing.
- Wearing new clothes.
- Visiting graves of loved ones.
- Exchanging Eid greetings.
- Paying Zakat al Fitr.
Eid Celebrations Around the World
Every country has its traditions and customs that people used to do on different occasions to express their cultures. So here are examples of some countries that show you how Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr:
Eid Celebrations in Indonesia
Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world as the Muslim population exceeds 200 million. Indonesians used to greet each other by saying “Selamat Idul Fitri”, which stands for blessed or happy Eid.
They also used to present money gifts to the children, which are wrapped in colorful envelopes.
When Indonesians celebrate Eid, they love to show their culture. Men and men wear cultural clothes and eat traditional food such as Bamboo-cooked rice and Opor Ayam.
Besides praying the Eid prayer, Muslims in Indonesia visit their loved ones’ graves and make duas for them. They celebrate Eid in the streets by carrying light torches and making firecrackers.
Eid Celebrations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is known for the Muslims’ Qibla, where Kaa’ba is located in Makkah. When Eid Al Fitr comes, Saudis give sadaqah by donating to charities.
They love to be gathered with their families in the home to celebrate with them and cheer the kids up as they gift them money, sweets, or toys.
Traditional Saudi food fills tables on Eid days such as Harris meat porridge, Mugalgal, and Majboos.
Eid Celebrations in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the most prominent Muslim-majority countries in the world. The mosques on the first day of Eid are crowded for praying Eid.
Pakistani people get ready for Eid Al Fitr by wearing new cultural clothes, cleaning homes, and decorating them. Women used to place Henna on their hands.
Furthermore, visiting relatives and gathering families at home for the celebration are the major traditions among Pakistani people during Eid.
Eid Celebrations in Turkey
Arabic traditions are spreading in Turkey throughout Eid Al Fitr. It’s one of the biggest Muslim countries in the world, with up to 97% of the Muslim population. Here are the most popular Eid traditions in Turkey:
- Giving kids gifts like sweets and money.
- Exchange gifts between family members.
- Wearing new clothes.
- Eating traditional Eid desserts such as Baklava.
- Visiting relatives and friends and sharing their desserts with them.
Eid celebrations are not different in Muslim-minority countries such as the USA and Europe countries, where Muslims stick to praying Eid prayer in mosques, wearing new clothes, eating special treats, gathering with family at home, etc.
What are the Virtues of Eid Al Fitr?
Here are the virtues of Eid Al Fitr for Muslims:
- Eid Al Fire achieves brotherhood among Muslims as families and friends exchange Eid greetings, forgive each other, gather in Eid prayer, and end their disputes.
- This Islamic festival is an opportunity for Muslims to thank Allah for completing fasting during Ramadan and doing other good deeds.
- Eid Al Fitr comes to spread happiness among Muslims after the 30-day Ramadan fast.
- Muslims pay Zakat Al Fitr to help the poor and needy and be closer to Allah.
If you desire to broaden your Islamic knowledge and deepen it, check out the Islamic studies online course you can learn with the best-certified tutors.
Ramadan-related articles:
