Eid ul-Adha ('Festival of Sacrifice') is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to.
Eid literally means a “festival” or “feast” in Arabic. There are two major eids in the Islamic calendar per year – Eid al-Fitr earlier in the year and Eid al-Adha later.
Being based on the lunar calendar means the dates of both Eids change each year, but Eid al-Adha is always a little over two months after Eid al-Fitr. On both Eids, many Muslims will go to special prayers at their local mosque and have a day of celebrations with family and friends.
2. Why is it celebrated twice a year? The two Eids recognize, celebrate and recall two distinct events that are significant to the story of the Islamic faith. Eid al-Fitr means “the feast of breaking the fast.” The fast, in this instance, is that of Ramadan, which recalls the revealing of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
Eid al-Adha 2020: Why are there two Eids? Muslims across the UK will be celebrating Eid al-Adha as July comes to an end. The name is often shortened to 'Eid' and in 2020 it will be celebrated in the UK between 30 July and 3 August.
Due to this, the Islamic calendar year is shorter than the solar Gregorian calendar year by 10 to 12 days. Thus, Ramadan and Eid “rotate” through the Gregorian calendar and can be celebrated during different seasons in the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
Eid ul-Fitr is a very important festival in the Islamic calendar and was started by the Prophet Muhammad himself. It is also known as 'The Feast of Breaking the Fast' and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan .
Eid ul-Adha is another important festival in the Muslim calendar. Some Muslims may regard this as the most important festival as it remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when ordered to by Allah .
| Year | Eid-al-Fitr | Eid-al-Adha |
|---|
| 2016 | July 7 | September 10 |
| 2017 | June 25 | August 31 |
| 2018 | June 15 | August 22 |
| 2019 | June 5 | August 12 |
In chapter 2, verse 185, of the Holy Quran, the Almighty Lord states: Eid al Fitr literally means, "festival of breaking of the fast." This year, Muslims celebrate Eid either on Friday today,depending on the sighting of the new moon.
Unlike on Eid Al-Adha, you should eat before the Eid prayer on Eid Al-Fitr. The Prophet (SAW) didn't go out on the morning of Eid until he'd eaten an odd number of dates. Eid is a celebration, so it makes sense that you should dress up and wear your nicest clothes (in accordance with hijaab of course!).
Remember that food is going to be an important part of any
Eid celebration. So,
gift baskets are always a great idea—especially ones that include simple sweet treats or local delicacies.
Gift Baskets
- Dates.
- Almonds.
- Pistachios.
- Honey.
- Juices.
- Turkish halwa.
- Fruit cakes.
- Dates stuffed with almonds.
Eid 2019: Celebrations across the worldFor their first daylight meal following a month of fasting, Muslims traditionally sit down with family and friends for an expansive breakfast on Eid al-Fitr. Different sweet dishes are eaten by Muslims during the meal depending on where they are in the world.
It is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid, and a specific prayer is nominated for this day. As an obligatory act of charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy (Arabic: Zakat-ul-fitr) before performing the 'Eid prayer.
Eid marks the end of a month of fasting from dawn to sunset, as well as spiritual reflection and prayer. Under usual circumstances, the day starts with prayers and a big meal is usually the main event, but there's lots of other ways people celebrate too.
Give and wear new clothes.Wear the new clothes you get, if any (or the best clothes you have), to perform the Eid prayer. Along with dressing your best, you should also brush your teeth, bathe, and wear perfume.
How do we celebrate Eid?
Zakat al-Fitr charity, Eid prayers
