Eid al-Fitr

**Eid al-Fitr** (/ˌiːd əl ˈfɪtər, -trə/; Arabic: عيد الفطر, romanized: *ʿĪd al-Fiṭr*, lit. 'Holiday of Breaking the Fast', IPA: [ʕiːd æl ˈfɪtˤr]) is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other being Eid al-Adha). While the Qur'an does not mention the celebration of Eid, the religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Some Muslims, however, do not view it as a sacred holiday. Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar; this does not always fall on the same Gregorian day, as the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. The day is also called Lesser Eid, or simply Eid.

Eid al-Fitr has a particular *salat* (Islamic prayer) that consists of two *rakats* (units) generally performed in an open field or large hall. It may only be performed in congregation (*jamāʿat*) and features seven additional *Takbirs* (raising of the hands to the ears while saying "Allāhu ʾAkbar", meaning "God is the greatest") in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam: three at the start of the first *rakat* and three just before *rukūʿ* in the second *rakat*. Other Sunni schools usually have 12 *Takbirs*, similarly split in groups of seven and five. In Shia Islam, the *salat* has six *Takbirs* in the first *rakat* at the end of *qira'a*, before *rukūʿ*, and five in the second. Depending on the juristic opinion of the locality, this *salat* is either *farḍ* (فرض, obligatory), *mustaḥabb* (strongly recommended) or *mandūb* (مندوب, preferable). After the *salat*, Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Fitr in various ways with food ("Eid cuisine") being a central theme, which also gives the holiday the nickname "Sweet Eid" or "Sugar Feast".

## History

According to Muslim tradition Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to certain traditions, these festivals were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from Mecca. Anas, a well-known companion of the Islamic prophet, narrated that, when Muhammad arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation and merriment. At this, Muhammad remarked that God had fixed two days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

## Date

 2022 date
 2023 date
 2024 date
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* March 31 (Eastern)

## General rituals

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then the holiday is celebrated the following day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country. 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 (*Zakat-ul-fitr*) before performing the 'Eid prayer.

### Eid prayer and *eidgah*

The Eid prayer is performed by the congregation in an open area such as a field, community center, or mosque. No call to prayer is given for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two units of prayer, with a variable amount of *Takbirs* and other prayer elements depending on the branch of Islam observed. The Eid prayer is followed by the sermon and then a supplication asking for God's forgiveness, mercy, peace and blessings for all living beings across the world. The sermon also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the *zakat*. The sermon of Eid takes place after the Eid prayer, unlike Friday prayer which comes first before prayer. Some imams believe that listening to the sermon at Eid is optional. After the prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends, and acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes, community centers, or rented halls.

#### Western Islam procedure

As ritual dictates, Sunnis and Ibadis praise God in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer:

> *Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar. Lā ilāha illà l-Lāh wa-l-Lāhu akbar, Allahu akbar wa-li-l-Lāhi l-ḥamd*
>
>

Recitation ceases when they get to the place of Eid or once the Imam commences activities.

The prayer starts by doing *"Niyyah"* for the prayer, before the *Takbir* is said by the Imam and his followers. Next, the *Takbirat al-Ihram* is performed, by saying *Allahu Akbar* three times, raising hands to the ears and dropping them each time, except for the last when the hands are folded. The Imam then reads the *Al-Fatihah*, followed by another *Surah*. The congregation performs *ruku* and *sujud* as in other prayers. This completes the first *rak'ah*.[*citation needed*]

The congregation rises up and folds their hands for the second *rak'ah*, after which the Imam recites *Surah Fatiha* followed by another *Surah*. After this, three *Takbirs* are called out just before the *ruku*, each time raising hands to the ears and dropping them. For the fourth time, the congregation says Allahu Akbar and subsequently goes into the *ruku*. The rest of the prayer is completed in the regular manner. This completes the Eid prayer. After the prayer, there is a *khutbah*.

#### Eastern Islam procedure

The Shia and Sufi prayer starts with the *Niyyat* followed by five *Takbirs*. During every *Takbir* of the first *rakat*, a special *Dua* is recited. Then, the Imam recites *Sūrat al-Fātiḥah* and *Surat Al-'A`lá* and the congregation performs *Ruku* and *Sujud* as in other prayers. In the second *Rakat*, the same above steps (five *Takbeers, Sūrat al-Fātiḥah* and *Surat Al-'A`lá, Ruku* and *Sujud*) are repeated. After the prayer, *Khutbah* starts.