About Eid Al-Fitr
What is Eid Al-Fitr
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When the month of Ramdhan, and therefore fasting for Ramdhan, ends, the month Shawwal and the three-day period referred to as “Eid Al-Fitr” (عيد الفطر; sometimes referred to simply as'Eid' or 'The Eid') begins. Eid Al-Fitr translates to the festival of breaking/ending the fast. Eid is an occasion of showing gratitude to God (SWT, سبحانه وتعالى) and remembering Him, and an occasion of celebration. Eid Al-Fitr is (the smaller) one of the two official Muslim holidays (the other is “Eid Al-Adha” عيد الاضحى which is four days long and which overlaps with the annual time of pilgrimage).
For more information about Islamic Dates and Holidays, please visit our page here. |
Greetings on Eid: |
The night before Eid
The last night of the month of Ramdhan (and therefore the night before 'Eid') is called Chaand Raat, which means, "Night of the Moon." On this night, Muslims in some countries will often shop at bazaars and women, especially younger girls, will often apply the traditional Mehndi, or henna, on their hands and feet and wear colourful bangles. This is a traditional activity that is not mandatory but is a fun way to begin Eid celebrations. In Chicago, many people visit Devon Avenue to shop and have henna applied.
About the Eid prayer
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A congregational “Eid prayer” (صلاة العيد) is conducted on the morning of the first day of Eid Al-Fitr (the day after fasting ends). This prayer (salat) will take place after the fajr prayer ('prayer #1') but before the duhr prayer ('prayer #2'). This Eid al-Fitr prayer is, depending on which juristic opinion is followed, Fard (obligatory), Mustahabb (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory) or mandoob (preferable).
Composition of the Prayer: The prayer is comprised of two raka'at (Reference: Hadith related by Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, #81), and performed with an additional six takbeerat in the first raka’a, and five additional takbeerat in the second raka’a (after one rises from the sitting position to stand for the second raka’a), and there is no special athan or iqama (إقامة) for this prayer. The Eid prayer is followed by a short khutba (Reference: Hadith related by Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, #77). Recitation before the Eid Prayer: Prior to the start of the Eid prayer, the congregation collectively audibly recites the following glorification: "ALLAHU AKBAR; ALLAHU AKBAR; ALLAHU AKBAR. LA ILLAHA ILLA ALLAH. ALLAHU AKBAR; ALLAHU AKBAR. WA LILLAH HILHAMD." This means "Allâh (SWT, سبحانه وتعالى) is Greatest, Allâh is Greatest, Allâh is Greatest, there is no God but Allâh, Allâh is Greatest, Allâh is Greatest, and to Him goes all gratitude and thanks." One is encouraged to begin reciting this after the Fajr prayer and until the start of the Eid prayer. |
Terminology: |
About the requirement to give to charity / zakat
Before the Eid prayer, (non-poor) Muslims are required to pay a special zakat/charity, called Zakat il-Fitr (زكاة الفطر) or Sadawat il-Fitr (Reference: Hadith related by Muslim, Book 5, #2149). The specific amount is what would roughly support a poor person for one day. Check with your local community to get the proper amount estimate. Zakat il-Fitr is obligatory (wajib) on every (non-poor) Muslim, male or female (Reference: Hadith related by Muslim, Book 5, #2149). The Eid prayer marks the deadline to pay Zakat il-Fitr, so it will have to be done before the prayer. (Reference: Hadith related by Muslim, Book 005, #2159 & #2160).
About other Eid activities
Following the Eid prayer, Muslims typically exchange visits, and give gifts to their children, spouses, and/or young siblings.
In the US, some mosques hold some feasts after the Eid prayer. Your community may have special celebration plans. For example, in Chicago, many people visit Devon avenue for shopping and feasts with family and friends. There will be Eid celebrations held at people’s homes, where people celebrate and eat.
In the US, some mosques hold some feasts after the Eid prayer. Your community may have special celebration plans. For example, in Chicago, many people visit Devon avenue for shopping and feasts with family and friends. There will be Eid celebrations held at people’s homes, where people celebrate and eat.
Fasting is prohibited on Eid Al-Fitr
Fasting on the first day of Eid is prohibited (haram حرام), so that all Muslims 'celebrate' the same day together. (Reference: Hadith related by Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, #211, #212, & #215; and Hadith related by Muslim, Book 6, #2533–2539)