The festival of Eid is filled with happiness, merriment, recreation, prayers to the Almighty and enormous feastings. The festival is celebrated by Muslims all over.
Men and women visit the mosques to offer their Eid prayers to Allah. Eid al-Adha prayers are performed once the sun rises completely or on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Eid is the biggest festival of Muslims. It is celebrated with kindness and gratitude.
Charity and good deeds which have always been an important segment in Islamic teachings become more significant during the Eid festivities.
Muslims celebrate two types of Eids; both of which are a result of major acts of worship. While Eid ul-Fitr or Ramadan Eid falls after the fasting month of Ramadan, Eid ul-Adha is celebrated after the Hajj pilgrimage.
The month of Ramadan is known to be very auspicious and pious during which Muslims are obligated to feed the poor and contribute towards the mosques in lieu of relegious reasons.
Eid ul-Fitr was brought into existence by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated on the first of the month of Shawwal, and at the end of the month of Ramadan, which is the period of complete fasting for the Muslims.
According to some sources, Eid Ul Fitr was initiated in Medinah after Muhammad was migrated from Mecca. When the Prophet reached Madinah, he discovered that people celebrate two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreational and merriment activities.
On enquiring, he found out that these days were meant for fun and recreation to which Muhammad replied that these two days are fixed by Almighty and will be known as Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.
From then onwards, Muslims started celebrating both the festivals of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha for paying gratitude and remembering Allah, the Almighty by giving alms to the poor.
Eid ul-Fitr or Big Eid is celebrated after the end of Ramadan, which is the 9th month of Islamic calendar. It has either 29 or 30 days depending on the visibility of the new Moon.
The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting for the Muslims throughout the world. Muslims, mostly adults, fast from dawn-dusk. Eid ul-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of fasting. It’s said to be the first day of the 10th month of Islamic Calendar (Shawwal)
Eid-ul-Adha or Small Eid is the festival that symbolizes the Sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham of Bible).The celebrations go on for three days, i.e., the 10,11 &12th day of 12th Month of Islamic Calendar (Dhul-Hajj, the month of pilgrimage ). Out of all the three, the first day is the most important. The festival usually calls for the sacrifice of an animal (lamb) by the family, which is later, divided into three parts:
#. 1/3 for the family
#. 1/3 for relatives & neighbours
#. 1/3 for the poor & destitute
(Image Courtesy: Emirates)
Eid-ul-Adha Bakri Eid is also referred to as Bakri Eid by many communities.
The festivity of Bakri Eid includes paying zakat (charity) and sharing large meals with family and friends.
Islam uses a lunar calendar according to which Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Each month in the calendar begins with the visibility of the moon. The calendar changes every year because it is shorter than solar calendar by 11 days.
Eid ul-Adha known as the Festival of Sacrifice is celebrated in the remembrance of Abraham's compliance to sacrificing his son out of his faith in Allah and the Almighty’s mercy on us all. Lamb became the traditional animal sacrifice of Eid ul-Adha because Allah replaced Ismail with a sheep.
Eid ul-Fitr is also known as the festival of breaking the fast’ as it is followed by the Ramadan month of fasting. It is an important religious holiday for Muslims. Paying zakat, or giving to charity, is a major part of the holiday, but many celebrate it by eating a large meal with family and friends.
(Image Courtesy: Eid ul Fitr)
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(Featured Image Courtesy: The Independent)
25 Opinions
I believe in secularism, unlike many other people who believe in working or following practices which their religion accepts. It has never been my thing. What do you think? I would love to celebrate Eid rather than staying at home. It is a pure and pious festival for every Muslim and should also be celebrated by “their brothers and sisters” whole-heartedly. I really miss the days when Hindus shared a happy space with Muslims. There were no riots or terrorist attacks, only brotherhood prevailed. Hatred is the biggest reason for all the misleading activities happening around the country.