Eid al-Fitr is the first of the two main festivals in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha. The holiday falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. One of the most important Islamic celebrations, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as it marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting (sawm) during Ramadan. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world.
Eid al-Fitr begins with a communal prayer and is followed by visits to relatives, giving gifts, and sharing meals. It has a particular that consists of two generally performed in an open field or large hall. It may only be performed in congregation () and features six additional (raising of the hands to the ears whilst reciting the Takbir, saying "Allāhu ʾAkbar", meaning "God is the greatest"). In the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, there are three at the start of the first and three just before in the second . Other Sunni schools usually have 12 , similarly split in groups of seven and five. In Shia Islam, the has six in the first at the end of , before , and five in the second. Depending on the juristic opinion of the locality, this is either (, obligatory) or (strongly recommended). After the , Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Fitr in various ways with food being a central theme, which also gives the holiday the nickname "Sweet Eid" or "Sugar Feast".
In many parts of the world, Eid al-Fitr is also characterized by distinctive local customs that reflect regional cultures. Communities often mark the occasion with large family visits, public celebrations, and the sharing of traditional foods and sweets prepared specifically for the holiday. Markets and neighborhoods in several countries become especially lively as people buy new clothing, gifts, and festive meals, while charitable giving and community gatherings remain central elements of the celebration. Despite cultural differences, the festival commonly emphasizes social connection, generosity, and the strengthening of family and community ties.
History According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad instituted the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. According to a certain hadith, these festivals were initiated in Medina after the migration of Muhammad from Mecca. Anas ibn Malik, a companion of Muhammad, narrated that when Muhammad arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation. Muhammad then remarked that God had fixed two mandatory days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 4, 141–142, (no. 13210).
General rituals
Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. The night on which the moon is sighted is celebrated as Chand Raat in countries like Bangladesh. 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 () before performing the 'Eid prayer.
Eid prayer
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 rakaʿāt, with a variable amount of and other prayer elements depending on the branch of Islam observed. The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah and then a dua 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 .Gaffney, Patrick D. "Khutba." Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World. p. 394. 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.
Sunni procedure As ritual dictates, Sunnis praise God in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer:
Recitation ceases when they get to the place of Eid or once the Imam commences activities.
The prayer starts by doing niyyah "intention" for the prayer before the takbir is said by the imam. Next, the takbir al-ihram is performed, by saying takbir 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 al-Fatihah, followed by another surah. The congregation performs ruku and sujud. This completes the first .
The congregation rises and folds their hands for the second rak'ah, after which the imam recites al-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 regularly. This completes the Eid prayer. After the prayer, there is a khutbah.
Shia procedure The prayer starts with the followed by five . During every of the first , a special is recited. Then, the Imam recites and and the congregation performs and as in other prayers. In the second , the same above steps (five and and ) are repeated. After the prayer, the khutbah starts.
Post-prayer celebration
During the Eid celebration, Muslims greet each other by saying , which is Arabic for "Blessed Eid". As it comes after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and consumed during the celebration. Muslims typically decorate their homes, and are also encouraged to forgive each other and seek forgiveness. In countries with large Muslim populations, it is normally a public holiday with most schools and businesses closed for the day. Practices differ by country and region.
Practices and culture by country and regions
West Asia Turkey
In Turkey, nationwide celebrated holidays are referred to as , and Eid al-Fitr is referred to as both ("Ramadan ") and (" of Sweets/Sugar"). It is a time for people to attend prayer services, put on their best clothes (referred to as , often purchased just for the occasion), visit all their loved ones (such as relatives, neighbors, and friends), and pay their respects to the deceased with organised visits to cemeteries. It is also customary for young children to go around their neighborhood, door to door, and wish everyone a "Happy ", for which they are awarded candy, chocolates, traditional sweets such as baklava and Turkish delight, or a small amount of money at every door.
Mosques, minarets and public fountains tend to be lighted up for the occasion, and popular events such as Sufi music concerts, dervish dancing ceremonies, and shadow puppet shows are held in the nights.
Ramadan in the Ottoman era was passed with great happiness due to the existence of various kinds of entertainment. The streets would be filled with performances by musicians, magicians and other talented people that suitable for all ages, so children could enjoy it. Poetry had a huge influence on Ottoman classical music, in fact it served as a basis. At iftar, they had popular song to be played that called fasil music along with some instruments such as tambourine and flute. Next, mahya illuminations represent gratitude towards God with lamps of olive oil, barb, and ropes which would form certain sentences or images as desired. This decoration lightened up the darkness of the night with the beauty of its light.
During Ramadan, many restaurants and cafes may have limited operating hours during the day and may be closed during fasting hours. In the middle of the night drummers circulate through towns and villages to wake sleepers so they can prepare Sahur, the big early-morning meal to be eaten before the fast begins again at sunrise. They tend to make their noise around 02:30 and 03:00 am, and they make sure everyone hears them. Turkish people invite anyone to break the fast together in the order of inviting older relatives first, other relatives, neighbors who are quite close, and some areas that have village's leaders, teachers, and caretakers where the order has been determined by tradition.
States of the Arabian Peninsula
In the Arab states of the Persian Gulf countries, men would typically buy new (traditional white long robe) or dye their existing with walnut oil. Women would wear special clothes for the occasion along with special perfumes and braids. Most would offer fruit, dates, tea or coffee to visitors. Those who live in rural areas tend to celebrate more modestly. Buildings, shops, roads and houses in UAE cities get decorated in bright festive lights. Many shows such as theatres would also occur.
In Bahrain, families often celebrate the festival with an eid dinner consisting of quzi or machboos rice dishes, while popular sweets include halwa or khanfroosh (see Bahraini cuisine). Men typically wear thawbs and women wear abayas, the latter also painting henna on their hands or feet.
Saudis decorate their homes and prepare sumptuous meals for family and friends. They prepare new clothes and shoes for the festival. Eid festivities in Saudi Arabia may vary culturally depending on the region, but one common thread in all celebrations is generosity and hospitality. It is a common Saudi tradition for families to gather at the patriarchal home after the Eid prayers. Before the special Eid meal is served, young children will line up in front of each adult family member, who dispense money as gifts to the children.
Omanis would typically eat foods such as shuwa (slow-cooked lamb) with coffee (see Omani cuisine). In some places such as Ibri, folklore songs and traditional dancing are often performed.
In Yemen, Bint al-sahn is the preferred snack during Eid celebrations.
In modern times, supermarkets, corporates, and malls compete to attract children during this time via advertising in newspapers and on TV, and by offering special promotions and arranging closed Gargee'an events to market themselves.
Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon After the Eid al-Fitr prayer, the people of Jerusalem will decorate the courtyards of the al-Aqsa Mosque with toys for children who come from all Palestinian areas to participate in the Eid al-Fitr prayer rituals. Many Palestinians go out to visit the families of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, visit the prisons themselves, and visit graves to lay wreaths on them.
Palestinians and Jordanians decorate their homes and prepare sumptuous meals for family and friends. They prepare new clothes and shoes for the festival. Eid festivities in Palestine and Jordan may vary culturally depending on the region, but generosity and hospitality are common in all celebrations. It is a common Palestinian Jordanian tradition for families to gather at the patriarchal home after the Eid prayers. Before the special Eid meal is served, young children will line up in front of each adult family member, who dispenses money as gifts to the children. Jordanians also hang fanous or "Eid lanterns".
In Lebanon, many concerts take place during Eid al-Fitr by Lebanese and other Arab superstars. Musicians also perform on the Beirut waterfront. Other activities include art exhibitions.
Ma'amoul and Kahk are popular cookie treats baked and consumed during Eid in the region.
Iraq In Iraq, kleicha (the traditional snack) and lamb are popular foods.
Kurdistan region