What is Eid?

What is Eid?

There are special days across the Islamic calendar designated as religious holidays, known as Eid. These selected days in Islam hold sanctity and are as follows:

• Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: عُيْدُ الفِطْر) – Occurring on the 1st day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of a month’s worth of fasting and devotion during the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting is forbidden on this day and Muslims hold Eid prayer. Paying Zakat al-Fitra (alms to needy believers) is obligatory for Muslims on this day.

• Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عُیْدُ الأضْحَی) – Eid al-Adha coincides with the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. On this day, the pilgrims who go to Hajj are to offer a sacrifice (i.e. a sheep, cow, or camel) as one of the obligatory rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage. The significance of this ritual dates back to when the divine command for Prophet Ibrahim (p) to sacrifice his son Ismail (p) was issued. After submitting to the will of God and attempting to fulfill God’s command, Angel Jibril (p) came down with a ram to be sacrificed instead, and Ismail (p) was spared. As such, Muslims around the world, including pilgrims at Hajj, offer a sacrifice symbolizing the act of devotion and obedience to God demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (p). For more details about this story click here.

• Eid al-Ghadir (Arabic: عُیْدُ الغَدِیْر) – On Dhu al-Hijjah 18, the Prophet (pbuh&hp) officially appointed Imam Ali (p) as his successor and Imam after himself following an order from God, according to the Holy Quran [5:67] and [5:3]. That event happened in the Prophet’s (s) Farewell Hajj (Hajjat al-Wida’), in 10/632 in a place called Ghadir Khumm. According to the Ahl al-Bayt School of Thought, the anniversary has been called “Eid Allah al-Akbar” (the Greatest Eid of God), Eid of Ahl al-Bayt (a) and “Ashraf al-A’yad” (Most Honorable Eid). Loyal Muslims celebrate this day around the world with various customs.

• Every Friday (Arabic: الجُمُعَة) – On a weekly basis, Islam singled out Friday as a sacred and blessed day.  Although it is a minor Eid compared to the other 3 major Eids, Fridays bring a number of blessings and opportunities. On this day, Muslims gather for the Friday prayer and thereby meet and catch up with fellow friends, family, and other community members. This allows one to catch up with friends and family and renew their social bonds with fellow community members. Additionally, it is encouraged and spiritually recommended to maintain one’s hygiene on this day, applying perfume, and leaving one’s house to meet others in their best appearance. Acts of worship are emphasized on this day, for the rewards of prayers, seeking forgiveness, and paying charity multiply in blessings.