The Two Eids in Islam

Eid in the Quran

Eid is a name for everything that is accustomed and recurs and is repeated, and Eids are an emblem found in all nations because the establishment of Eids is linked to the instinct and nature of people’s nature. All people love to have occasions where they celebrate and gather and show joy and pleasure. For Muslims, The Eids are two. In the Islamic calendar, we have two special dates of festivities we can enjoy; they are known as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, and they were designated by the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) himself.

Although both festivals are known as short-term Eid, they are pretty different in how they are celebrated and the months they follow.

Eid al Fitr

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Determining the date of Eid al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the crescent of the month of Shawwal, and the crescent of the month of Shawwal is investigated on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan.

This year, the crescent of the month of Shawwal will be investigated on Saturday, April 30, 2022, and from an astronomical point of view, it is expected that the first day of Eid Al-Fitr will be on Monday, May 2, and continue until Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

As for Jordan, Oman, Morocco, and Comoros, which started the month of Ramadan on Sunday, April 3, the Shawwal crescent will be investigated on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Celebration of Eid al-Fitr

During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims participate in unique morning prayers, greet every different with formal embraces, and provide every different greeting of “Eid Mubarak,” or “Have a blessed Eid.” They acquire their own circle of relatives and friends, give a variety of toys and presents to kids, and put together and consume unique meals, which include different candy dishes.

Donating Zakat-al-Fitr

Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan, every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay zakat al-Fitr (fitra). The head of household can also pay Zakat al-Fitr for their dependents such as children, servants, and any dependent relatives.

Zakat al-Fitr can be paid during Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid.

The minimum amount due is the equivalent of about 2 kg of wheat flour, rice, or other staple foodstuffs, per member of the household, including dependents, even if they do not live in the same house.

Eid al Adha

 Eid al-Adha, the Greater Eid, follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, at the time of Qurbani (sacrifice).

Although Eid al-Adha has no direct relation to the Hajj Pilgrimage, it is but a day after the completion of Hajj and therefore has significance in time.

It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided him with a lamb that he was supposed to kill in his son’s place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually slaughtered.

One-third of their meat is consumed by the family which offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members are typically visited and welcomed.

Eid al-Adha for the year 2022 is celebrated/ observed on sundown of Saturday, July 9th, Eid al-Adha is held around the 10th to the 13th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Celebration of Eid al-Adha

In Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a public holiday that involves animal sacrifice, known as Qurbani, prayers, and family gatherings. The day begins with morning prayers, followed by visits to family and friends and the exchange of food and gifts. Muslims traditionally greet each other on the day by wishing one another “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or one of many regional variations of the blessing.

Worshippers who can afford to will slaughter an animal, typically a sheep or a goat, during Greater Eid celebrations as a symbol of Ibrahim’s sacrifice to Allah. 

Donate Qurbani

When you donate “Qurbani,” your donation equals one sheep or goat OR 1/7 of a cow, bull, or buffalo. Your gift can provide about 50 pounds (sheep/goat) to 70 pounds (cow/bull/buffalo/ox) of fresh meat, which feeds about 5 to 10 families.

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