Eid al-Fitr

Eid-al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30 in 2025. It is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Shawwal month. It is also known as the "Festival of Breaking Fast". 

Eid-al-Fitr is a public holiday in India and many countries across West Asia. 

History Behind Eid-al-Fitr: Why is it Celebrated 

Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated on the first and second days of Shawwal. Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The date according to the Gregorian calendar varies every year since the Islamic calendar depends on the lunar cycle. 

Eid al-Fitr was established by the Prophet Muhammad in 624 CE following the Battle of Badr, a pivotal event in early Islamic history. The battle was one of the first major victories for the Muslims of Medina against the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. It symbolized not just a military triumph but a spiritual victory for the nascent Muslim community. After this battle, Prophet Muhammad introduced Eid al-Fitr as a day of communal celebration and thanksgiving.

It is also said that in the early days of Islam, Allah instructed the Prophet Muhammad to fast during the month of Ramadan to help develop empathy, self-discipline, and compassion and to strengthen the bond between Allah and his children. 

Eid-Al-Fitr Celebration and Traditions

Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated to express gratitude towards Allah for his blessings. While celebrations vary across countries, some traditions are universal:

• People clean their homes, decorate, and prepare special clothes for the festivities. Shopping for new clothes, gifts, and treats is an essential part of getting ready for Eid.
• The celebration typically starts with the sighting of the new moon which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal.
• People gather in mosques or open spaces to offer the special Eid prayer that has two units of prayer and a sermon. 
• After the prayer is done, they greet each other and exchange the greeting "Eid Mubarak" which translates to "Happy Eid". They also gather to exchange gifts, and sweets and have a delightful feast with their near and dear ones. 
• One of the main highlights of Eid-al-Fitr is Zakat-al-Fitr or Fitra. It is a traditional charity where people donate to the needy before commencing the Eid prayer to help the less fortunate so that they can also celebrate Eid and enjoy. 

Traditional Food Consumed on Eid-al-fitr

• Baklava: It is a rich, flaky pastry filled with nuts and soaked in sweet honey or syrup.
• Biriyani: A fragrant rice dish layered with spiced meat and aromatic herbs.
• Mutton Korma: A creamy, slow-cooked curry made with tender mutton and rich spices.
• Haleem: It is a hearty, slow-cooked stew of wheat, lentils, and meat with a smooth texture.
• Keema Samosa: A crispy, deep-fried pastry filled with spiced minced meat.
• Kebabs: Juicy, spiced meat skewers or patties grilled or pan-fried to perfection.
• Sheer Khurma: A creamy vermicelli pudding topped with cardamom and nuts.
• Shahi Tukda: This classic dish is fried bread soaked in sugar syrup and topped with thickened milk.
• Sheermal: A soft, saffron-infused mildly sweet flatbread.
• Ma'amoul: Buttery, crumbly shortbread cookies stuffed with dates or nuts.
• Basbousa: A moist semolina cake soaked in rose or orange blossom syrup.
• Katayef: This is a soft, fluffy Arabic pancake folded over sweet fillings like nuts, cream, or cheese, then fried or baked and soaked in syrup.

Eid-al-Fitr is a very devout day in the Islamic faith and it also serves as a reminder of faith, family, values, and community. People from all over the globe come together to get into the spirits of this joyful festival.

This day is also supposed to purify us and clean our sins while thanking God for his help and guidance. 

You might like to read these articles next:

• Discover more about Ramadan
• Learn more about the Islamic Calendar.