More Than Just a Festival, Why Eid Fills Hearts With Joy Around the World?

Most famous festival in the world. Eid isn’t just a date on the calendar it’s a celebration of gratitude, unity, and spiritual victory. Eid comes as a reward after a month of fasting, reflection, and discipline during Ramadan. It is a jolt of happiness that covers friends, families, and entire communities. It is a time when generosity is abundant, smiles are brighter, and hearts are lighter. Every aspect of Eid is meaningful, from the early morning prayers to the delicious meals, from giving charity (Zakat al-Fitr) to dressing in your finest attire. It’s not just about food and fun; it’s about togetherness, renewal, and reminding ourselves of what truly matters. For many, Eid is a reminder that after every struggle comes ease and that’s a reason worth celebrating with joy.

Eid ul-Fitr, or the Feast of Fast-Breaking, is an important Muslim holiday that is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, when the 30 days of fasting is over. It begins on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The celebrations last for up to three days and involve praying, feasting, and giving gifts and charity.

Muslims visit their friends and family. They give greetings cards and children may receive gifts of money, clothes and toys.

Women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi patterns. Mehndi is made from crushed henna leaves mixed with oil and other liquids such as lemon juice, water or tea.

We have been learning about Islam this term and have learnt many facts about how Muslims celebrate their religion during the month of Ramadan.

History of Eid in Islam:

Eid has deep roots in Islamic history and tradition. The two main Eids in Islam Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his lifetime, and both have strong connections to acts of worship and important events in Islamic belief.

Eid al-Fitr

The history of Eid al-Fitr begins with the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting during Ramadan was made obligatory in the second year after the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina (around 624 CE). After completing the month-long fast, Muslims were instructed to celebrate with a day of joy, gratitude, and charity this became Eid al-Fitr. The Prophet Muhammad saw that the people of Medina used to celebrate two festivals from their pre-Islamic days. He told them that Allah had replaced those days with something better: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Since then, Eid al-Fitr has been celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a day to mark the end of fasting and to thank Allah for His blessings. A key part of Eid al-Fitr's history is the giving of Zakat al-Fitr a special charity given before the Eid prayer. This was encouraged by the Prophet to ensure that even the poor could join in the celebration.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha has its historical roots in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was commanded by Allah to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), as a test of his faith. Ibrahim was fully prepared to obey, but Allah replaced Ismail with a ram at the last moment. This act of devotion and submission is remembered each year during Eid al-Adha.

The festival was also formalized by the Prophet Muhammad after his migration to Medina. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and it coincides with the final days of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims honor this occasion by performing animal sacrifices and distributing the meat to family, neighbors, and the needy symbolizing charity, obedience, and compassion.