Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)
The Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan's fasting.
Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) is one of the two great Islamic holidays and marks the end of Ramadan's fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "For the fasting person there are two joys: the joy of breaking the fast and the joy of meeting his Lord" (Sahih al-Bukhari).
The Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid) is a central part of the celebration. It is prayed in the morning after sunrise and consists of two rak'ah with extra takbirat (in the Hanafi school: 3 extra takbir in the first rak'ah and 3 in the second; in the Shafi'i school: 7 in the first and 5 in the second). The khutbah is delivered after the prayer (unlike the Friday prayer, where it is before).
Sunnah acts on Eid al-Fitr include: performing ghusl, wearing the best clothes, eating dates (an odd number) before the prayer, paying Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer, and taking different routes to and from the prayer ground. The Prophet said: "Eid al-Fitr is not for the one who wears new clothes, but for the one who is free from fear of the Day of Judgment" (Musnad Ahmad).
Related terms
Nahj al-Balagha (The Peak of Eloquence)
Imam Ali's collection of sermons and wise sayings, central to Shia prayer tradition.
Ramadan (The Month of Fasting)
The holy month of fasting, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Bid'ah (Innovation in Religion)
An innovation or addition to religion that has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah.
Adab al-Salah (Prayer Etiquette)
The recommended norms and inner attitudes that enrich the prayer.
Eid al-Ghadir (The Ghadir Festival)
Shia festival commemorating the Prophet's appointment of Imam Ali as his successor.
Sahih Muslim (Muslim's Authentic Collection)
The second most authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj.