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
Nafilah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary extra prayers beyond the five obligatory daily prayers.
Hujjah (Proof/Divine Authority)
Allah's proof over humanity — a title for the Prophet and the twelve Imams.
Salat al-Ayat (Prayer of the Signs)
An obligatory prayer performed during natural phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses.
Salat al-Musafir (Traveler's Prayer)
The shortened prayers that travelers perform while traveling.
Ziyarat Ashura (Ashura Visitation Prayer)
A powerful visitation prayer to Imam Husayn, recited daily by many Shia Muslims.
Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
The greatest Islamic holiday, celebrated in remembrance of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.