Eid al-Fitr

“Eid mubarak,” EED moo-BAH-rahk, is the most common greeting for Eid al-Fitr for English speakers. The phrase is Arabic for “Blessed Festival.” English speakers often also say simply “Blessed Eid.” Among Arabic speakers, another common greeting is “Kul ʿām wa antum bikhayr,” kool AHM wah AN-toom bi-KHAYR. The phrase is a standard anniversary greeting meaning “Happy New Year” or, more literally, “May you be well each and every year.”

Eid al-Fitr takes place right after the month of Ramadan, in which Muslims believe God revealed the Qurʾān to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl), and during the first three days of the month of Shawwāl. While Ramadan is a month of fasting and solemnity, Eid al-Fitr marks the festive breaking of the Ramadan fast.

Eid al-Fitr, also known as “Festival of Breaking Fast” or “The Small Festival,” is one of the two main Islamic festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in which Muslims believe God revealed the Qurʾān to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl).

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Its date varies due to the lunar calendar. It takes place after the first sliver of the waxing moon is sighted. Although some Muslims rely on astronomical calculations for the waxing moon, many Muslims take into account meteorological phenomena such as cloud cover. The start date of Eid al-Fitr may therefore differ by location or tradition.

During Eid al-Fitr, people attend official receptions, visit friends, give presents, and wear new clothes. Communal prayer is performed, and alms are given.

The communal prayer during Eid al-Fitr lacks a call to prayer (adhān) and includes several additional takbīrs (recitations of “Allahu akbar”).