Overview

Eid al-Fitr is the first of two Islamic holidays in the lunar year (the second being Eid al-Aḍḥā). The day celebrates the end of fasting for the blessed month of Ramaḍān.

It is hoped that through their worship in Ramaḍān that they will have been forgiven for their past bad deeds and will be closer to God for the year to come.

The Day

Muslims gather for a congregational ritual prayer and sermon in the morning, typically followed by meeting up with friends to celebrate the day through gift-giving and eating.

The Backstory

The significance of Ramaḍān lies in the fact that it is the month in which the Qurān, Muslim’s religious text, was first revealed, making it the best time of the year.

It’s a month spent fasting, praying, giving charity, reciting Qurān and seeking forgiveness from God [Allāh] and from others that one may have wronged.

During a fast, Muslims forsake the most basic human desires - food, drink and sexual relations - in order to elevate their internal state to one that is hyper aware of every action it’s performing.

The Scripture

God says about fasting in the Qurān:



“Fasting was mandated for you, as it was mandated on those before you, so that you might become God-conscious.” (link)

The Qurān teaches Muslims that fasting isn’t to lose weight or to suffer throughout the day. Rather, it’s a means of becoming more aware of God in our actions and for the blessings He has given us