How to Celebrate Eid: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Celebrate Eid: 13 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Celebrate Eid: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Celebrate Eid: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Celebrate Eid: 13 Steps (with Pictures)
Video: Salvia 2024, March
Anonim

There are two great Eids, or holidays, which are celebrated by Muslims across the world. Each of them has many names, but they are more commonly called Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, and Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice. Both holidays include prayer and charity to the poor, but they are also feast days to celebrate with family and friends.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Celebrating Eid al-Fitr

Celebrate Eid Step 1
Celebrate Eid Step 1

Step 1. Celebrate the end of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr means "Fast Break Festival", and takes place on the first day of the lunar month Shawwal, after the fasting month of Ramadan. In some regions, Muslims gather on hillsides to view the moon and to celebrate when local religious figures declare the beginning of Eid. This sometimes takes two or three days of observation, but individual Muslim countries may have an official three-day holiday planned in advance to cover all possibilities.

Because Eid is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, it does not fall on the same day every year in the (Western) Gregorian calendar. Search the internet or ask a Muslim to find out when the holiday will take place this year

Celebrate Eid Step 2
Celebrate Eid Step 2

Step 2. Get ready

Buying new clothes for the Eid is a widespread tradition, and those who can't afford it should still make an effort to be very well dressed. Muslim women in South Asia often decorate themselves with henna the night before Eid. Men are encouraged to wear perfume or cologne.

Many people perform ghusl when taking a shower or bath on the morning of Eid

Celebrate Eid Step 3
Celebrate Eid Step 3

Step 3. Break the fast right after sunrise

Muslims are not allowed to fast on Eid al-Fitr as they celebrate the end of the fast. Eating before participating in prayer is encouraged. Sometimes celebrants follow the prophet Muhammad's example by breaking the fast with an odd number of dates (usually one or three).

Performing Takbir before sunrise is also recommended if you are a Muslim. Do this by raising your hands and saying "Allahu Akbar" (God is wonderful). If you attend a prayer, as described below, the congregation will do this several times during the event

Celebrate Eid Step 4
Celebrate Eid Step 4

Step 4. Participate in an Eid prayer

Imams perform special Eid prayers in the early morning of the holiday, usually in a large central mosque, an open field, or a stadium. In some regions, all Muslims attend this event. In others, women are encouraged but not required, and in others, the event is for men only. After the prayer is completed, the worshipers hug each other and say "Eid Mubarak" or "Blessed Eid" to wish others well. The event ends with a sermon from the imam.

Celebrate Eid Step 5
Celebrate Eid Step 5

Step 5. Celebrate with sweet foods and with the family

Eid al-Fitr is sometimes called the "Sweet Holiday" as sweet foods are eaten in celebration of the end of the Ramadan fast. Mosques can provide sweets before or after the Eid prayer, but many people also cook desserts and celebrate at home.

There are no requirements for the food you eat (apart from following halal), but regional traditions include dates, halwa, faloda, milk cookies, baklava and noodles

Celebrate Eid Step 6
Celebrate Eid Step 6

Step 6. Give gifts to young people

Adults often give children and youth money or gifts on Eid and occasionally exchange gifts with each other as well. Families often visit their neighbors and relatives after the morning celebration to wish them a happy holiday and exchange gifts.

Celebrate Eid Step 7
Celebrate Eid Step 7

Step 7. Give to the poor

"Zakat al-Fitr", or the duty to give to the poor on that day, is a demand for every Muslim who has the means to do so. Typically, each individual's contribution is the cost of a meal, and it may take the form of money, food or clothing.

Celebrate Eid Step 8
Celebrate Eid Step 8

Step 8. Celebrate the rest of the day

Many people have a family lunch or dinner of meat, potatoes, rice, barley, or whatever else they like. Some rest in the afternoon to recover from a day that began at dawn. Others attend fairs and events organized for Eid, party with friends at night or visit the graves of deceased friends and family.

In many regions, Eid is celebrated for three days or celebrated on different days by different Muslim groups. If you like, you can wake up early to repeat the celebration and prayer the next day

Method 2 of 2: Celebrating Eid al-Adha

Celebrate Eid Step 9
Celebrate Eid Step 9

Step 1. Celebrate at the end of the pilgrim period

Eid al-Adha is celebrated immediately after Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. This usually takes place on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month Dhul Hijjah, but may vary according to the practices of local religious authorities. Muslims everywhere celebrate this holiday, even if they haven't performed this year's hajj.

Because the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar, it does not fall on the same date on the Gregorian (Western) calendar every year

Celebrate Eid Step 10
Celebrate Eid Step 10

Step 2. Participate in an Eid prayer

As described in the Eid al-Fitr section, Muslims, or sometimes just men, usually attend an Eid prayer followed by a sermon in the early morning. Everyone does their best to be well dressed and presentable, showering in the morning and putting on new clothes if they can afford to buy them.

Unlike Eid al-Fitr, there is no special focus on sweets or breaking the fast

Celebrate Eid Step 11
Celebrate Eid Step 11

Step 3. Sacrifice of a four-legged animal

Every individual or family that can afford to do so must sacrifice a sheep, cow, goat or camel on Eid al-Adha to commemorate the animal that God sent to Abraham to replace his son Ishmael as a sacrifice. The animal must be healthy, and halal must be followed by slaughtering the animal.

Celebrate Eid Step 12
Celebrate Eid Step 12

Step 4. Cook and distribute the meat

The meat of the sacrificed animal is cooked using whatever method you prefer. One third is consumed by the family or group that sacrificed the animal. Another third is given to family and friends, often at a separate party. And the last third is given to poor or hungry people.

People often gather in groups to have a barbecue or to eat meat that has been cooked in an oven. Other foods are usually eaten as well, but there are no special requirements other than following halal

Celebrate Eid Step 13
Celebrate Eid Step 13

Step 5. Find another option if sacrifice is not feasible

Many Western countries prohibit the slaughter of animals outside slaughterhouses, and in some cities finding an animal can be difficult. In these situations, Muslims have a few options:

  • Money can be sent to contacts in another country or region who will sacrifice the animal and distribute the meat on your behalf.
  • Muslim butchers can provide a location and assistance so that the sacrifice can be made legally and in accordance with halal.

Tips

  • Arabic coffee is often served on both Eids.
  • Eid can also be celebrated with non-Muslims. Include your non-Muslim friends in some of these traditions.

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