Eid al-Fitr — عِيدُ الْفِطْر — is the Festival of Breaking the Fast: the celebration that begins on the first day of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan) and marks the completion of a month of fasting. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The people of every nation have a festival, and this is our festival.” (Bukhari 952, Muslim 892). It is one of the two major Islamic celebrations — a day of joy, community, worship, and gratitude prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ as Islam’s own celebration of completion.
What Eid al-Fitr involves
The Sunnah of Eid al-Fitr: paying Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer (a fixed amount of food or its monetary equivalent for every family member, given to the poor so they may celebrate); making ghusl and wearing the best clothes; eating something — preferably dates — before the Eid prayer; going to the prayer by one route and returning by another (following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ — Bukhari 986); attending the Eid prayer and sermon; making takbir from the night of Eid until the prayer; visiting family and friends; and expressing joy.
The Eid prayer
The Eid prayer is two rak’ahs, performed in congregation — preferably in an open field (following the prophetic Sunnah) or in the mosque. It has additional takbeers: twelve extra takbeers (seven in the first rak’ah, five in the second) according to the majority of scholars. The khutbah follows the prayer (unlike Jumu’ah where it precedes). The Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory) in the Hanafi school and sunnah mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah) in others — attending is strongly recommended for all Muslims including women and children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic Festival of Breaking the Fast — celebrated on the first day of Shawwal after Ramadan. It includes the Eid prayer, paying Zakat al-Fitr for the poor, wearing best clothes, eating before the prayer, visiting family, and expressing joy. The Prophet ﷺ described it as Islam’s festival — the ummah’s celebration of completing Ramadan.
What is the greeting for Eid al-Fitr?
The established greeting among the Companions was “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” — May Allah ﷻ accept from us and from you. (Authenticated practice of the Companions). “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) is a widely used cultural greeting that scholars generally consider permissible. The Companions’ greeting specifically asks Allah ﷻ to accept the worship of Ramadan — making it the most meaningful of the Eid greetings.
Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum. May Allah ﷻ accept from us and from you. That is the greeting — not only celebration but a dua that the worship just completed was received.