Curious to know what is Eid? Eid is a beautiful and lovely day to pray, care, love, smile and celebrate with one another and to thank Allah for giving us this wonderful day. Linguistically, Eid comes from the Arabic root ‘āda, meaning “to return,” reflecting its recurring nature as a special, divinely prescribed occasion. Eid is not just any festival; it is a sacred day of worship, love, and lawful happiness, completely different from man-made celebrations often focused on materialism.
Muslims have two Eids legislated by Allah Almighty: Eid al-Fitr, celebrated after completing the fast of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, observed during the Hajj time. Each Eid has unique rituals and spiritual significance, yet both emphasize gratitude, obedience, and community unity.
This article explores the main questions about Eid in Islam, including its meaning, history, purpose, differences between the two Eids, and how it differs from other festivals—offering a complete understanding for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
What is Eid?
The word Eid refers to something that recurs or returns regularly. Linguistically, it denotes a habitual or recurring event, a time that comes back again and again. It can also refer to a place people visit periodically or a time during which a specific act is performed regularly. The plural of Eid is A’yād, meaning days of gathering.
The term Eid is derived from the Arabic root ‘āda (عاد), which means “to return,” because this occasion returns every year. The scholar Ibn al-‘Arabi explained that it is called Eid because it returns with happiness each year. Some scholars also relate the word to ‘ādah (عادة), meaning a custom or tradition, since Muslims are accustomed to celebrating Eid annually.
In Islam, Eid is not merely a recurring celebration but an act of worship and gratitude. It is a time when Muslims express thankfulness to Allah for enabling them to complete great acts of devotion, such as fasting or pilgrimage.
Read also: Eid wishes in Islam
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is the festival that Allah Almighty has legislated for Muslims after completing the fast of the month of Ramadan, the fourth pillar of Islam. It marks the end of a month of worship, self-discipline, and devotion, and it is a day of gratitude, joy, and communal celebration. Muslims begin the day with a special congregational prayer, and share lawful happiness with family and society.
Eid al-Fitr is expected in 2026 around 20 March, although the exact date is confirmed by the sighting of the new moon.
What is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is the festival that Allah has legislated for Muslims following the completion of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a major act of worship that expresses gratitude, obedience, and devotion to Allah. The day begins with a special congregational prayer, followed by the sacrifice of an animal (Qurbani), and the sharing of its meat with family, relatives, and those in need.
The History of Eid in Islam
The two Eids in Islam were legislated in the second year after the Hijrah. When Muslims settled in Madinah, Allah replaced pre-Islamic festive days with two religious celebrations grounded in worship and gratitude.
It was narrated by Anas ibn Malik that when Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), came to Madinah, the people had two days on which they used to play and celebrate. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“You had two days when you would play, but Allah (SWT) has given Muslims something instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.”
[Sahih Sunan An-Nasai]
The background of Eid al-Adha goes back to the story of Prophet Abraham (PBUH). Allah commanded him in a dream to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Ibrahim obeyed the command and prepared to fulfill it, but Allah replaced Ismail with a ram, demonstrating that the essence of the act was sincere submission and obedience to Him.
Read also: How to celebrate Eid?
What is the Purpose of Eid in Islam?
Eid in Islam is a time to thank Allah for His guidance and blessings after completing great acts of worship. It is a day of reward, lawful joy, and renewed devotion.
Eid combines gratitude, worship, and balanced happiness, showing that Islam unites spirituality with human need for joy and rest.
- Expressing gratitude to Allah for enabling acts of worship and obedience.
- A day of reward for patience, devotion, and perseverance in worship.
- Manifesting lawful joy, celebration, and social unity among Muslims.
- Allowing wholesome entertainment and relaxation within the limits of faith. A’ishah reported that the Prophet said on Eid: “The Jews should know that there is room for leisure in our religion. I was sent with an upright [moderate & balanced], monotheistic religion.” [Sahih Ahmad]
- Renewing brotherhood, kindness, and good intentions in daily actions.
- Affirming that joy itself can be an act of worship when done sincerely.
Read also: Eid prayers
What are the Differences between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Among the differences between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are:
| Aspect | Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha |
| Time | On the first day of Shawwal, immediately after the month of Ramadan. | On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, in line with the Hajj time. |
| Connection to Worship | Comes after completing the fast of Ramadan. | Comes while performing the major pilgrimage (Hajj). |
| Main Meaning | A celebration of gratitude for completing a month of fasting, patience, and devotion. | A declaration of obedience, sacrifice, and submission to Allah. |
| Primary Ritual | Giving Zakat al-Fitr before Eid and performing the Eid prayer. | Offering the sacrificial animal (Qurbani) and performing the Eid prayer. |
| Shared Principle | Both follow major acts of worship and express gratitude, joy, and devotion to Allah. | Both follow major acts of worship and express gratitude, joy, and devotion to Allah. |
What Is the Difference Between the Islamic Two Eids and Other Festivals?
The primary difference is that the two Islamic Eids are legislated acts of worship prescribed by Allah, whereas other festivals are human-established occasions. For Muslims, Eid is a sacred religious celebration connected to obedience, gratitude, and devotion, not merely a cultural or seasonal event.
Accordingly, Muslims observe only the two Eids as religious festivals. Celebrating religious or pagan festivals outside this framework is considered impermissible in Islamic teaching, because such occasions are not part of the divinely prescribed acts of worship.
Read more: Benefits of Eid in Islam
Conclusion
To conclude, Muslims’ Eids are sacred occasions that nurture gratitude to Allah and promote solidarity, compassion, and balanced joy in society.
- What is Eid? A recurring religious celebration that renews faith, gratitude, and communal unity.
- What is Eid al-Fitr? A festival of thankfulness after Ramadan, marked by prayer, charity, and lawful joy.
- What is Eid al-Adha? A festival of sacrifice and devotion linked to Hajj and the legacy of sincere obedience.
- History of Eid in Islam: The two Eids were divinely prescribed in the 2nd Hijri year to replace earlier festivities with worship-centered celebrations.
- Purpose of Eid: To thank Allah, reward perseverance in worship, and allow wholesome happiness within faith.
- Differences between the Two Eids: Each follows a major act of worship—fasting or pilgrimage—and has a distinct atmosphere.
- Difference from Other Festivals: Islamic Eids are acts of worship legislated by Allah, not cultural or human-made observances.
If you are exploring Islam, learning about Eid offers a window into how faith, gratitude, and community come together in social life. Feel free to send your questions via WhatsApp right now for a deeper discussion.
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