Eid is a significant festival in the Islamic calendar, celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor by Muslims around the world. The word “Eid” means “festival” or “celebration,” and there are two main Eids in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. These Eids hold immense significance in the Islamic community, and Muslims worldwide eagerly await the arrival of these festivals each year. In this article, we will focus on answering the question, “When is Eid?”
When is Eid?
The dates of Eid festivals are determined by the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. As such, the exact date of Eid varies each year. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and the months are based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Therefore, the exact date of Eid is determined based on the sighting of the moon in different parts of the world.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the first Eid of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast. The exact date of Eid al-Fitr is announced after the sighting of the new crescent moon, which usually occurs on the 29th or 30th day of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is the second Eid of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar and is the month in which Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The celebration of Eid al-Adha marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim علیہ السلام (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail علیہ السلام (Ishmael) in obedience to Allah’s command. The exact date of Eid al-Adha is also determined by the sighting of the new moon.
Eid in Different Parts of the World
As mentioned earlier, the date of Eid varies each year based on the sighting of the moon in different parts of the world. Therefore, the exact date of Eid may differ from country to country or even within the same country. In some cases, Muslims may celebrate Eid on different days within the same country or region, depending on the sighting of the moon. For instance, in the United States, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are usually celebrated a day later than in Saudi Arabia or other countries in the Middle East due to the time difference and the sighting of the moon.
The Summary
In conclusion, the exact date of Eid varies each year and is determined by the sighting of the moon in different parts of the world. Muslims eagerly anticipate the arrival of these festivals each year and celebrate them with great joy and enthusiasm. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim علیہ السلام (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. Muslims around the world come together to celebrate these festivals, regardless of their differences in language, culture, or nationality.