The two Eids: Islamic basis of joy and faith

The religion of Islam is prosperous with distinctive practices. Eid Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the most distinguished occasions of Islam. The two Eids present as main sources of joy and faith for Muslims around the world. They reflect gathering communities together, celebrating sacred accomplishment and social harmony. This article highlights the historical significance, and customs of both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, focusing on their thorough role in the lives of Muslims globally.

Historical Significance of the two Eids
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha have profound historical background in Islam. Each one of them has its distinguished story and significance.

Eid al-Fitr: This occasion occurs at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The prophet Muhammad this event in the year 624 CE after the victory in the Battle of Badr. It is obviously an event of breaking the fast, and it is presented as a day of appreciation and pleasure after a month of determination and pleasure with Allah.

Eid al-Adha: Acknowledged with feast of Sacrifice, this ceremony points out the historical event when the prophet Ebrahim is ordered in a dream vision to sacrifice his son “the prophet Esmail”. While carrying out Allah’s command, Allah sent the prophet Gebriel with a ram to be sacrificed instead of the prophet Esmail. Eid al- Adha is distinguished of the Hajj pilgrimage which is one of the five pillars of Islam. If you want to deepen your knowledge around the five pillars of Islam, click here.

Rituals and customs of Eid al- fitr
Eid al-Fitr is observed with different kinds of rituals and customs, varying from culture to culture or region to region, but which are essentially hinged on Islamic teachings.

Zakat al-Fitr: Muslims are obliged to offer Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer, a kind of charity intended to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech by helping the poor. It is mandatory on every Muslim who has more wealth than they and their family need in the day and night of the Eid al-Fitr.
Eid Prayer—Salat al-Eid: One begins the day with an additional congregational prayer, done either in a mosque or on the open air. It has two rakas with a sermon after them. It is a congregational worship when the Muslims get together and renew their faith by praying for blessings in times to come.

Festive Food and Socializing: The prayer is followed by families and friends gathering for festive food, which normally includes a variety of traditional dishes. It is also a practice to visit relatives and neighbors, exchange gifts, and spread love and happiness within the society.

Rituals and Customs of Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha has its own specific rituals and practices identified with deep spiritual reality.

Qurbani: This presents the essential ritual of Eid al-Adha.Muslims perform a ritual in which sacrifice is performed, bearing in mind that an animal-one might sacrifice a goat, a sheep, sometimes even a cow, and rarely, if very seldom, a camel-must be done. After being cut, the meat is shared out in three equal shares: one-third of this is for the needy, another one-third amongst the relatives, friends, and neighbors, and finally, one-third stays with the family that actually made the sacrifice. Through the act, it has come to stand for the spirit of sharing and charity.

Eid Prayer: Eid al-Adha shares almost all the practices of Eid al-Fitr, and one of them is a special prayer that starts the day. The congregation assembles at crack of dawn to perform Salat al-Eid and then carries out Qurbani. This is succeeded by corporate meals and socializing.

Global Pilgrimage - Hajj: Eid al-Adha occurs simultaneously with the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place in the holy city of Mecca. The festival coincides with the last day of the Hajj pilgrimage, whereby individuals who go to the plain of Arafat for the whole day of intensive prayer and soul-searching.
Social and Spiritual effect of the Two Eids
The Two Eids have an extended impact on the social and spiritual lives of Muslims.

Reinforcing Kinship: There is a focus in both Eids on family and local community life. They afford the Muslim an excellent opportunity to reestablish contact with relations, to heal relationships, and generally to bond more strongly. This makes congregational prayers, communal eating, and charity endow a feeling of togetherness and unity.

Spiritual Rejuvenation: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are more than festivals; they are occasions of spiritual revival. Eid al-Fitr is the day which marks the termination of the month of Ramadan, set apart for fasting, prayer, and contemplation, and which, therefore, finds the Muslims in a spiritually rejuvenated state. Eid al-Adha, with its essence being that of sacrifice and submission to the will of Allah, brings to mind their faith and obedience.

Encourage Charitable giving and Social Justice: Both festivals emphasize that in Islam, charity is not only a desirable act but an essential one. Zakat-al-Fitr and the Qurbani are acts of 'giving' and both, therefore, ensure that the poor are part of the celebration. These practices inculcate social justice, equality, and compassion – which form the very basis of Islam.
World commemoration and cultural variety
While actual and essential religious practices for the Two Eids are the same, celebrations associated with them differ immensely from culture to culture and region to region, pointing toward the multitudes of the Muslim world.

Celebrations in the Middle East: While Eid is marked by public prayers en masse, sumptuous feasts, and folk performances in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, streets are usually found lit up with lights and other decorations. More emphasis here is given to collective worship and dispensation of Zakat.

South Asian Celebrations: These regions, such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh celebrate with vibrant traditions. For instance, there are Special sweets such as "Sheer Khurma" for Eid al-Fitr and "Biryani" for Eid al-Adha are prepared. Colorful cultural programs and festivities in the form of music, dance, and the like, in traditional attire, will be added to the day.

Western Eid Celebrations: The Eid celebrations by Muslims in the West have to mold themselves and accommodate them within the cultural framework. The Eid prayers can take place in large community centers. Interfaith dialogue and community outreach are the center of Eid celebrations. Even though they constitute a minority, the Muslims in these regions make attempts to preserve their cultural and religious identity alive through Eid celebrations.