In Islam, there are two Eid festivals. Confused? You don’t need to be!
Muslims have two major celebrations every year; Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. They are very different festivals with different features and meanings.
Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan, in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, where Muslims across the globe fast from sunrise to sunset and purify their actions by donating generously to charity and giving up bad habits.
The first Eid festival in 624 CE was established by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and he celebrated with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.
Each year, the festival will begin when a new moon is sighed in the sky, although Muslims in most countries wait for an official sighting to be announced, rather than scanning the skies themselves.
On Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims do not merely rejoice at the end of a month of fasting, but they are thanking Allah for the strength He gave them throughout the month to help them practice self-control and restraint. Families will put on new clothes, decorate their homes and share a special meal with friends, neighbours and loved ones.
On this sacred day, Muslims will attend special services at their local mosques and some will take part in processions through the streets. Eid is a time of forgiveness and unity, where love and peace are shared by all.
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid or the Feast of the Sacrifice, is the time when Muslims come together to celebrate the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim (as), when he submitted to the will of Allah and offered his son as a sacrifice.
Ibrahim’s son Ismail was also completely obedient to the divine command, recognising it to be the will of God. However, Allah in his infinite mercy prevented the sacrifice at the last minute and provided a ram as an alternative offering.
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated around the world with the sacrifice of cows, sheep and goats, and the meat is then distributed to the poor and needy, as well as among family and friends. This is known as the Qurbani sacrifice, and allowed Muslims worldwide to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Ibrahim. Special meals will be shared with loved ones and it’s forbidden to fast on this day.
It falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, when an estimated 4 million Muslims make the holy pilgrimage of Hajj to perform ancient rituals that connect them to God and enable them to receive His forgiveness.
On these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, there is no better time to make your Qurbani payment and with Human Appeal, it’s never been easier to do so. Simply select the country that you’d like your Qurbani shares to be distributed in and choose the number of shares you wish to give.
By giving your Qurbani with Human Appeal, you can be certain that every bit of your share will reach those in desperate need. Around the world, millions of malnourished and vulnerable families will go hungry this Eid unless we act now. With prices starting at just £25, you can provide a suffering family with the precious gift of fresh meat.
Give your Qurbani today.
