Why Muslims observe two Eids and what each one means

Two major festivals called Eid are observed by Muslims each year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Though both are called “Eid” meaning festival or holiday they mark different religious events and carry distinct meanings and practices.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that follows the completion of the holy month of Ramadaan, during which Muslims observe fasting. It marks the end of Ramadaan and is a day of feasting, giving to the poor, gift-giving and social gatherings.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha is observed around the time of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is commonly known as the festival of sacrifice. The celebration commemorates the belief in Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) devotion to God and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Isaac). According to the tradition described, at the point of sacrifice God replaced Ismail with a ram to be slaughtered instead.

Qurban and sharing meat

The ritual of Qurban refers to slaughtering an animal such as cattle or sheep on Eid al-Adha. The meat from the Qurban is distributed to the needy and families often share a portion among themselves.

Why are there two Eids, not two Ramadans?

Although some people wonder if there are two Ramadans, Ramadaan is a single holy month of fasting and Eid al-Fitr marks its completion. Eid al-Adha is a separate festival with a different meaning tied to sacrifice and the timing of Hajj.

Why Eid dates can differ between countries

Both Eids depend on a legitimate sighting of the moon, which means different countries or regions may start observing an Eid on different days. For example, a large part of the northern hemisphere may begin celebrating Eid on Wednesday, while South Africa and several other countries may start on Thursday.

What Eid looks like

In general, Eid days are marked by communal prayers, festive meals, charitable giving and dressing up traditions that fill social media feeds with celebration and style during each festival.