Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr

Two festivals of worship and celebration

Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr are annual Islamic festivals. Id, also written Eid, means festival. Both combine worship of Allah, the Arabic word for God, with meals, family gatherings and generosity. Their names identify their different meanings: Id-ul-Adha is the Festival of Sacrifice, whereas Id-ul-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast.

Both are important in Sunni and Shi’a Islam. Although customs vary between families, countries and communities, these festivals provide shared occasions for Muslims to express their faith and strengthen the ummah, the worldwide Muslim community.

Ibrahim’s test: the origins of Id-ul-Adha

Id-ul-Adha remembers the obedience of Ibrahim, a prophet in Islam. A prophet communicates God’s guidance to people. The festival’s scriptural background is found in Surah 37:77–111, particularly the account of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

Ibrahim understood a dream as a command from Allah to sacrifice his son. When he told his son, the son also accepted the command. Surah 37:102 records his response: ‘O my father, do as you are commanded.’ Both were therefore willing to submit to Allah, despite the enormous personal cost.

Before the son was killed, Allah intervened. Ibrahim had fulfilled the vision and passed the test; the Qur’an describes the son being redeemed with a ‘great sacrifice’. Muslim tradition identifies the replacement sacrifice as a ram and generally identifies the son as Isma’il, although the Qur’anic account itself does not name him.

The central meaning is not that Allah wanted Ibrahim’s son to die. It is that Ibrahim demonstrated trust, loyalty and willingness to put obedience to Allah before his own wishes. Muslims remember this example when considering what they themselves should be willing to give up for God.

Celebrating Id-ul-Adha

Id-ul-Adha is associated with the climax of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. It is celebrated by Muslims around the world, not only by those making the pilgrimage, and celebrations commonly last four days.

Muslims gather for special communal prayers, often at a mosque. A sermon reminds worshippers of sacrifice and obedience to Allah. Families visit one another, wear new or good clothes, exchange gifts or money and share meals. These activities make the festival both an act of worship and a joyful community occasion.

A distinctive activity is qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal such as a sheep or goat in remembrance of Ibrahim. Muslims may arrange for this to be carried out on their behalf, for example through a butcher or an organisation distributing meat to people in need.

The meat is commonly divided into three shares: one for the household, one for relatives, friends or neighbours, and one for people in poverty. This turns remembrance into practical generosity. Giving away some of the food means that celebration is not confined to those who can afford it.

Why sacrifice and sharing matter

Qurbani expresses devotion, but the physical meat is not what Allah needs. Qur’an 22:37 explains: ‘Their meat will not reach God … but what reaches him is piety from you.’ Piety means sincere devotion to God, expressed through belief and conduct.

This teaching connects the outward action with its inward purpose. An animal sacrifice should represent obedience and willingness to give, rather than simply following a custom. Sharing its meat also expresses kindness and responsibility towards others. Remembering Ibrahim and helping people in need are therefore connected parts of the festival, not competing purposes.

Id-ul-Fitr: completing Ramadan

Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month associated with the revelation of the Qur’an. During Ramadan, Muslims observe fasting and practise self-control. Id-ul-Fitr celebrates completing this period of religious discipline and offers an opportunity to thank Allah.

The festival begins with the new moon marking the end of Ramadan. Celebrations may continue for one to three days. It is sometimes called Lesser Eid, but this name does not mean that it is unimportant.

Muslims gather in a mosque or a large outdoor space for special prayers. An imam, a Muslim prayer leader, gives a sermon that may encourage forgiveness and the settling of disputes. Worship and reconciliation help the community begin the period after Ramadan with renewed relationships.

How Id-ul-Fitr expresses gratitude and unity

Families wear their best clothes, visit relatives, decorate homes and share special foods, including sweets or biscuits. Cards and presents may be exchanged, and children often receive gifts. Some communities also practise customs such as decorating hands with henna or visiting the graves of loved ones. Muslims greet one another with ‘Id Mubarak’, meaning a blessed Id.

Shared meals have particular meaning after a month of fasting: they celebrate the breaking of the fast and bring families and neighbours together. Zakat-ul-Fitr, charitable giving associated with the festival, helps people in poverty enjoy food and participate too. Gratitude to Allah is thus expressed through generosity towards other people.

In Sunni Islam, Id-ul-Fitr is a major celebration of completing Ramadan. It also has an important place in Shi’a Islam, where Muslims likewise observe Ramadan and celebrate its completion. The two festivals demonstrate common commitments across these traditions: obedience to Allah, communal worship, gratitude and care for others.