Id
Id-ul-Fitr
Id-ul-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of RamadanThe month of fasting and prayer in Islam, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.. It is celebrated by lots of Muslims worldwide. Id-ul-Fitr means ‘the festival of breaking the fast’. The festival lasts for three days and it allows family and friends to get together. During this time, Muslims also give money to the poor. This is known as ‘Zakat-ul-Fitr’ and it reminds Muslims that not everyone is as wealthy as they are.
The festival is important for the following reasons:
- it marks the end of a month of fasting (Ramadan)
- it brings the ummahThe Arabic word for ‘nation’ or ‘community’. It is the world-wide community of followers of Islam. together
- it is a time for sharing and being grateful
- it is a time to appreciate all the positive things in life
Id ul-Adha
Id-ul-Adha happens approximately 30 days after Id-ul-Fitr, depending on the lunar calendar. It is concerned with the idea of sacrifice for Allah. Muslims remember how Ibrahim believed in Allah so much that he was prepared to sacrifice his son, Ismail, to show his love and dedication to Allah. The festival celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to put his trust in Allah and sacrifice his son. In Muslim countries, it is a public holiday and all shops and schools are shut.
During Id-ul-Adha, Muslims come together to offer Id prayers together in a mosque or a park. As part of the Id an animal is sacrificed in the halalAny action or thing which is permitted or lawful. way by a specialist. The animal's meat is then divided and distributed to family, friends and the poor. Muslims come together to celebrate Id with their family and friends and are charitable to the poor. Muslims who celebrate this festival while performing HajjThe pilgrimage Muslims make to Makkah (Mecca) during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. The Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. remove their ihramSimple clothing worn by pilgrims, consisting of two lengths of white cloth for men, and for women normal clothing with face and hands uncovered. (after receiving confirmation that their animal has been sacrificed) and wear regular clothes. They then continue with the remaining acts of worship to complete their Hajj.
Id-ul-Adha is important as it allows Muslims across the world to participate in Hajj with family and friends, even if they are unable to take the journey to Makkah (Mecca)City where the Prophet Muhammad was born, and where the Ka’bah is located - often spelt Mecca.. It also reminds Muslims that Allah is with them at all times, which means they should worship him always.
Id-ul-Ghadeer
Id-ul-Ghadeer is only celebrated by Shi'aMuslims, or Shi’ites, who believe in the Imamah, leadership of Ali and his descendants after the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims. It takes place on the 18th day of the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The celebration remembers when the Prophet Muhammad announced in public that Ali would be his successor at Ghadir Khum. ’a Muslims believe that Muhammad said:
Of whomsoever I am Lord. Then Ali is also his Lord. O God! Be thou the supporter of whoever supports Ali and the enemy of whoever opposes him.
On this day, ’a Muslims fast and listen to speeches and religious poetry.