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Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha – What is the Difference? 

Blog - Muslim Aid's
Media Insights Eid, meaning ‘celebration’ or ‘festival’, is a prestigious word in Islam. There are two dedicated times of Eid in Islam
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that Muslims celebrate as per the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) guidance: Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. These are
2024 times at which Allah (SWT) rejoices in His followers being happy and encourages joy amongst all.
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2023 Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha often get confused, but they are two separate celebrations and have different meanings
behind them. The two festivals are celebrated similarly, but they commemorate different things and as such,
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What is Eid?
As mentioned, Eid refers to a time of joyous celebration. There are two types of Eid: Eid ul-Fitr (sometimes called
‘small Eid’) and Eid ul-Adha (sometimes called ‘big Eid’, 'Qurbani Eid', ‘Bakra Eid’ or ‘Eid al-Kabir’).

When is Eid?
The question of ‘when is Eid?’ depends on which type of Eid you’re referring to. If you’re wondering which Eid is
after Ramadan, it is Eid ul-Fitr. This tends to be the more widely known Eid of the two amongst those who do not
follow Islam, and that is despite it being the lesser of the two Eids.

When is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr follows Ramadan which takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. This means Eid
ul-Fitr comes before Eid ul-Adha and therefore is the first of the Eids. The last 10 days of Ramadan is said to bring
with it a thousand months’ worth of blessings, and there’s no better way to follow the month of fasting and charitable
giving than with Eid celebrations. Officially, Eid ul-Fitr celebrations commence on the first day of Shawwal – the 10th
month of the year.

When is Eid ul-Adha?

Qurbani is one of the holiest times of the year for Muslims and occurs during the 12th month of the lunar year. For
Qurbani to commence, Eid ul-Adha prayers must have been observed. This places the Eid ul-Adha date after Eid ul-
Fitr, with Eid ul-Adha being in Dhul Hijjah.

As a result of the Islamic calendar being based on the lunar cycle, exact dates for both the Eid’s changes every year,
being approximately 10/11 days earlier each year.

Eid Greetings
To wish each other a blessed Eid ul-Adha, “Eid Mubarak” is the generic greeting. This is also used on Eid ul-Fitr. To
be more specific, you can say “Eid ul-Fitr Mubarak” or “Eid ul-Adha Mubarak” but given that the two holidays fall at
different times of the year, “Eid Mubarak” works just fine.

What is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and lasts for one day. It is a celebration of Allah (SWT) giving you the strength
to get through the Ramadan fast. So, how is Eid ul-Fitr celebrated? There are several parts to the day, including:

Waking up early and greeting the family

Performing Salah (prayers)
Performing ghusl (ablution)
Preparing clothes (often new attire) and getting ready for the day ahead
Sitting down for breakfast with family and friends
Ensuring Zakat-ul-Fitr is paid prior to Eid Salah
Performing Eid Salah in congregation
Greeting all fellow Muslims and exchanging Elid ul-Fitr greetings
Visiting family and friends and celebrating

For those who successfully managed to fast, they should thank Allah (SWT) for giving them the strength to get
through the trying month of Ramadan. Anyone who missed or broke the fast and is liable to pay Fidya or Kaffarah must
ask Allah (SWT) for mercy and the strength to pay their owed dues.

Why is Eid ul-Fitr Important?

Eid ul-Fitr is important because it follows one of the most sacred months of all: Ramadan. Ramadan is a time for
Muslims to strengthen their bond with Allah (SWT), recite the Qur’an and exercise great will power. As a reward, Eid
ul-Fitr is celebrated.

How Many Days is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr lasts for just one day, which is the first day of Shawwal.

What is Eid ul-Adha?

Following the Hajj pilgrimage comes Eid ul-Adha which is considered the great Eid because of its religious
significance. Eid ul-Adha is a time to revere the devotion of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he demonstrated his
obedience through his preparation to sacrifice his son, Ismail, for Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) spared Ismail’s (AS) life
and swapped him for a ram at the last moment before the sacrifice, revealing that it had been a test.

This is commemorated during Eid ul-Adha in the form of Qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal in the name of Allah
(SWT). This sacrifice is conducted immediately following the Eid Salah.

Although many of the activities undertaken during Eid ul-Fitr will also happen during Eid ul-Adha, there are some key
and important differences. Most notable of all is the act of Qurbani which is the sacrifice of an animal – usually a goat.

Prayers will be made and Eid ul-Adha wishes will be exchanged amongst the community. Gifts may be given to one
another, and families will come together to feast across the three days. It truly is a period of great celebration and joy
amongst the Muslim community.

How Many Days is Eid ul-Adha?

The Eid ul-Adha celebration typically lasts three days and, much like Eid ul-Fitr, is a period of pure happiness and
rejoice amongst the Muslim community. In Muslim-majority countries, it is a national holiday.

What Links Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr?

Despite the two Eids having different meanings, both are united by charity. Zakat ul-Fitr is given during Eid ul-Fitr at
the end of Ramadan and is used to provide food for those who are hungry.

Eid ul-Adha encompasses Qurbani which is the sacrifice of an animal. The animal is then divided into three parts, one
of which is given to those who are living in poverty.

The spirit of charity is crucial to Islam. It is a key expression of Allah's (SWT) love for us and we are privileged to
be able to celebrate with our brothers and sisters around the world.

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