In this article, we will talk about the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, and we will understand the difference between it and Eid al-Adha.
What is Eid called in Egypt?
Eid Mubarak,” means “Blessed festival”. It is a common phrase that you will hear when you visit Egypt on Eid Al-Fitr. To respond to it you will just say “Khair Mubarak”.
The eid meaning in English is “festival” or “feast”. In Islam, there are two major Eids which are Eid al-Fitr which comes after Ramadan the month of reading the Quran and doing good deeds. and Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate with your friends and family. The second Eid is Eid al-Adha which is the larger Eid, it is a four days festival.
How do Egyptians celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr:
During Eid al-Fitr, people celebrate with each other by saying “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Eid”. They tend to prepare sweet dishes at home like Maamoul, and cookies. Give candy and gifts to kids and the ones in need. Also, Muslims tend to seek forgiveness and Allah’s mercy.
In Egypt, Eid Al-Fitr is a national holiday, meaning no work or school. People gather together with their family, friends, and neighbors.
Also, there is this unique tradition where each family gathers at the end of Ramadan to make Kahk, Petit four, Ghoriba, and many other Eid cookies. They also wear new clothes and visit each other to celebrate together.
That’s not all, people celebrate Eid Al-Fitr by praying Salat Al-Eid, they all gather at the mosques or open spaces, but normally at open spaces. They pray two Rakat then they ask Allah for forgiveness.
Eid al-Adha:
Eid al-Adha comes at the end of the Hajj (capable Muslims go to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to do the pilgrimage.
This Eid tells us the story of how Allah commanded the prophet, Ibrahim, to sacrifice his son Ismail to test his faith. And how Ibrahim informed his son Ismail. They both accepted Allah’s command and as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah intervenes and a ram is sacrificed in place of Ismail. So, during this Eid Muslims sacrifice animals in remembrance of this story.
What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid meaning in English is “festival” or “feast”. In Islam, there are two major Eids which are Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast) which comes after Ramadan the month of reading the Quran and doing good deeds. Eid al-Fitr in Egypt marks the end of Ramadan (the month of fasting) and it is the first three days of Shawwal (the 10th month of the Islamic calendar)
Then comes Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). During this festival, the Muslims that are capable of buying sheep, goats, camels, or cows to sacrifice, do so. They buy what they can afford and divide the flesh of the animal among themselves, the poor, and friends and neighbors. Also, during this Eid people tend to visit their friends and family.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate with your friends and family. The second Eid is Eid al-Adha which is the larger Eid, it is a four days festival.
What are the important features of Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr comes after Ramadan the month of reading the holy Quran and doing good deeds. It is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate it with your friends and family. When you visit Egypt on Eid the streets will be crowded with people and the streets will be filled with the sweet smell of Kahk and other amazing Eid cookies. You will experience a whole new world.
- Sunnah of Eid ul Fitr:
One of the nights that no dua is rejected is the night before Eid, the prophet peace and blessing be upon him said:
‘There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr, and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha)’. (As-Suyuti).
Before you go to the Eid salat you should eat something, and it is a sunnah to eat an odd number of dates. As the prophet’s peace and blessing be upon him used to eat an odd number of dates before praying the Eid salat.
It is sunnah to take a shower and wear your best clothes before going to the eid prayer, and also to apply perfume.
- Takbeer of eid ul fitr:
On your way to the salat recite the takbeer, which is: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaaha illa-llaah, wa-llaahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li-llaahil hamd.
This means “God is the Greatest, there is none worthy of worship besides God and to God belongs all praise”.
Also, you should know that there is no nafl prayer offered before or after the prayer. Abbas said, ‘The Prophet (saw) went out to the place of prayer on the Day of Fitr and prayed two raka’ah of Eid prayer, not praying before or after them’. [Bukhari]
Make the niyyah (intention) before you start praying. The intention comes from the heart you don’t have to say it.
Dua of Eid al-Fitr
The eid dua is recited as follows:
اللَّهُ اكْبَرُ ٱللَّهُ اكْبَرُ
allahu akbar allahu akbar
Allah is Great. Allah is Great.
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
la ilaha illa allahu
There is no god save Allah.
وَٱللَّهُ اكْبَر ُاللَّهُ اكْبَرُ
wallahu akbar allahu akbar
And Allah is Great.Allah is Great.
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ
wa lillahi alhamd
All praise be to Allah.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَانَا
alhamdu lillahi `ala ma hadana
All praise be to Allah for He has shown us the Right Path.
وَلَهُ ٱلشُّكْرُ عَلَىٰ مَا اوْلانَا
wa lahu alshshukru `ala ma awlana
All thanks are to Him for that which He has conferred upon us.
