There are two Eids celebrated each year, each having a different significance. The first one is known as Eid-al-Fitr and it is celebrated on the first day of the tenth month of Shawwal, after fasting throughout the day for the entire 9th month of Ramadan. It is a celebration of brotherly love among followers of the religion and they also include the community with zakat or alms for the poor.
The main reason for the celebration of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr following it, is because it was the month during which the prophet Muhammad revealed the holy book of Quraan.
Loading image... (Muslims on Eid-al-Fitr at Jama Masjid)
The second Eid is called Eid-al-Adha and celebrates the willingness of the prophet Abrahamto sacrifice his son in the name of Allah. However, the Almighty did not bring it to that and was just testing his faith. Right at the fateful moment of execution, Allah replaced Abraham’s beloved son with a goat or bakri, which is why it is also called Bakr-Eid.
It is celebrated on the 1oth day of the 12th month of Dhu Al-Hijjah. It is marked by animal sacrifices and the meat is distributed amongst the family, friends, and the poor. This is also the right time to go for Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to the holy rock of Kaba in Mecca.
Loading image... (Hajj Festival)
An interesting fact is that Muslims follow a Lunar calendar, which is around 10 days short of the modern solar calendar. Therefore, every year, the Eids come ahead by around 10 days give or take. In 2039, it is going to make a unique situation and there is going to be an Eid-Al-Adha followed by an Eid-Al-Fitr, which will be succeeded by another Eid-Al-Adha.