Eid al-Fitr , also known as “Festival of Breaking Fast” or “The Small Festival,” is one of the two main Islamic festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan , the holy month of fasting in which Muslims believe God revealed the Qurʾān to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel ( Jibrīl ).

Eid al-Fitr

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Find out why Eid al-Fitr is also called the Festival of Breaking Fast

Why Ramadan is one of the holiest months for Muslims

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Arabic:: عيد الفطر (ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, “Festival of Breaking Fast”) or العيد الصغير (al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr, “The Small Festival”)

Turkish:: Ramazan Bayramı (“Ramadan Festival”)

Related Topics:: Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr; Shawwāl

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Eid al-Fitr

Q: What are the common greetings for Eid al-Fitr?

“Eid mubarak,” EED moo-BAH-rahk, is the most common greeting for Eid al-Fitr for English speakers. The phrase is Arabic for “Blessed Festival.” English speakers often also say simply “Blessed Eid.” Among Arabic speakers, another common greeting is “Kul ʿām wa antum bikhayr,” kool AHM wah AN-toom bi-KHAYR. The phrase is a standard anniversary greeting meaning “Happy New Year” or, more literally, “May you be well each and every year.”

Q: What is the difference between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr takes place right after the month of Ramadan , in which Muslims believe God revealed the Qurʾān to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel ( Jibrīl ), and during the first three days of the month of Shawwāl. While Ramadan is a month of fasting and solemnity, Eid al-Fitr marks the festive breaking of the Ramadan fast.

Q: When is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar . Its date varies due to the lunar calendar . It takes place after the first sliver of the waxing moon is sighted. Although some Muslims rely on astronomical calculations for the waxing moon, many Muslims take into account meteorological phenomena such as cloud cover. The start date of Eid al-Fitr may therefore differ by location or tradition.

Q: What activities are common during Eid al-Fitr?

During Eid al-Fitr, people attend official receptions, visit friends, give presents, and wear new clothes. Communal prayer is performed, and alms are given.

Q: How is the communal prayer for Eid al-Fitr different from daily prayers?

The communal prayer during Eid al-Fitr lacks a call to prayer ( adhān ) and includes several additional takbīr s (recitations of “Allahu akbar”).

Islamic festival

Also known as: ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, Küçük Bayram, Koriteh, Ramazan Bayramı, al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr(Show More)

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Oct. 30, 2026 •History

What are the common greetings for Eid al-Fitr?

What is the difference between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr?

What is Eid al-Fitr?

When is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

What activities are common during Eid al-Fitr?

How is the communal prayer for Eid al-Fitr different from daily prayers?

News •

Documentary tells story of city's Muslim community • Oct. 28, 2026, 2:18 AM ET (BBC)

Eid al-Fitr, one of the two main festivals in Islam. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in which Muslims believe God revealed the Qurʾān to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl). It is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar (though the Muslim use of a lunar calendar means that it may fall in any season of the year). Eid al-Fitr is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, and presents are given.

Practices

As in Islam’s other holy festival, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day. The communal prayer is distinguished from daily prayers in its lack of a call to prayer (adhān) and the inclusion of several additional takbīrs (recitations of “Allahu akbar”). Before attending prayer, it is obligatory (farḍ or wājib) for Muslims to give alms. It is recommended (mustaḥabb) to eat something, commonly dates, before the prayer and to dress in one’s nicest or newest attire, lending to a tradition of gifting new clothes. The festival and its practices have long played a significant role in strengthening the social bonds of the Islamic community through its communal gatherings and common fast-breaking, visits to friends and neighbors and between community leaders, and consideration for underprivileged Muslims through the practice of almsgiving.

Timing

The festival takes place after the crescent of a waxing moon is sighted. Although some Muslims rely on astronomical calculations, Eid al-Fitr can be delayed for many other Muslims because of local meteorological phenomena such as cloud cover. The exact date when Eid begins can therefore vary.