There are two holidays throughout the year that Muslims worldwide share together. One is Eid al-Fitr, and the other is Eid al-Adha. Let us first describe the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or his Sunnah, which are common to these two holidays.

The Common Sunnah Traditions of Eids

1. Performing Ghusl (ritual bath). A full-body bath is a recommended Sunnah before leaving for Eid prayers. This act of purification signifies both physical and spiritual cleanliness as we gather to offer our gratitude and supplications to Allah (SWT).
2. Wearing our best clothes. It is Sunnah to wear our best clothes or even purchase new clothes for the occasion. This practice symbolizes our respect and honor for the day, as well as gratitude to Allah (SWT) for His countless blessings.
3. Reciting Takbeer. The recitation of Takbeer is an essential Sunnah for Eid days. Muslims should recite:

   "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha illa Allah, La Ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahil Hamd"

   while leaving home for prayer and continue until the prayer begins. The Takbeer is a proclamation of Allah’s greatness and a way to glorify Him for the successful completion of Ramadan or Hajj obligations.

4. Attending the Eid prayers. The Eid prayer is significant in the day’s celebration. It provides an opportunity for the local Muslim community to come together in unity and gratitude to Allah (SWT). All Muslims, including women, children, and the elderly, are encouraged to attend, fostering a sense of togetherness and communal harmony.
5. Walking to the Eid prayer. If possible, it is recommended to walk to the Eid prayer, following the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Walking to the prayer symbolizes humility and submission to Allah (SWT).
6. Offering Eid greetings. After completing the Eid prayers, Muslims should greet one another with traditional greetings such as Eid Mubarak, Kullu ‘Aam wa Antum Bi Khair, and Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept our deeds from us and you). These greetings foster a sense of love and unity among Muslims as they celebrate their shared faith and devotion.

Specific Sunnah of Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, or the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

When is Eid al-Fitr in 2025?

The Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle, making its months shorter by about 11 days compared to the solar (Gregorian) calendar. In the United States, moon sighting is overseen by the Islamic Fiqh Council of North America. The Council announced that the astronomical new moon will be born on the evening of Saturday, March 29, 2025. Hence, Eid al-Fitr will fall on Sunday, March 30, 2025. However, in Muslim-majority countries, Eid is determined by national moon-sighting committees and may vary slightly.

What Does Eid al-Fitr Mean?

Eid al-Fitr is a time to celebrate the successful completion of Ramadan. It is a moment of joy, gratitude, and reflection on the blessings given by Allah (SWT). It is also a time to remember the less fortunate by sharing charity and acts of kindness.

What to Do on Eid al-Fitr?

1. Give Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer to ensure that the needy can also join in the celebration.
2. Eat something before leaving for prayer, ideally an odd number of dates or something sweet, as per the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This signifies that the fasting of Ramadan has ended.
3. Take a different route home after the prayer, following the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him), allowing for more opportunities to greet and meet fellow Muslims.

Specific Sunnah of Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, or the "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to Allah. It takes place at the conclusion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

When is Eid al-Adha in 2025?

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. In many Muslim-majority countries, the date is determined by national moon-sighting committees. In the United States, most Muslims follow the Saudi Arabian announcement, which aligns Eid with the Day of Arafah, an essential part of Hajj.

The Story of Eid al-Adha

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had a dream in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ismail (peace be upon him). As he prepared to fulfill the command, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram, signifying that Ibrahim’s devotion had been accepted.

The Qur’an narrates this event:

“Then, when the son reached (the age of serious work), he (Ibrahim) said: ‘O my son, I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice. Now see what is your view!’ The son said, ‘O my father! Do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah so wills, one practicing patience and constancy.’ So when they had both submitted their will to Allah, and he (Ibrahim) had laid him (Ismail) prostrate on his forehead for sacrifice, We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim! You have already fulfilled the vision.’ Thus, indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial – and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (Surah As-Saffat 37:102-109)

How is Eid al-Adha Celebrated?

1. Slaughtering an animal as a Sunnah tradition. The meat is divided into three equal parts: one for the family, one for friends, and one for the less fortunate. In regions where slaughtering animals is impractical, many Muslims donate to charities that provide meat to those in need.
2. Fasting before Eid prayers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on the Day of Nahr (sacrifice) until he returned home and ate from his sacrifice. If one is not offering a sacrifice, it is recommended to eat before leaving for prayer.
3. Performing Hajj. Eid al-Adha is deeply connected to Hajj, where pilgrims perform sacred rituals, including Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwa), commemorating the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim and Hajar (peace be upon them).

Eid al-Adha is a time of sacrifice, devotion, and generosity. Many Muslims contribute to international humanitarian efforts, providing food to underprivileged communities worldwide.

The Hajj Pilgrimage

The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca and is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is required of all Muslims who are fit and able to travel and financially capable of affording the journey at least once in their lifetime. During Hajj, pilgrims perform various acts of worship to renew their faith and sense of purpose. One of the key rituals is walking and praying seven times around the Ka’bah, a mosque built by the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail (peace be upon him), as well as walking four times between the hills of Safa and Marwah to commemorate Hajar’s search for water for her son.

The King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center for Eid al-Adha

In line with the spirit of charity during Eid al-Adha, the King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center in Saudi Arabia distributes sacrificial meat to the needy around the world. In 2024, the center distributed over 7,000 sheep, providing more than 84,000 portions of meat during the three days following Eid. This relief effort is carried out in partnership with several charity organizations that help prepare and package meat for eligible recipients in over 27 Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and Pakistan.

Muslims Are the Most Charitable People in the World

According to the Charities Aid Foundation, the global giving index shows that 4.2 billion people volunteered time or donated money to a good cause in 2023. Muslims, in particular, are known for their charitable spirit. They believe that if they are blessed by Allah, they have an obligation to share those blessings with the less fortunate. Charitable acts are also seen as following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was generous toward others.

Islam mandates an obligatory charity known as Zakat, which amounts to 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth and income. In addition to Zakat, Muslims are encouraged to give voluntary charity, known as Sadaqah, throughout the year. Collectively, Zakat alone is estimated to generate roughly $600 billion annually on a global scale, making it a significant source of charitable funding worldwide.

The Charities Aid Foundation also reports that Indonesia is the most generous country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, with nine out of ten Indonesians donating money to charity, and six out of ten dedicating their time to helping others.

In the United States, Muslim Americans contribute nearly $2 billion annually through Zakat. Furthermore, Pakistan is among the most charitable countries, contributing more than 1% of its GDP to charity, a proportion that is comparable to wealthier nations like the UK (1.3% of GDP) and Canada (1.2% of GDP), and nearly double the amount that India contributes as a percentage of its GDP.