Muslim Holidays

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Major Muslim Holidays: A Complete Overview

Most Muslims around the world celebrate several significant holidays that fulfill important religious, spiritual, and cultural needs in Islam. Each holiday is associated with the Islamic faith, often commemorating key events in the life of the Prophet Muhammad, revelations of the Qur'an, or traditions within the Islamic community.

 

Eid-al-Fitr

The Arabic word Eid al-Fitr means "Festival of Breaking the Fast." It is one of the two major religious observances in Islam. It is a holiday marking the end of Ramadan, which is the holy month wherein the Muslims fast. Eid is a time of celebration in honor of thanks to Allah for giving them strength to go through the fast and grow spiritually during Ramadan.

 

Major Practices

Fasting: That is the month when Muslims keep themselves away from food, drink, and all those things that cater to other physical needs of life from dawn to sunset.

Zakat al-Fitr-Charity: Before offering the Eid prayers, every Muslim is obliged to pay a particular type of charity known as "Zakat al-Fitr" which is distributed among needy people.

Prayer: In large congregations, a special prayer is performed in mosques and open areas during Eid-al-Fitr.

Celebration: This is time to be with family, feasting, gifting, dressing up in new clothes. A joyous moment, community time, and time for retrospection regarding the past experiences of the month of fasting.

 

Example

In Turkey, Eid-al-Fitr is marked with grand public prayers combined with visiting family and friends and traditional desserts such as baklava and sema.

 

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice." The occasion celebrates the Prophet Ibrahim-which, in English, is Abraham-and his adherence to the Will of Allah in sacrificing his son Isma'il, that is, Ishmael. He was ready to sacrifice his son for Allah until Allah called him to let him know that he needed to sacrifice the ram instead of his son. It is intended to celebrate obedience, faith, and sacrifice that one makes to serve an interest overriding one's own.

 

Major Practices

Sacrifice One of the central practices is that well-off Muslims sacrifice an animal, sheep, goat, cow, or camel. It is divided into three shares: a third to the family, a third to relatives, and a third to needy people.

Prayer It only just gets underway with a prayer, just like Eid al-Fitr; this too is called Salat al-Eid.

Pilgrimage: Eid-al-Adha falls on the last day of Hajj to Mecca, one of the five basic tenets of Islam. Most people who perform this Hajj participate in the feast of Eid-al-Adha in Mecca. Therefore, it is incredibly special and holy.

 

Example

In Saudi Arabia, millions of Muslims go on a pilgrimage known as the Hajj and sacrifice animals. The meat is shared in order to feed needy people around the world.

 

Ramadan

Although not a holiday, per se, Ramadan is surely among the most important times in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for fasting, prayers, reflection, and congregational worship; it also falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

 

Key Practices

Fasting: Sawm cast the Muslims out from food, drink, and other physical needs from morning to sunset. This act teaches self-discipline and sympathy for the poor and brings them closer to Allah.

Night Prayers: Special night prayers called Taraweeh are offered during Ramadan. The prayers take longer time as parts of the Qur'an are being recited.

Charity (Zakat): Most charity is given in Ramadan by Muslims and Zakat which is obligatory is paid this month to help people in need.

 

Example

Ramadan in Egypt involves many night events. Commonly, after having fast, families and friends come together for iftar comprising kosher and qamar al-din.

 

Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)

Islamic New Year is the first day of the Islamic calendar year. It ushers in the Hijra migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 Common Era. Since the Islamic calendar is purely lunar, the date varies each year.

 

Key Practices

Reflection and prayer are practiced by Muslims in thought of the passing year, and in prayer for spiritual re-dedication of one's pledge to Allah.

Community Events: Some countries hold special prayers for the occasion, others mark it in subdued tones with a lot of personal contemplation.

 

Example

Islamic New Year is celebrated with public prayers in Indonesia, and members of the family are united in feasting. Traditional delicacies are prepared en masse, such as ketupat or rice cakes and rendang.

 

Mawlid al-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad)

The birth of the Prophet Muhammad falls on every 12th day of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. It is not observed by all Muslims, but a large number of Muslim communities celebrate in commemoration of the life and teachings of the Great Prophet.

 

Key Practices

Poem recitation and praise singing are undertaken in many communities wherein Muslims gather together to recite poems and sing praises relating to the life of the Prophet.

Public Sermons and Lectures: Religious heads make sermons on the life, works, and contributions of the Prophet towards Islam.

Feasting and Charity: Food is distributed amongst neighbors and poorer sections in some regions, and special dishes are prepared on this occasion.

 

Example

Mawlid al-Nabi is celebrated with grand processions, hymns in praise of the Prophet, and distribution of food among the poorer sections of the people.

 

Lailat al-Miraj ‌‌‌‌ (The Night of Ascension)

Lailat al-Miraj ushers in the commemoration of that night when Holy Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. This was the time he was taken from Mecca to Jerusalem, known as Isra, then heaven itself, Miraj, where he received instructions from Allah about five daily prayers.

 

Key Practices

Vigil and Prayers: Besides the routine supplications, dua, and listening to the Qur'an, Muslims can pass the night offering prayers and invoking Allah.

It is a deep reflection of the night in the Prophet's journey and understanding of the five daily prayers.

 

Example

In Egypt for instance, mosques fill with worshipers that offer special prayers and hold recitations of the Holy Qur'an to commemorate this event.

 

Lailat al-Qadr: (The Night of Power)

Lailat al-Qadr is holier to Muslims than any other night of the year. It commemorates that night when the Angel Jibril or Gabriel first revealed the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. Lailat al-Qadr falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the 27th night in particular being the most in view.

 

Key Practices

Additional Prayers: Prayers are considered especially potent if said on this night, and the night is considered one of forgiveness.

Atonement of Sins: Most Muslims receive additional credit to their good books by showing repentance and praying for forgiveness through Allah's mercy.

 

Example

In Pakistan, Lailat al-Qadr is celebrated with overnight vigil prayer by reciting the Qur'an in mosques. The events that also occur on this night are congregational supplications combined with special pre-dawn meals.

 

These are only some of the most meaningful holidays to Muslims concerning adoration, reflection, and community building that lie at the heart of Islamic life. Each holiday has something different: gratitude and celebration on Eid al-Fitr, and spiritual significance on Lailat al-Qadr. Even among the many cultures and traditions of Muslims, who might celebrate these holidays in their particular ways, faith, charity, and reflection are the same in the Muslim world.