Eid al-Fitr – the Festival of Breaking the Fast – is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal and marks the end of Ramadan. It is one of the two annual festivals of the Islamic calendar (the other being Eid al-Adha), and it is the joyful counterpart to the discipline and worship of the month of fasting.

The Qur’an instructs believers to glorify Allah at the completion of the fast: “[He wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185). The Eid takbir – Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illa Allah… – is recited from sunset on the last day of Ramadan until the Eid prayer.

Eid begins with a communal prayer in the morning, performed in two rakats with additional takbirs, ideally in an open space outside the regular masjid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to walk to the prayer ground by one route and return by another, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. Before the prayer, every Muslim of means must pay Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of themselves and their dependents, so that the poor can also share in the joy of the day (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Fasting on the day of Eid al-Fitr is prohibited. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly forbade fasting on the two Eids: “The Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on two days: the day of al-Fitr and the day of al-Adha.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This prohibition extends through the day of Eid; in practice, the celebration often continues for two or three days.

Customary observances include the ghusl (full ritual washing), wearing one’s best clothes, eating something sweet (often dates) before the Eid prayer, visiting family and neighbors, exchanging gifts, and giving generously to the poor. The day is, above all, an expression of gratitude for the strength to complete Ramadan and a celebration of the community Allah has joined together.