Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the most important holidays for Muslims, symbolizing the end of the holy month of Ramadan. What needs to be done on the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, how many days are left until Eid al-Fitr 2024, as well as in which regions of Russia it has become a day off, we tell you in the material 78.ru.
The day on which Eid al-Fitr is celebrated is calculated according to the lunar calendar. It depends on when the holy month of Muslim fasting, Ramadan, begins and ends. In 2024, according to the official decision of Muslim leaders, Ramadan began on March 10 at sunset and ends on April 9. Thus, the answer to the question how many days is Ramadan 2024 is 30 days.
Eid al-Fitr 2024 will begin when the fast of Ramadan ends. It actually falls on two days, April 9th and 10th. It begins to be celebrated on the night of April 9-10, and the main festive events will take place during the day on April 10 – the first day of the new moon.
It is interesting that in different countries the duration of Eid al-Adha is different – in some places it lasts one day, and in others it lasts three. In some countries, if a holiday falls in the middle of the week, it may extend into the weekend. This is also practiced in Russia: regional leaders allocate one or two days for the holiday so that believers can prepare for it.
Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the most ancient in the Islamic tradition, second in importance after Kurban Bayram, the Festival of Sacrifice (in 2024 it falls on June 16). According to legend, it was installed in 624 by the Prophet Muhammad himself as a symbol of the end of the Ramadan fast. Eid al-Adha is celebrated by all Muslims, regardless of their sect – both Shiites and Sunnis.
Фото: Bulkin Sergey/globallookpress.com
The holiday has other names – for example, in Arabic it is called Eid al-Fitr, which means “the holiday of breaking the fast.” The name Uraza Bayram, which is familiar to Russia, also means the same thing – it comes from the Persian “ruza” (fast) and “bayram” (holiday).
The holiday quickly spread along with Islam, starting from the 7th century, when the formation of the so-called Arab Caliphate began – a Muslim state that emerged as a result of the Arab conquests. It included the states of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the territories of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Spain, Portugal and others. In all these countries, with the advent of Islam, Eid al-Adha began to be celebrated.
Ramadan is a time of very strict fasting: for 30 days, devout Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, and it is also forbidden to meet women during this time. You can only eat dry, low-fat food before sunrise and after sunset. Daytime should be devoted to work, prayers, reading the Koran and charity. Ramadan is the time when a person learns to curb his carnal desires and turns to God.
And Eid al-Adha is a holiday when you should thank Allah for this time, because Ramadan is an opportunity to experience divine blessing. That is why Muslims treat Eid al-Adha with reverence and carefully prepare for it.
There are two most famous traditions on Eid al-Adha. The first is greeting: Muslim believers congratulate each other when they meet with the phrase “Im mubarak!”, which means, translated, “I wish you a blessed holiday!”
Photo: City News Moscow/globallookpress.com
The second tradition established by the Prophet Muhammad is charity. On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the faithful pay a special alms – zakat ul-fitr, the amount of which in Russia is established by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation every year. So, in 2024, the amount of alms is at least 150 rubles (for the poor) and 1,200 rubles and above (for the wealthy). The amount is derived from calculating the average cost of food items such as dates, barley, wheat and raisins, which are mentioned in the hadith. Zakat ul-fitr should be paid only to those whose annual income exceeded the officially established amount – in 2024 this is 497 thousand rubles.
Zakat ul-Fitr can be paid either in money or in products, which are given to the Muslim community. On the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, all funds collected are transferred to the poor, sick people and those who find themselves in difficult life situations.
In addition, of course, holiday prayers are performed on Eid al-Fitr – Eid prayer, which begins early in the morning, half an hour after sunrise. This is a collective prayer, and believers try to perform it in mosques.
It is customary to prepare for Eid al-Adha in advance. A few days before the holiday, believers clean the house, restore order in it and the surrounding area, update dishes, interior items, and sometimes even furniture.
It is customary to spend the night of the holiday in prayers – according to the Koran, the one who does this will not die on Judgment Day. Then, before dawn, believers perform ablution, put on their best and most elegant clothes and go to the mosque for Eid prayer. After prayer, it is customary to visit cemeteries in order to restore order there and pray for the repose of the deceased.
Photo: City News Moscow/globallookpress.com
It is not customary to celebrate the holiday alone or in a small family circle: relatives are invited to the celebration, and then they themselves go to celebrate at their homes. According to legend, the more joyful it is to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the happier the next year will be.
The main decoration of Eid al-Fitr is a richly laid table. On this day, a wide variety of dishes are served – the only exceptions are foods and alcohol prohibited in Islam. According to tradition, it is customary to serve pilaf, as well as various traditional dishes, on Eid al-Fitr. In Tatarstan, this is a pie filled with meat and potatoes, balish, as well as fried meat pies peremyachi and closed multi-layer pies gubadiya. In Karachay-Cherkessia they serve khychin – a pie with potatoes and cheese. It is also customary to treat guests to a variety of sweets.
First of all, it is expressly forbidden to fast on Eid al-Fitr – this time has passed along with Ramadan; on Eid al-Fitr we need to celebrate the end of strict restrictions.
Traditionally, it is better to avoid on this day, as on any other, the use of tobacco and nicotine along with other things that can be harmful to health. Formally, you can smoke and sniff tobacco after the end of fasting, but you need to remember about your health. It is a big sin to celebrate Eid al-Adha with alcohol.
In addition, on this day it is forbidden to do household chores or work on the site, as well as work in principle – the day should be devoted only to the holiday.
It is also forbidden to use foul language or swear with friends and relatives.
Фото: Bulkin Sergey/globallookpress.com
Eid al-Fitr is an important holiday for Muslims, therefore in many countries that profess Islam, this day is considered a day off. Moreover, in some of them the holiday lasts for several days in a row.
Russia is no exception – in regions where the majority of the population traditionally professes Islam, Eid al-Adha is also considered a day off. Among them are Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria, Adygea, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia and Crimea.
At the same time, in different regions the number of holidays is different – it is established by the decision of local authorities. Thus, in honor of Eid al-Fitr 2024, April 10–12 are designated as holidays in Dagestan and Ingushetia, and April 9–11 in Chechnya. In Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea and Bashkortostan there is only one holiday – April 10. Tatarstan will also celebrate Eid al-Fitr 2024 with only one day off – April 10.
In Crimea, April 12 was declared a day off in connection with Eid al-Adha.
On the eve of all holidays, the official working day, according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, is shortened by one hour.
In congratulations on Eid al-Fitr, it is customary to wish for the mercy of the Almighty, family well-being and, of course, rich treats. For example, in prose you can congratulate like this:
“Today is the bright holiday of Eid al-Adha, and on this day I wish you the mercy of the Almighty, heartfelt joy and health. May your family live happily, may everyone’s soul be open to love. I wish that your faith only strengthens, your thoughts only become brighter, and your prosperity only multiplies. Happy holiday!”
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“On the holiday of Eid al-Adha, I sincerely wish you a pure thought, strong faith, good health, a rich table, a friendly family, sincere prayer, a happy heart, mutual love worthy of life. And may Allah send you bright hope, prosperity, grace.”
You can congratulate you on the holiday in verse – for example, like this:
Happy sacred day, I congratulate you
And from the bottom of my heart I wish
Help everyone in the area, feed the poor,
Respect friends and honor the Creator.
May the great Eid al-Fitr
The Almighty will give mercy to all of us!
Let love and comfort not leave the house,
Happiness and joy await everyone.
Photo: vdohnovenno.ru
Photo: vdohnovenno.ru
Photo: vdohnovenno.ru
Photo: vdohnovenno.ru
Photo: vdohnovenno.ru
Photo: social networks
Postcards in honor of Eid al-Fitr primarily depict religious symbols – mosques, crescents, and people during prayer. You can also find images of richly decorated tables filled with various dishes as a symbol of the end of Lent. In addition, flowers and various sweets are often depicted.
