Islamic holidays

Holidays in Islam

Eid celebration in Sholakia, Bangladesh. The largest Eid congregation. Part of a series on

Islam

Beliefs

* Oneness of God

* Angels
* Holy books

* Prophets
* Judgement Day

* Predestination

Practices

* Profession of faith
* Prayer

* Almsgiving
* Fasting
* Pilgrimage

* Texts
* Foundations

* Quran
* Sunnah (Hadith, Sirah)

* Tafsir (exegesis)
* Ijtihad
* Aqidah (creed)
* Qisas al-Anbiya (Stories of the Prophets)
* Mathnawi (poems)

* Fiqh (jurisprudence)
* Sharia (law)

History

* Timeline
* Jahiliyyah
* Muhammad
* Ahl al-Bayt
* Sahabah
* Rashidun
* Caliphate
* Imamate
* Spread of Islam
* Succession to Muhammad
* Abbasid Caliphate
* Al-Andalus
* Golden Age
* Seljuk Empire
* Ilkhanate
* Timurid Renaissance
* Gunpowder empires
* Ottoman Empire
* Saudi Arabia

Culture and society

* Academics
* Animals
* Art
* Association football
* Calendar
* Cats
* Censorship
* Children
* Circumcision
* Democracy
* Demographics
* Diaspora
* Denominations
* Sunni
* Shia
* Ibadi
* Economics
* Education
* Ethics
* Exorcism
* Feminism
* Festivals
* Finance
* Liberalism
* Madrasa
* Moral teachings
* Mosque
* Music
* Mysticism
* Philosophy
* Poetry
* Politics
* Proselytizing
* Science
* Sexuality
* LGBTQ
* Slavery
* Concubinage
* Social welfare
* Women

Related topics

* Arabic language
* Apostasy
* Criticism
* Muhammad
* Quran
* Hadith

* Other religions
* Islamism
* Violence
* terrorism
* war
* Islamophobia
* Jihad
* Jihadism
* Salafi jihadism
* Deobandi jihadism
* Military laws
* Peace
* Pacifism
* Glossary

* Islam portal

* v
* t
* e

There are two main holidays in Islam that are celebrated by Muslims worldwide: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The timing of both holidays are set by the lunar Islamic calendar, which is based upon the cycle of the moon, and so is different from the more common, European, solar-based Gregorian calendar. Every year, the Gregorian dates of the Islamic holidays change.

Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow a period of 10 holy days or nights: the last 10 nights of Ramadan for Eid al-Fitr, and the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah for Eid al-Adha. The Night of Power (Arabic: لیلة القدر, romanized: Laylat al-Qadr), one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, is the holiest night of the year.[citation needed] Conversely, the Day of Arafah, the day before Eid al-Adha, is the holiest day of the Islamic year.[citation needed]

There are a number of other days of note as well as festivals, some common to all Muslims, others specific to Shia Islam or branches thereof.

Additionally, Friday is considered the holiest day of the week, and, in Islamic tradition, is considered a celebration in itself. Friday prayers (Juma) are congregational prayers held in mosques, and Muslims are encouraged to wear clean and refined clothes, perfume, and bathe. It is customary to eat special meals with family on this day.

## Holidays

[edit]

Main articles: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims may perform acts of zakat (charity) on the occasion, which begins after the new moon is sighted for the beginning of the month of Shawwal. Celebration begins with prayers on the morning of 1 Shawwal, followed by breakfast, and often celebratory meals throughout the day.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, when the Hajj pilgrimage takes place which lasts for four days. Muslims may perform an act of zakat and friendship by slaughtering a sheep or cow and distributing the meat to family, friends, and the poor. Muslims are also encouraged to be especially friendly and reach out to one another during this period.[1]

## Religious practices

[edit]

### Fasting

[edit]

The Fanoos, a lantern used in homes, mosques and streets during Ramadan

Main article: Ramadan

Muslims celebrate when they believe the Quran was first revealed to Muhammed by fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.[2] Fasting is considered a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in God.[3] Those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, and children are exempt from fasting.[4] Travelers, and women who are menstruating or nursing a baby, are exempt from fasting but are required to fast later.[5]

### Pilgrimage

[edit]

#### Umrah

[edit]

Main article: Umrah

#### Hajj

[edit]

Main article: Hajj

#### Eid

[edit]

Main article: Eid al-Adha

## Dates of holidays and other days of note

[edit]

The Islamic calendar is based on the synodic period of the Moon's revolution around the Earth, approximately 291⁄2 days. The Islamic calendar alternates months of 29 and 30 days (which begin with the new moon). Twelve of these months make up an Islamic year, which is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Some Gregorian dates may vary slightly from those given, and may also vary by country. See Islamic calendar.[6][7][8]

Holiday Name | Hijri Date, 1447 AH  | Gregorian Date, 2025-26

|
|

Islamic New Year | 1 Muḥarram  | 26th June 2025
Tasu'a[a] | 9 Muharram  | 4th July 2025
Ashura | 10 Muḥarram  | 5th July 2025
Arbaʽeen[a] | 20 or 21 Ṣafar[b] | 14th or 15th August 2025
Akhiri Chahar Shambah[c] | Last Wednesday of Ṣafar  | 20th August 2025
Eid-e-Shuja' (Eid-e-Zahra)[d] | 9 Rabī‘ al-Awwal  | 1st September 2025
Mawlid an-Nabī
(Birthday of Muhammad)[e] | 12 Rabī‘ al-Awwal  | 4th September 2025
Baptism of Muhammad[f] | 19 Rabī‘ al-Awwal  | 11th September 2025
Beginning the Three Holy Months | 1 Rajab  | 21st December 2025
Laylat al-Raghaib | 2 Rajab  | 22nd December 2026
Birthday of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib[a] | 13 Rajab | 2nd January 2026
Laylat al-Mi'raj | 26 Rajab or 27 Rajab[g] | 15th or 16th January 2026
Laylat al-Bara'at | 15 Sha‘bān  | 3rd February 2026
Birthday of Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdī[d] | 15 Sha‘bān  | 3rd February 2026
First day of Ramaḍān | 1 Ramaḍān  | 18th February 2026
Laylat al-Qadr | 21, 23, 25, 27, or 29 Ramaḍān[h] | 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th March 2026
Jumu'atul-Wida | Last Friday in the month of Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr  | 13th March 2026
Chaand Raat[i] | 29 or 30 Ramaḍān[j] | 18th or 19th March 2026
Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwāl  | 20th March 2026
Hajj | 8–13 Dhū al-Ḥijja  | 25th - 30th May 2026
Day of Arafah | 9 Dhū al-Ḥijja  | 26th May 2026
Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhū al-Ḥijja  | 27th May 2026
Eid al-Ghadeer[a] | 18 Dhū al-Ḥijja  | 4th June 2026
Eid al-Mubahalah[a] | 24 Dhū al-Ḥijja  | 10th June 2026

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Primarily observed by Shias.
2. ^ Observed 40 days after Ashura.
3. ^ Primarily observed by Muslims in Iran and Indian subcontinent.
4. ^ a b Primarily observed by Twelver Shias.
5. ^ Not observed by Wahhabis, Deobandis and Ahl-i-Hadith
6. ^ Mostly observed in the Sahel
7. ^ There is some disagreement about this date; see Isra and Mi'raj.
8. ^ Most often observed on 23 Ramaḍān by Shias and 27 Ramaḍān by Sunnis; see Laylat al-Qadr.
9. ^ Primarily observed in South Asia.
10. ^ Observed on the last evening of Ramaḍān; see Chaand Raat.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ الشحيمي, محمد (2014). العيد فرحة وآداب. دبي، الامارات العربية المتحدة: دائرة الشؤون الإسلامية والعمل الخيري. ISBN 978-9948-499-99-2.
2. ^ Reza, Aslan (2011). No god but God : the origins and evolution of Islam (1st ed.). New York: Delacorte Press. pp. 118–119\. ISBN 9780385739757. OCLC 614990718.
3. ^ Molly., Aloian (2009). Ramadan. New York: Crabtree. ISBN 978-0778742852. OCLC 227911610.
4. ^ "Ramadan and Diabetes" (PDF). Muslim Council of Britain. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
5. ^ "What are Missed Fasts in Islam and Who Has to Make Them Up?". Islamic Relief. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. ^ "Islamic Calendar". IslamicFinder. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
7. ^ "Special Islamic Days". IslamicFinder. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
8. ^ "Important Islamic Dates in 2026". Dua Travels. Retrieved 16 July 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Leaman, Oliver, "Festivals of Love", in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 vols.), Edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 2014, Vol I, pp. 197–199.

## External links

[edit]

* The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia (with date converter valid from 1937 to 2077)

* v
* t
* e

Eid

Festivals|

* Eid al-Adha
* Eid al-Fitr

Topics|

* Eid cuisine
* Eid Mubarak
* Eid prayers
* Eidgah
* Eidi (gift)
* Gargee'an
* Lebaran
* Qaranqasho

* v
* t
* e

Islamic holidays and observances

The two Eids|

* Eid al-Fitr
* Eid al-Adha

Other holidays and observances|

* Day of Arafah
* Day of Ashura
* Islamic New Year
* Arbaʽeen1
* Mawlid
* Laylat al-Raghaib
* Isra' and Mi'raj
* Mid-Sha'ban
* Ramadan
* Laylat al-Qadr
* Al-'Ashr al-Awakher
* Saviours' Day2
* Eid al-Ghadir1
* Mubahala1
* Promised Messiah Day3
* Promised Reformer Day3
* Caliphate Day3

* 1 Shia Muslim only
* 2 Nation of Islam only
* 3 Ahmadi Muslim only

* v
* t
* e

Ramadan

Obligations|

* Moon sighting
* Fasting in Islam
* Fasting during Ramadan
* Zakat al-Fitr
* Fidyah and Kaffara

Meals|

* Suhur
* Iftar
* Iftar party
* Dates
* Iftar Cannon

Prayers and observances|

* Tarawih
* Iʿtikāf
* Al-'Ashr al-Awakher
* Jumu'atul-Wida
* Laylat al-Jaiza
* Eid al-Fitr
* Qadr Night

Ramadan culture|

* Chaand Raat
* Gargee'an
* Mheibes
* Ramadan tent
* Qaranqasho

Ramadan by country|

| Africa|

* Algeria
* Egypt
* Fanous
* Fawazeer Ramadan
* Morocco
* South Africa
* Nigeria

|

Asia|

* Afghanistan
* Pakistan
* Jeeto Pakistan League
* Ramadan T20 Cup
* Indonesia
* Belimau
* Sahur on the Road: Id
* Russia
* Saudi Arabia
* India
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Maahefun
* Maskurolhi
* United Arab Emirates

Europe|

* Turkey
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* France
* United Kingdom
* Ramadan Rush
* Germany

Americas|

* United States
* Fast-a-Thon
* Canada
* Brazil
* Argentina

Oceania|

* Australia
* Lakemba Nights
* New Zealand

* v
* t
* e

Islam topics

Outline of Islam

| Beliefs|

* God in Islam
* Allah
* Tawhid
* Muhammad
* In Islam
* Prophets of Islam
* Angels
* Revelation
* Qadar
* Judgement Day
* Holiest sites

|

Five Pillars|

* Shahada
* Salah
* Sawm
* Zakat
* Hajj

* History
* Leaders

* Timeline of the history of Islam
* Succession to Muhammad
* Early conquests
* Golden Age
* Historiography
* Sahaba
* Ahl al-Bayt
* Shi'a Imams
* Caliphates
* Rashidun
* Umayyad
* Abbasid
* Córdoba
* Fatimid
* Almohad
* Sokoto
* Ottoman

Religious texts|

* Quran
* Hadith
* Tafsir
* Seerah
* Story of Prophets

Denominations|

* Sunni
* Ash'arism
* Atharism
* Maturidism
* Mu'tazili
* Salafi
* Wahhabism
* Sufi
* Shia
* Twelver Shi'ism
* Isma'ilism
* Alawites
* Alevism
* Bektashi Alevism
* Zaydism
* Muhakkima/Khawarij
* Azariqa
* Moderate Kharijites
* Ibadi
* Azzabas
* Nukkari
* Wahbi
* Sufri
* Najdat
* Nation of Islam
* Ahmadiyya
* Lahori
* Quranism
* Non-denominational

* Life
* Culture

* Animals
* Art
* Association football
* Calendar
* Children
* Clothing
* Flags
* Holidays
* Mosques
* Madrasas
* Moral teachings
* Music
* Peace
* Pacifism
* Philosophy
* Political aspects
* Democracy
* Petro-Islam
* Liberalism and progressivism
* Qurbani
* Science
* Social welfare
* Women
* LGBT
* Islam by country

* Law
* Jurisprudence

| Economics|

* Banking
* Economic history
* Sukuk
* Takaful
* Murabaha
* Riba

|

Hygiene|

* Ghusl
* Miswak
* Najis
* Tayammum
* Toilet
* Wudu

* Family
* Marriage
* Sex

* Haya
* Marriage contract
* Mahr
* Mahram
* Nikah
* Nikah mut'ah
* Zina

Other aspects|

* Baligh
* Cleanliness
* Criminal
* Violence
* Domestic violence
* Islamic extremism
* Islamic terrorism
* Apostasy
* Blasphemy
* Death penalty
* Dhabiĥa
* Dhimmi
* Divorce
* Diet
* Ethics
* Etiquette
* Gambling
* Gender segregation
* Honorifics
* Hudud
* Inheritance
* Jizya
* Leadership
* Ma malakat aymanukum
* Military
* POWs
* Slavery
* Sources of law
* Theological
* Kalam
* Schools of islamic jurisprudence

Islamic studies

| Arts|

* Arabesque
* Architecture
* Calligraphy
* Carpets
* Gardens
* Geometric patterns
* Music
* Pottery

|

Medieval science|

* Alchemy and chemistry
* Astronomy
* Cosmology
* Geography and cartography
* Mathematics
* Medicine
* Ophthalmology
* Physics

Philosophy|

* Early
* Contemporary
* Eschatology
* Theological

Other areas|

* Astrology
* Creationism (evolution)
* Feminism
* Inventions
* Literature
* poetry
* Psychology
* Shu'ubiyya
* Conversion to mosques

Other

| Other religions|

* Christianity
* Catholicism
* Mormonism
* Protestantism
* Druzism
* Hinduism
* Jainism
* Judaism
* Sikhism

|

Apostasy|

* Apostasy in Islam by country
* Ex-Muslims
* List of former Muslims
* List of ex-Muslim organisations

Related topics|

* Criticism of Islam
* Muhammad
* Quran
* Cultural Muslim
* Islamism
* Criticism
* Post-Islamism
* Qutbism
* Islamophobia
* Islamic view of miracles
* Nursing
* Persecution of Muslims
* Minority Muslim
* Sectarian
* Quran and miracles
* Symbolism

* Islam portal
* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* FAST

National|

* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic
* Spain
* Latvia
* Sweden

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template