Islamic holidays

 ( Religious Holidays ) 

There are two main holidays in Islam that are celebrated by 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. Conversely, the Day of Arafah, the day before Eid al-Adha, is the holiest day of the Islamic year.

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 prayer (Juma) are congregational prayers held in , 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.

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Holidays 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.

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Religious practices

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Fasting 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.

Aslan Reza (2025). 9780385739757, Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385739757

Fasting is considered a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in God.

Aloian Molly. (2025). 9780778742852, Crabtree. . ISBN 9780778742852

Those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, and children are exempt from fasting. Travelers, and women who are menstruating or nursing a baby, are exempt from fasting but are required to fast later.

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Pilgrimage

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Umrah

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Hajj

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Eid

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Dates of holidays and other days of note The Islamic calendar is based on the orbital period of the Lunar phase around the Earth, approximately 29 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.

1 Muḥarram	26th June 2025
9 Muharram	4th July 2025
10 Muḥarram	5th July 2025
20 or 21 Ṣafar	14th or 15th August 2025
Last Wednesday of Ṣafar	20th August 2025
9 Rabī‘ al-Awwal	1st September 2025
12 Rabī‘ al-Awwal	4th September 2025
19 Rabī‘ al-Awwal	11th September 2025
1 Rajab	21st December 2025
2 Rajab	22nd December 2026
13 Rajab	2nd January 2026
26 Rajab or 27 Rajab	15th or 16th January 2026
15 Sha‘bān	3rd February 2026
15 Sha‘bān	3rd February 2026
1 Ramaḍān	18th February 2026
21, 23, 25, 27, or 29 Ramaḍān	10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th March 2026
Last Friday in the month of Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr	13th March 2026
29 or 30 Ramaḍān	18th or 19th March 2026
1 Shawwāl	20th March 2026
8–13 Dhū al-Ḥijja	25th - 30th May 2026
9 Dhū al-Ḥijja	26th May 2026
10 Dhū al-Ḥijja	27th May 2026
18 Dhū al-Ḥijja	4th June 2026
24 Dhū al-Ḥijja	10th June 2026

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Notes

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Further reading

• 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.

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External links

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

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