Eid al-Fitr 2023 (End of Ramadan): Date, Holiday, History and Significance

Eid al-Fitr 2023 (on April 22): Eid al-Fitr is an important religious festival of Muslims and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Muslims all over the world. This days marks the first day of the month of Shawwal, tenth month as per the Islamic Calendar and also marks the end of month-long fasting of Ramadan. It is also called as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’ and marks the beginning of a feast.

On the day of this festival, people express their gratitude to Allah for providing the strength to carry out one month fast and abstinence from bad habits. The festival of Eid al-Fitr lasts for one to three days, varying from one country to another. This article provides complete details related to Eid al-Fitr 2023 such as its history, celebration, significance and much more.

Eid al-Fitr 2023 Overview

Eid al-Fitr 2023 Date

The date of Eid al-Fitr is always the same as per the Islamic calendar (lunar). However in Gregorian calendar (solar), it keeps changing and every year it falls approximately 11 days earlier than the previous year. Since the date of Eid depends on the sighting of the moon, variations in the date occurs and the festival is therefore celebrated around the world on different dates.

Calculated according to the Islamic calendar, in the upcoming year, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in India on April 22, 2023, Tuesday. In case any variation is observed in the date of Eid al-Fitr due to sighting of the moon, the date will be updated here accordingly.

Holiday on Eid al-Fitr 2023

Eid al-Fitr 2023 will be celebrated on April 22, 2023 and there will be a government holiday observed in different states of India on this day. All the public offices as well as schools and banks will remain close on this day.

Many private offices too will either mark this day or holiday or can provide restricted holiday to their Muslim employees. Shops, markets, etc in Muslim regions are normally closed or have reduced opening hours.

History of Eid al-Fitr Festival

It is believed that this festival was started by Islamic prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina when he found people celebrating, entertaining and feasting. He stated that two days of festivities has already been decided by the Almighty that are far better as compared to any other festivities.

These two days came to be celebrated as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Fitr Significance

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated after one month of fasting of Ramadan. During the period of Ramadan, people refrain from eating and drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Other than this, people also abstain themselves from evil thoughts or actions and try to get rid of their bad habits altogether.

Since the Muslims observe the one-month long fast with utmost devotion, they observe Eid al-Fitr when they treat themselves with great food, nice clothes and celebrates the day with their friends and family. Eid al-Fitr is the only day in the month of Shawwal on which Muslims are not permitted to fast.

Check Islamic Calendar

Eid al-Fitr Rituals

The Eid al-Fitr festival starts at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. In case due to any reason like cloudy weather or bright sky, the moon does not becomes visible, then the festival is celebrated the next day. On the day of Eid al-Fitr, people are forbidden from observing a fast. They celebrate the day with feasting which begins after offering the specific prayer related to Eid al-Fitr.

There also a custom to perform some donation or charity work and therefore people donate food and money to the poor and hungry. Donations are generally made before conducting the specific prayer.

Eid al-Fitr 2023 Celebration

People get up early in the morning and put on new clothes after taking a bath. On the day of Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic prayer, known as salat, consisting to two units is performed generally in an open field or large hall like a mosque or community center. Blessings and forgiveness is sought from Allah for all the sins committed knowingly and unknowingly.

Once the prayer is over, people visit their friends’ and relatives’ houses and gather together for a big merriment. People eat together the special feast prepared especially for the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and exchange gifts with each other.

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