In the Muslim world and faith, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is a time of celebration, seen as a gift to believers for their time spent in devotion to Allah (SWT), immersing themselves in acts of worship for a month to please Him and earn rewards.
It is held to be a time for Muslims to spread joy in their families and communities, be grateful for their blessings and come together in celebration. This stands in stark contrast to the fasting, reflection and spiritual growth and study that has been the focus of the previous month. After a time of personal challenge and spiritual focus, Muslims come together with loved ones and friends. This special festival – Eid – is also marked with special acts of faith, in the form of prayers and giving charity - Zakat al-Fitr – so those in need can be part of the celebrations.
As Eid al-Fitr 2026 will soon be here, it’s important to understand and remember the importance of this time, and why celebrating Eid al-Fitr happens in the Islamic calendar. Here at Emaan Relief, we strive to ensure that everyone, no matter their financial situation or background, can celebrate Eid al-Fitr. We mean that both spiritually and materially – so this blog will lay out the importance, meaning and practices of Eid al-Fitr, so everyone can embody the spirit of this special time. And with our appeals and your Zakat, we can bring the joy of Eid al-Fitre 2026 to even those without basic necessities. See how you can help those in desperate need and help them join in the celebrations with nutritious meals and hope for a brighter future.
The importance of Eid al-Fitr is rooted in the earliest parts of Islamic history and the faith’s spiritual story. The holy month of Ramadan was when the message of Allah (SWT) - the Quran – was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allah (SWT) decreed that Ramadan should be a spiritual and moral test for Muslims, in order that they could draw closer to Him at this time of year. The Prophet (PBUH) decided to mark the end of this month, the sacred test and the time of the first revelations with a festival, which became Eid al-Fitr.
This festival would show gratitude to Allah (SWT) for granting the strength and patience to complete the fast. Muhammad (PBUH) also encouraged his followers to treat this as a joyous time, coming together to make up with each other for any wrongdoings or grudges and inspiring each other with peace.
This is the origin of Eid al-Fitr, and why it is so significance to Muslims. And it is this intention and spirit that all Muslims should embody at this time of year.
This is the importance of Eid al-Fitr - what the occasion symbolises. The practical and physical aspects of the festival in the world are symbolic of a greater spiritual principle. At Eid al-Fitr we have a time of great joy and abundance in contrast to, and as a reward for, a month of going without, challenge and serious reflection. It is a reward to believers for completing the month of fasting and time spent in worship. And that represents the greater aspects of a Muslim’s spiritual journey and their relationship with Allah (SWT) - obeying and embodying faith, forgoing short-term gains and pleasures and overcoming challenges leads to the bliss of the afterlife.
The festival of Eid al-Fitr also symbolises the significance of remembering Allah (SWT). This is why the most important part of Eid is the Eid Salah, which is a prayer in congregation with the Muslim community that thanks Allah (SWT).
Although it is a time of celebration and marks the end of Ramadan, with its focus on spiritual matters and worship, Eid al-Fitr still keeps Muslims focused on acts of devotion. The occasion includes various forms, such as prayer, charity and reflection. This means that, even though it is a celebration, it is also a reminder of Allah’s mercy and generosity. Muslims are encouraged to spend time during Eid remembering Allah (SWT), as well as in any other occasion, which is stated in a hadith:
“If anyone finds pleasure in receiving an answer from God in times of difficulty, he should make many supplications when times are easy” (Tirmidhi, Mishkat al-Masabih 2240]
The term Eid al-Fitr means “The Festival of Breaking the Fast”, because it marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims are required to fast each year. In contrast, Eid al-Fitr is a time when fasting is prohibited, and everyone reflects on their spiritual success and has gratitude to Allah (SWT) for their blessings in life and the ability to get through the past month with patience.
After a month of devotion to Allah (SWT) and abstaining from eating and drinking in the daylight hours, Eid al-Fitr is a reward for Muslims' efforts. It is a welcoming break from utter devotion to allow believers to enjoy themselves and indulge in the blessings that they temporarily gave up during the month. The celebration is well-earned, and it begins Muslims' new spiritual journey that has been strengthened, marking a fresh start to continue connecting to Allah (SWT) and working on strengthening their faith.
Many wonder “when is Eid al-Fitr in 2026?” This is because the date can vary due to the Islamic calendar being based on the lunar cycle. This means that every year, Eid al-Fitr occurs at a different time of the year in the Gregorian calendar, so it’s important for Muslims to know when the festivities begin to be prepared to enjoy the celebration and reward themselves for their dedication. Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to begin on the 20th March, depending on the sighting of the moon that marks the beginning of the new month. It is best to consult your local mosque nearer the time to confirm what day Eid will fall on in your region.
Another common question for this festival is, “How long does Eid al-Fitr last?”. This is due to having two Eids in the Islamic calendar that can last for different lengths of time, especially in Muslim countries. However, Eid al-Fitr 2026 in the UK will last for one day, and it will begin on the first day of the month of Shawwal. Eid will be kickstarted with the Eid prayer and all Muslims will come together to enjoy delicious dishes since fasting is forbidden on this day. In many Muslim countries, the Eid celebrations can last up to three days, and they are usually public holidays, unlike in the UK.
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr comes in many forms and it all depends on what families have planned for the big day. However, Muslims usually visit their family and friends to share food, conversation and gifts with each other. They will greet each other with the phrase “Eid Mubarak”, which means blessed Eid. Typically, love is spread and shared with each other in the form of hugs, creating an atmosphere of goodwill and unity. Many believers will travel to and from relatives' houses, where they will enjoy each other’s company and indulge in delicious dishes. They will also come together with their local community to share their celebrations with the ummah and friends and allies of the ummah. A lot of feasts are held in public places, like a park or community centre, to welcome all to the celebrations and unite communities through conversation and meals.
Alongside this, the day is filled with specific rituals that Muslims observe to show how grateful they are for their blessings to Allah (SWT). These guide Muslims on what to do during the day of celebration, alongside acts of worship, celebrating with loved ones and other activities. The rituals that must be completed on the day are:
There are specific dua for Eid al-Fitr that believers recite on the day of celebration. When Muslims meet each other on the day, they give each other the following dua:
“Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.”
“May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.”
Other encouraged words to be said on the festival of Eid al-Fitr are the words of Takbir or the glorification of Allah (SWT). The following words must be recited:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allah Akbar, wa Lillah il-hamd.”
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah be all praise.”
A part of celebrating Eid al-Fitr is the tradition of Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana). This is a mandatory form of giving that every Muslim, including children, should pay before the Eid prayer. This is a donation of money or food that will help to feed someone in need on Eid. The price of this donation is one ‘saa’ (3kg) of a common staple food in your country. Muslims can pay the monetary equivalent in their local currency, which equates to around £6 of staple food supplies in the UK.
This amount applies to each person, including children, which means a family of 4 is expected to pay around £24.
As Muslims await Eid al-Fitr 2026 in the UK and worldwide, it is important to partake in charitable activities, such as donating Zakat and Fitrana. At Emaan Relief, we can take Zakat contributions and Fitrana contributions and distribute essential supplies to those most in need. We ensure that every penny of your donation reaches the needy, helping to transform their lives for the better and helping them escape poverty.
