Eid al-Fitr: How to use this Islamic holiday to connect with your Muslim friends

The Islamic month of Ramadan is coming to an end on March 19th. Muslims around the world will be celebrating the end of their month of fasting. They expectantly turn their eyes to Eid al-Fitr, which is three days of feasting and celebrating.

There are many special events for Muslims during Eid al-Fitr. This is also an open opportunity for Christians to love our Muslim neighbors during their special holiday and even start gospel conversations.

What is Eid al-Fitr for Muslims?

“Eid” means feast in Arabic, and “Fitr” means breaking the fast, so Eid al-Fitr is the Feast of Breaking the Fast.

Eid al-Fitr is a three-day Islamic holiday that all Muslims in the world, currently about 2 billion, look forward to every year. This feast is the wrap up and finale for Ramadan, the mandatory month of fasting.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is supposedly the month when the first verses of the Quran were “given” to Muhammad by an angel, and when Muhammad made his migration from Medina to Mecca. Muslims traditionally believe that at the end of this journey, Muhammad celebrated, marking the first Eid al-Fitr.

(For more details on Ramadan read this post)

What happens during Eid al-Fitr?

During Eid al-Fitr, families and communities come together and enjoy large meals. Some Muslims save up all year to afford food for Eid al-Fitr parties. 

Favorite dishes include an entire lamb roasted and served with rice and nuts, fresh salads, followed by a variety of fruits and various filo dough desserts and puddings. Of course, all of these follow Islam’s rules about what is halal or haram.

In addition to food, Eid al-Fitr is a time where Muslim families exchange presents, much like Christian families do during Christmas! There are special community events and parties, like picnics, merry-go-rounds set up in villages for kids to enjoy, and lots of music. Various cultures and countries have their own special traditions, starting from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, passing through Africa, and all the way to Kazakhstan and Indonesia.

Eid al-Fitr is one of the great examples of the value of hospitality in Islam. Muslim families will save up money to be able to host their entire family and community.

Are there special rituals for Muslims during Eid al-Fitr?

There are special rules for Eid al-Fitr. Muslims must pray a specific prayer for Eid al-Fitr. But before they even say the prayer, they must first give the Zakat al-Fitr, which is a “non-compulsory” gift of food that goes towards the poor during Eid al-Fitr. If they do this before the prayer, they are told to expect greater rewards. (This is not to be confused with the standard zakat, annual tithing required of Muslims.)

The prayer ritual for Eid al-Fitr is the same for the other Islamic feast, Eid al-Adha (which is after the hajj pilgrimage). This feast prayer is called “eid salah.” Muslims must cleanse themselves, eat something, and wear the best possible clothes they own.

One thing to note: When a Muslim misses a day of fasting in Ramadan, they are required to make it up later. But they cannot perform this “make up day” during one of the three days of Eid al-Fitr.

Can Christians connect with Muslim friends during Eid al-Fitr?

Hospitality is one of the highest values in the Islamic world. Now that fasting is over, you can reach out to your Muslim friend and invite them to your house, to a restaurant, or to a picnic for a meal! This is a great way to reconnect after such a heavy religious month for them. You can learn more about loving your Muslim friend through hospitality in this post.

If your Muslim friend invites you over for part of their Eid al-Fitr festivities, feel free to accept! This opens doors for you and your Muslim friend to grow closer and give you insight into their family and what is important for them.

One of the best ways to show your Muslim friend that you care about them is to give them a gift – like Christmas! If you give your Muslim friend food, make sure it is halal-friendly.

In addition to gifts, you can ask them these questions to start a conversation about their traditions:

• What do you enjoy during Eid al-Fitr?

• Are there any special practices you do during this time to get closer to Allah and do you feel they work?

• Now that you fasted Ramadan and celebrated the Feast, what is next in your relationship with the Creator?

• Did fasting bring up any questions you want to explore further in your faith?

Prayer for your Muslim friend during Eid al-Fitr

Dear Lord, please speak to my Muslim friend’s heart during their celebration. Please create within  them a hunger for a deep relationship with you and give me the opportunity to speak the Gospel into their life! Amen.