Muslims offer prayers in front of the historic Taj Mahal on Eid al-Fitr in Agra, India, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011. Eid al-Fitr is a holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which is observed by millions of Muslims around the world.

One of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid, is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan (a holy month of fasting observed by Muslims). This year Eid al-Fitr will most likely be observed on Aug. 19, 2012 in the United States. It is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Traditionally, the observance begins with the sighting of the new moon. While many will wait to see the moon or an announcement from Mecca, the Fiqh Council of North America has determined that Eid al-Fitr 2012 will fall on Aug. 19, 2012, based on astronomical calculations.

According to a hadith attributed to Anas ibn Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha were instituted by the Prophet after his journey from Mecca to Medinah.

“When the Prophet arrived in Medinah, he found people celebrated two specific days in which they used to entertain themselves with recreation and merriment. He asked them about the nature of these festivities to which they replied that these days were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two days [of festivity] instead of these for you which are better than these: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The first Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.

To mark the beginning of Eid and in accordance with the Sunnah, or practices of the Prophet Muhammad, many Muslims wake up early in the morning and pray Salat ul-Fajr, or the pre-dawn prayer. After brushing their teeth, taking a bath and wearing perfume, they have breakfast before heading off to perform special congregational prayers known as Salaat al-Eid. Many Muslims recite the takbir, a declaration of faith, on the way to the prayer ground and give special charitable contributions known as Zakat al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr is a day of great merriment and thanksgiving. Muslims celebrate by gathering with friends and family, preparing sweet delicacies, wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts and putting up lights and other decorations in their homes. A common greeting during this holiday is Eid Mubarak, which means, “Have a blessed Eid!”

Are you celebrating Eid al-Fitr this year? If so, let us know how in the comments section.

Ramadan Around The World

Pakistani Muslims offer Jummat-ul-Vida, last Friday, prayers on a street during the holy month of Ramadan in Quetta on August 17, 2012. Muslim devotees took part in the last Friday prayers ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is dependent on the sighting of the moon.

Indian Muslims offer prayer on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan at Jama Masjid, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012. Muslims across the world are marking the holy month of Ramadan.

Kashmiri Muslim women offer Jummat-Ul-Vida, the last Friday, prayers of Ramadan at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar on August 17, 2012. Muslim devotees took part in the last Friday prayers ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is dependent on the sighting of the moon.

Bangladeshi Muslims offer Jummat-Ul-Vida prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan at the National Mosque of Bangladesh, Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka on August 17, 2012 ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival. The three-day festival, which begins after the sighting of a new crescent moon, marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which devout Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.

Pakistani Muslims offer Jummat-ul-Vida, last Friday, prayers on a street during the holy month of Ramadan in Quetta on August 17, 2012. Muslim devotees took part in the last Friday prayers ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is dependent on the sighting of the moon.

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