islamic holidays

{{Main|Eid al-Fitr|Eid al-Adha}}

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.{{Cite book|last=الشحيمي|first=محمد|title=العيد فرحة وآداب|publisher=دائرة الشؤون الإسلامية والعمل الخيري|year=2014|isbn=978-9948-499-99-2|location=دبي، الامارات العربية المتحدة}}

File:Fanous Ramadan.jpg, a lantern used in homes, mosques and streets during Ramadan]]

{{Main|Ramadan}}

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.{{Cite book|title=No god but God : the origins and evolution of Islam|last=Reza|first=Aslan|date=2011|publisher=Delacorte Press|isbn=9780385739757|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=118–119|oclc=614990718}} Fasting is considered a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in God.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ramadan0000aloi|title=Ramadan|last=Molly.|first=Aloian|date=2009|publisher=Crabtree|isbn=978-0778742852|location=New York|oclc=227911610|url-access=registration}} 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.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

{{Main|Hajj}}

{{Main|Umrah}}

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The Islamic calendar is based on the synodic period of the Moon's revolution around the Earth, approximately 29{{1/2}} 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.{{cite web|title=Islamic Calendar|url=http://islamicfinder.org/islamic-calendar/|website=IslamicFinder|access-date=12 September 2020}}{{cite web|title=Special Islamic Days|url=http://islamicfinder.org/special-islamic-days/|website=IslamicFinder|access-date=12 September 2020}}

{{Notelist|45em}}

{{Reflist}}

• 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.

• [http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/islam/ummalqura.htm The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia] (with date converter valid from 1937 to 2077)

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Category:Religious holidays