Do Sunni and Shia Muslims celebrate the same holidays?
Mostly yes: Sunni and Shia Muslims both celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, fast Ramadan and honour Laylat al-Qadr. The differences are in a few extra occasions, such as Eid al-Ghadir and the mourning of Ashura in Shia practice, and sometimes the date Eid falls on.
What both share
- Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, with the Eid prayer, charity and family visits.
- Eid al-Adha during Hajj, with the sacrifice of an animal.
- Ramadan fasting and night prayers.
- Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights. Shia Muslims especially focus on the 19th, 21st and 23rd nights, while many Sunnis focus on the odd nights, especially the 27th.
- Hajj and the Day of Arafah.
These are the core festivals of Islam, and they're the same across both traditions. See What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Ashura: fasting and mourning
Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, is observed by both, but differently. Sunni Muslims fast on it, following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, because Allah saved Musa (Moses) on that day. Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn, the Prophet's ﷺ grandson, at Karbala in 680 CE, with mourning gatherings, recitations and processions. Forty days later, many Shia mark Arba'een, often with a huge pilgrimage to Karbala. See What is Ashura and should I fast on it?
Extra occasions in Shia practice
- Eid al-Ghadir (18 Dhul Hijjah), marking the Prophet's ﷺ words about Ali at Ghadir Khumm, which Shia Muslims see as naming Ali as his successor.
- Birthdays and death anniversaries of the Imams and of Fatimah, the Prophet's ﷺ daughter.
Sunnis also love and respect Ali and the Prophet's family, but they don't mark these days as religious occasions.
Mawlid and moon sighting
Muslims who celebrate the Prophet's ﷺ birthday (Mawlid) usually do so on 12 Rabi al-Awwal among Sunnis and 17 Rabi al-Awwal among Shia. Some Sunni scholars see Mawlid as an innovation, so practice varies within Sunnis too. See Is celebrating the Prophet's birthday allowed?
Eid can also fall on different days, because communities follow different moon-sighting methods. This happens just as often between Sunni mosques as between Sunni and Shia ones.
Unity over the shared days
The Quran calls Muslims to stick together:
- Both celebrate the two Eids, Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr.
- Sunnis fast Ashura; Shia mourn Husayn on it.
- Shia also mark Eid al-Ghadir and days of the Imams.
- Eid dates can differ due to moon sighting, among Sunnis too.
People also ask
What gifts do Muslims give on Eid?
Muslims usually give Eidi money to children, plus clothes, sweets, perfume and Islamic items to family and friends. Ideas and what to avoid.
Read the full answer →Can I celebrate Eid at a restaurant?
Yes, you can celebrate Eid at a restaurant. Choosing halal food, avoiding alcohol at the table, prayer times, and bringing non-Muslim family.
Read the full answer →Why is the Eid prayer held outdoors?
The Eid prayer is held outdoors because the Prophet ﷺ led it in an open prayer ground. Why it matters, what scholars say, and Eid in the West.
Read the full answer →Is there an adhan for the Eid prayer?
No, there is no adhan or iqamah for the Eid prayer. The Prophet led it without a call; people gather at the set time and say the takbir instead.
Read the full answer →Can I pay zakat al-fitr online?
Yes, you can pay zakat al-fitr online through a trusted mosque or charity acting as your agent, as long as it reaches the poor before the Eid prayer.
Read the full answer →