What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
It depends on which part you look at, but the core difference is the reason. Eid al-Fitr celebrates finishing the Ramadan fast, while Eid al-Adha, about two months later, honors Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice and comes with the Hajj pilgrimage. Both have the same Eid prayer, but each has its own charity and customs.
The quick comparison
- When: Eid al-Fitr is on the 1st of Shawwal, right after Ramadan. Eid al-Adha is on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, roughly 70 days later.
- What it marks: al-Fitr means "breaking the fast". Al-Adha means "the sacrifice", recalling Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son.
- Charity: al-Fitr has zakat al-fitr, a small food charity paid before the prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503). Al-Adha has qurbani, the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow or camel.
- Length: al-Fitr is one day in Islamic law (families often celebrate for three). Al-Adha is followed by the three days of Tashriq, so it runs about four days.
Both move about 11 days earlier each year on the Western calendar, because the Islamic calendar follows the moon.
Small differences on the morning
The Prophet ﷺ would not leave on the day of Fitr until he had eaten, and on the day of Adha he would not eat until he had prayed (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 542). So on Eid al-Fitr you eat a few dates before the prayer; on Eid al-Adha many people wait and eat after, ideally from their sacrifice.
The prayer itself is the same in both. The sacrifice must come after the Eid prayer: the Prophet ﷺ said the first thing to do on that day is pray, then go back and slaughter (Sahih al-Bukhari 5545).
The sacrifice of Eid al-Adha
Qurbani is the biggest practical difference. Families who can afford it sacrifice an animal and share the meat with family, friends and the poor. In Europe and the US, most people pay a charity or a halal butcher to do it, here or abroad. Scholars differ on how required it is: the Hanafi school says it's obligatory (wajib) for those who can afford it, while most scholars call it a strongly recommended sunnah. See What is qurbani and do I have to do it?
Which one is "bigger"?
In some cultures Eid al-Fitr feels bigger, with sweets and new clothes after a month of fasting. In others, Eid al-Adha is called "the Big Eid". Religiously, both are the two official festivals of Islam (Sunan Abi Dawud 1134), and fasting on either day is not allowed (Sahih al-Bukhari 1990).
Either Eid is a great day to welcome non-Muslim friends. See Can I invite my non-Muslim family to Eid?
- Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan; Eid al-Adha comes with Hajj.
- Al-Fitr has zakat al-fitr; al-Adha has qurbani.
- Eat before the prayer on al-Fitr, after it on al-Adha.
- The Eid prayer is the same for both.
People also ask
What should I wear on Eid as a Muslim?
Yes, wear your best clothes on Eid, as long as they're modest. They don't need to be new or cultural: smart, clean and modest is right.
Read the full answer →How do I pray the Eid prayer?
Yes, it's easy: two rak'at behind an imam in the morning, with extra takbirs and no adhan, then a short sermon. Just follow the imam.
Read the full answer →What is qurbani and do I have to do it?
It depends on your means. Qurbani is the Eid al-Adha sacrifice: Hanafis say it's obligatory if you can afford it, most others a strong Sunnah.
Read the full answer →Why do Muslims celebrate Eid on different days?
It depends on the method: local moon sighting, global sighting or calculation. All have scholarly support, so follow your community.
Read the full answer →How do I know which day Eid is?
It depends on the moon. Eid al-Fitr begins when the Shawwal crescent is seen or Ramadan hits 30 days. Follow your local mosque.
Read the full answer →