Eid-al-Fitr vs. Eid-al-Adha, an article by Hanaa Haleem

 Eid-al-Fitr vs. Eid-al-Adha by Hanaa Haleem

Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month where we fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset in order to express gratitude for the nourishment and privileges given to us. One of the sunnahs (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) is to eat an odd number of dates before going to prayer, a tradition my family commits to each year. We begin with a morning prayer at a local park, where everyone greats with warm smiles and joyful “Eid Mubaraks.”

After prayers, my family gathers at home for brunch with relatives and family friends. We begin with appetizers like spring rolls and samosas, perfectly spiced and crispy. The main breakfast consists of flaky parotta, tender goat curry with naan bread, chilli chicken, and aromatic biryani. The meal is accompanied by conversations with our family friends, often telling horror stories from their jobs and nostalgic memories from our childhood. 

Finally stuffed, we move into our post-brunch nap and call relatives from back home. Another tradition is Eidi, the gift of cash for younger kids. Although I have had the privilege of receiving this most years, it is nearly my time to give it out instead.

The celebration continues with a dinner party at a family friend’s house, following a similar format but with new dishes and desserts. Chatter increases with laughter, and the air fills with the aroma of sweet treats, creating a cozy atmosphere to end the night. These moments, spent with family, friends, and food, make Eid a shared experience of gratitude, joy, and community. The best feeling arrives with thinking of this as a reward after fasting for 30 days, making the first bite of food feel extremely nourishing and fulfilling.

Eid-al-Adha, though celebrated with a different intention, shares a similar rhythm of bonding. Preparation begins three days in advance, as my parents clean and cook Qurbani meat, a goat sacrificed in respect to Prophet Ibrhaim, who sacrificed his son through the command of God. This holiday marks the conclusion of the ten days of pilgrimage in Makkah and Medinah, also known as Hajj. Those days give the opportunity to earn more blessings from Allah by participating in voluntary fasting, making this Eid feel like a reward too. The celebration also revolves around salams and mubaraks (greetings), traditional foods mentioned previously, and chatter. Overall, it serves as a time for reflection, generosity, and appreciation for each sacrifice and blessing.