The Beauty Of Muslim Festivals And Why They Matter Today

By Author: Khurram Shahzad
Total Articles: 3
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Worship, charity work and festive celebrations are ways Islam unites people of the faith. Muslims all over the world honor many important festivals following the Quran, Hadith and customs from the past.

Besides being holidays, these festivals show their deep spiritual side, encourage coming together and inspire people to help others.

Every type of ceremony is distinguished by its rituals, messages and lessons. In this article, we’ll explore the most important Muslim festivals and also mention some non-Islamic celebrations that Muslims avoid, such as Halloween.

Eid al-Fitr – The Festival of Breaking the Fast
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims avoid eating and drinking during daylight hours.

The festival starts when the new moon appears and becomes a time of happiness and thanks. Every year, Muslims meet at mosques or open spaces on Eid for a special morning prayer known as Salat al-Eid.

After saying their prayers, families and friends enjoy sharing meals and try traditional sweets such as sheer khurma and baklava. People dress in fresh outfits, ...
... present each other with gifts and visit both family members and friends.

Many Muslims choose to distribute Zakat al-Fitr to the poor just before the Eid prayer to make sure no one is left out of the festivities. Eid al-Fitr encourages us to appreciate our blessings and supports the community.

Eid al-Adha – The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid al-Adha is the second major holiday among Islamic holidays. It recalls the respect Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) showed by being willing to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) for Allah.

During the process of sacrifice, as the ram was ready to be slaughtered, Allah provided a sign of mercy and submitted with the child.

Millions of Muslims offer goats, sheep, cows or camels in their sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. The meat is given to the family, to relatives and friends and to the poor. Doing Qurbani teaches people to be less selfish and more thoughtful about others.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated as part of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. For the pilgrims, this day plays an important role in their spiritual experience.

Even without performing Hajj, this time is often spent praying, celebrating and thinking. On religious days, families dress nicely, join others for prayers and celebrate together. It serves as a reminder to Muslims to obey, remain thankful and support those in need.

Ramadan – The Blessed Month (Not a Festival but Spiritually Central)
Though Ramadan does not qualify as a festival, it is a very important time in the life of a Muslim. In the Islamic calendar, the month is known as the ninth and it is celebrated as when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad (PBUH).

Observing a fast as Ramadan is one of the main duties in Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from anything they eat, drink or do wrong starting at dawn and ending at dusk.

Ramadan is about being patient, caring towards others and remembering Allah. Muslims try to increase their prayers, especially with the special Taraweeh prayers and they also spend more time reading the Quran.

A lot of people are more generous in their giving during this month. Nighttime in the community is filled with shared iftar meals and memorial prayers. After Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, the good lessons from the month last the whole year.

Islamic New Year – Muharram and Ashura
The Islamic New Year begins at the beginning of Muharram, one of the four sacred months for Muslims. Historically and religiously, Ashura, celebrated on the tenth of Muharram, has a lot of importance.

Ashura is a special day for Sunni Muslims because Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites were saved from their enemy, Pharaoh. Fasting is suggested at this time.

Ashura is the date on which Shia Muslims remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain as he took part in the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about remembering, reflecting and working toward justice. Prayers, speech-making and marching processions are often part of African American commemorations. Ashura teaches everyone to challenge injustice, even if you are only a few individuals.

Unlike other holidays, the Islamic New Year is solemn, but it’s a time people renew their faith. It is common for Muslims to take the occasion to remember the events of the past year and work on becoming better with their faith and behavior.

Laylat al-Qadr – The Night of Power
Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is the night when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). According to the Quran (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3), this night is “better than a thousand months.”

Muslims think that during this night, the doors of kindness are opened, sins are put aside and prayers are heard. A lot of individuals pray the entire night, read passages from the Quran and ask for forgiveness. Mosques organize special events so that people can focus on dua, dhikr and qiyam al-layl (night prayer).

Though the actual date is uncertain, most experts say it lands on one of the odd days in the last ten days of Ramadan. Laylat al-Qadr is not celebrated by the public, yet it is very significant to Muslims. It brings back a sense of pious intent.

Mawlid al-Nabi – The Prophet’s Birthday
Milad or Mawlid al-Nabi, falls on the day when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born. Many Muslim nations around the world carry out the Prophet’s birthday celebration on the 12th Rabi’ al-Awwal.

Each culture and sect follows different methods of observing the holiday. Some see it as a time to celebrate and recall, yet others avoid marking it, pointing out that the Prophet’s companions didn’t observe it.

In those communities that celebrate it, Mawlid involves reciting Naats about the Prophet, retelling his life story and holding group sessions on reflecting on his example.

Some areas put up lights and banners on their streets, mosques and homes. We should use this month to show support for the Prophet and follow his path.

Through every observance, the day reminds us of the personality, instruction and selfless actions of the final prophet of Islam.

Isra and Mi’raj – The Night Journey and Ascension
Both Isra and Mi’raj are considered important events from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s incredible journey. The Prophet was taken from Mecca to Jerusalem during the night as part of Isra. In Mi’raj, he traveled to heaven and met several prophets, finally leading him to Allah.

This journey is described in the Quran (Surah Al-Isra 17:1). On this occasion, Muslims reflect on the significance of the five daily prayers, which were made obligatory during Mi’raj.

Though not a public holiday in most Muslim countries, many communities hold special night prayers, lectures, and gatherings to remember this blessed journey.

Isra and Mi’raj remind Muslims of the spiritual heights they can achieve through sincere worship and belief in the unseen.

Festivals Muslims Do Not Celebrate – Like Halloween
Islam advises Muslims to only celebrate gatherings that are compatible with their faith. There are many global festivals that come from religious, superstitious or cultural customs that Muslims are not allowed to celebrate. Here are some examples:

Halloween – Originates from pagan rituals and involves themes of spirits, death, and superstition. Islam forbids imitating non-Islamic rituals and mocking the concept of the afterlife. If you want to more about Halloween then check this, Do Muslims Celebrate Halloween.

Valentine’s Day – Promotes romantic relationships outside of marriage, which Islam strictly discourages.

Christmas – Celebrates the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) as the "son of God," which contradicts the Islamic belief in the oneness of Allah.

New Year’s Eve – Often associated with drinking, partying, and wasting time—none of which align with Islamic values.

Easter – Based on Christian theology around resurrection, which differs from Islamic teachings.

Instead of these, Muslims celebrate meaningful Islamic events like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which promote faith, community, and gratitude.

The Bottom Line

They are not just days set apart with time off work. They offer us opportunities for prayer, working as a group and self-improvement.

All three events, Eid, Ashura and Laylat al-Qadr, help Muslims become closer to Allah and to their fellow Muslims.

At the same time, Islam encourages us to stick with our beliefs and not join in celebrations that don’t match our religion.

Also read more about: How to Pray Witr

The purpose of our festivals guides us as Muslims. We keep in mind what we’ve learned about sacrifice, gratitude and compassion. Attending these celebrations helps us remember why we worship and what we should do for Allah, our family and the people around us.

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