A Guide to Muslim Holy Days for Non-Muslims

Like any other religion, Islam has its own special events and holidays that Muslims follow each year. However, many non-Muslims are unaware of the specific conditions that govern these events and fail to understand the cultural behaviors that Muslims practice during these times. 

If you’re one of these people, don’t worry. This article will give you a clear breakdown of these holy days and shed some light on the meaning and practices Muslims observe on these special occasions. By doing so, you’ll be able to understand your Muslim friends better and have a deeper insight into the Islamic faith in general. If you’re interested in learning more, you can always download an app like Muslim Pro, which lists down prayer times, nearby mosques, and halal restaurants where Muslims often commune.

The Islamic Calendar

Before anything else, the first thing non-Muslims need to understand is that the Islamic community follows a different calendar. While most of the world adheres to the Gregorian calendar, Muslims use the lunar one, which they also call the Hijri calendar. Followers of Islam determine the days of special occasions by observing the moon with the naked eye. Thus, dates of holidays remain approximate until the new moon is sighted.

Two different calendars ultimately result in varying numbers of days. The lunar calendar only has 354 days compared to the Gregorian calendar’s 365. Hence, the date gap increases by 11 days annually, and the dates of Muslim holidays change. Because of this gap, don’t be surprised if your Muslim friends will celebrate their holidays on different dates each year. 

Islamic Holy days and Observances

Muslims observe many religious celebrations every year, but they do have two major holidays: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. Eid in Arabic means “festival” or “feast.” During these events, the Muslim community often gathers together to discuss Islamic teachings and celebrate the special meanings of these important holidays. To elaborate further, here is a quick breakdown of these events:

Al-Hijrah

Hijrah in Arabic means “migration.” The Al-Hijrah marks the end of Muhammad’s journey from Mecca and Medina and celebrates the establishment of the first Islamic state. It’s the official start of the Islamic calendar, which is why Muslim dates use the suffix A.H. (After Hijrah). For this reason, it’s often referred to as the Islamic New Year.

Mawlid

Mawlid refers to the birthday of a holy figure, particularly Muhammad. The date is often set on the 12th day of the Rabi al-awwal, which is the third month of the Islamic calendar. On this day, Muslims would often hold communal meals and come together to discuss their faith.

That said, the celebration of Mawlid is a hotly debated topic among Muslims. Some Islamic denominations question it; others celebrate it. Aside from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, many countries that have a mostly Muslim population recognize Mawlid as a national holiday.

Ramadan

Ramadan is one of the most well-known Islamix holidays and is familiar even to non-Muslims. It is generally called the month of fasting and takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims regard the occasion as a time to strengthen their connection with Allah by practicing fasting, reading the Quran, and reflecting deeply on its teachings. Some Muslims may use extra tools such as the Muslim pro app to check Quran translations and more consistently observe their prayer schedule.

During this time, Muslims must fast, neither eating nor drinking anything (not even water) during sunlit hours. They must also abstain from anger, sexual activity, and immoral acts. In the evenings, they can eat once more, often resulting in jovial feasts and night-long gatherings.

Eid al-Fitr

The Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Depending on the country, celebrations can last anywhere between one to three days. In this period, Muslims gather at mosques for early morning prayers and celebrate their strengthened connections after the month-long fasting. For this reason, Eid al-Fitr is also known as the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast”.

Eid al-Adha

While Muslims observe many holy days annually, they generally regard the Eid al-Adha as the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. It is a four-day holiday that marks the sacrifice of Ibrahim, which is why it’s also called the “Festival of Sacrifice”. In this spirit, Muslims who can afford the Qurbani, the sacrifice of an acceptable animal in the name of Allah, will purchase an animal and share the meat with family, neighbors, and the poor.

The Eid al-Adha takes place on the 10th day of the lunar calendar’s final month, Dhu al-Hijjah. The month also happens to be considered as the most sacred month of the year, with many Muslims traveling to Mecca for Hajj during this month.

Hopefully, this guide on Muslim holy days has helped you gain a deeper sight into their events and why they celebrate them. If you’re unsure of how to greet your Muslim friends during these occasions, just ask them. As long as you’re coming from a place of respect and genuine curiosity, they’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.