Difference between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are significant Islamic observances. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting and prayer, while Eid al-Fitr marks its end with celebration and charity.

Key Takeaways:

• Ramadan: A month of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection commemorating the Quran's revelation.
• Eid al-Fitr: A festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasts, and charity.
• Umrah: Performing this pilgrimage during Ramadan is highly rewarding.

What is Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr?

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are both important Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the world, each significant in its own way. While closely interlinked, they are not the same, and knowing the intricate details of both festivals can help one realise their magnitude and celebrate them with greater reverence and humility.

The following guide elaborates on each of these pivotal festivals, while also covering why Ramadan is a good time to book Umrah packages 2024 from India. You can secure the cheapest Umrah package from Delhi or any other city of your choice for a pilgrimage during the blessed month of fasting for greater rewards.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan month is a time of celebration and remembrance of when the Holy Quran was revealed to the blessed Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by the angel Jibreel. The particular night the Holy Quran was revealed is known as Lailut ul-Qadr, which means the Night of Power. It is this month of revelation that's celebrated worldwide by Muslims as Ramadan.

It is widely believed and accepted in the Muslim community that the blessed Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was the last to receive the teachings of Allah Almighty, spreading the Islamic faith by the power of the revelation of the Holy Quran.

It is mandatory for every able-bodied, adult, and sane Muslim to observe the holy month of fasting with utmost reverence and devotion to Allah Almighty. The sacred observance is meant to purify the mind, body, and soul.

When is it Celebrated?

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is celebrated as Ramadan. The specific date changes every year, as Islam uses a lunar calendar, which means the dates will change as per the cycles of the moon.

Ramadan begins when the new moon is first sighted by the esteemed Muslim leaders, who then declare the dates. Full moon marks the middle (or ongoing) month of fasting. The end of the holy festival is marked when the moon wanes to the other side. The month of fasting typically lasts around 29 to 30 days in its entirety.

What Muslims Do during Ramadan

Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dawn to sunset, devoting themselves completely to their faith in Allah Almighty. They abstain from all food, drink (including water), and chewing gum while fasting. The fasting period is believed to teach observants self-control and discipline, reminding them of the suffering of the needy and poor. Prepubescent children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those who are ill and or travelling are not obligated to fast.

Wishing someone Ramadan Mubarak (happy Ramadan) is acceptable during the holy month. During the sacred month of fasting, it is acceptable for Muslims to have one meal, called Suhoor, just before sunrise. Another meal, called Iftar, is eaten right after sunset. Usually, entire families and communities come together to share Iftar.

Muslims try to forgo bad habits during Ramadan, focusing on prayer, good deeds, and self-improvement. They will spend as much time with family and friends as possible, and perform charitable acts. Many Muslims also try to read the entire Holy book of Quran at least once during the fasting period.

Special services are held in mosques, where Muslim leaders read from the Holy Quran.

How to Fast for Ramadan Safely?

The following are a few healthy Ramadan fasting tips that can help first-timers have a safe and blessed month.

• Never skip the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal).
• Avoid overeating during Iftar (post-sunset evening meal).
• Include healthy foods in both meals, instead of fatty, oily, sugary, greasy, or fried items for better digestion and overall health.
• Stay hydrated during non-fasting hours to prevent fatigue and exhaustion.
• Sleep if you need to during the fasting hours, as long as you have someone to wake you up for prayer time.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid ul-Fitr or simply Eid, is a pivotal Islamic holiday celebrated by the Muslim community worldwide. The important religious festival marks the end of the intense and holy month of fasting, Ramadan, indicating its successful completion. Translated from Arabic, the holiday means the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," an apt name signifying its true meaning and purpose.

When is it Celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first three days of Shawwal, which is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. However, the exact date varies every year, depending on the crescent new moon sighting that marks the beginning of the new month.

What Muslims Do during Eid al-Fitr

During Eid al-Fitr, Muslim families and friends come together to offer prayers, share opulent meals, and exchange gifts. Special congregational Eid prayers are offered early in the morning in mosques and open fields. Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak (blessed or happy Eid), which is an acceptable greeting to use during the festival alongside formal embraces.

Breakfast, the first daytime meal of the new month, is specially prepared during the festival, with Muslims sharing the rich special delicacies with loved ones. They give and receive money or gifts at this time, known as "Eidi," especially to young children.

They also wear new clothes and perform acts of charity (Zakat al-Fitr - charity given at the end of Ramadan), drawing on the spiritual fulfilment achieved during the holy month of fasting.

Spiritual Significance of Eid al-Fitr

The crucial festival is a time of tremendous joy and gratitude for Muslims everywhere, who use the occasion to express their faith and undying gratitude to Allah Almighty for the strength and endurance provided for the intense fasting period of Ramadan. With their charitable acts and self-control, Muslims demonstrate the level of self-introspection, peace, and gratitude they develop through the fasting observance.

The three-day Eid al-Fitr festival is also a blessed time for Muslims to make relations right with everyone in the house and neighborhood, bringing the global Islamic community a step closer to one another.

Ramadan, An Auspicious Time for Umrah

Many believe performing the sacred pilgrimage of Umrah during Ramadan is highly auspicious, as it brings greater rewards. Authentic hadiths of the blessed Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) equate the rewards of Umrah during Ramadan to those of Hajj, for the elderly, young, weak, and women. However, Umrah during Ramadan does not exempt one from the obligatory duty of performing Hajj.

The overall rewards for doing Umrah during the pious month of fasting are said to be multiplied almost seventy times, bringing greater blessings upon the pilgrims. It is the ideal time to seek forgiveness of sins and purify the mind, body, and soul, as a guest in Allah Almighty's house.

Cheap Ramadan Umrah Packages 2024

So, to enjoy increased spiritual rewards as you perform this sacred Islamic act of worship, consider booking Ramadan Umrah packages from Hyderabad or any other major city in India with us. We assure you of the best price guarantee, massive discounts, and itinerary planning for a hassle-free Umrah holiday.

We also offer super-cheap Umrah packages from Mumbai, one of the largest cosmopolitan cities in India, enabling pilgrims to fulfil their dream of stepping onto the Holy Land of Makkah. Browse our Umrah deals and packages from India and embark on one of the most significant Islamic journeys of your life.

May Allah Almighty accept your Umrah!