How Many Muslim Holidays Are There, Really?

Hey everyone! It’s your Holiday Little Assistant here. Lately, I’ve been getting a bunch of questions about how many Muslim holidays there are, so I figured it’s time to break it all down for you. Whether you’re just curious or planning ahead, this guide will cover everything you need to know about Islamic celebrations. Let’s dive in!

First off, the Muslim calendar (also called the Hijri calendar) is lunar-based, meaning it follows the cycles of the moon. Because of this, Islamic holidays shift by about 10–12 days each year compared to the Gregorian calendar. While there are many significant dates in Islam, there are two 主要的 holidays that all Muslims celebrate worldwide: 开斋节 和 宰牲节. But hold up—there’s way more to it than just these two! Let’s get into the details.

Major Muslim Holidays You Should Know

1. Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) – This marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Muslims celebrate with prayers, feasts, and giving charity (Zakat al-Fitr). It’s a day of joy, gratitude, and family gatherings.

2. Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) – Occurring during Hajj season, this holiday honors Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God. Families who can afford it sacrifice an animal (like a sheep or goat) and share the meat with the poor.

These two Eids are the big ones, but there are other important Islamic observances:

Other Important Dates in the Islamic Calendar

✔️ Mawlid al-Nabi – Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), though some Muslim communities don’t observe it.

✔️ Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) – Marks the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

✔️ 阿舒拉 – A day of remembrance, especially for Shia Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Sunnis also fast on this day as it’s believed Prophet Moses was saved from Pharaoh.

✔️ Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) – During Ramadan, this is the holiest night when the Quran was first revealed.

✔️ Ramadan – Not a holiday per se, but the entire month is a major time of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

How Many Muslim Holidays Are There, Really?

If we’re counting universal Muslim holidays, it’s mostly the two Eids. But if we include regional and sectarian observances, the number grows. Different cultures and Islamic traditions (Sunni, Shia, Sufi, etc.) have their own ways of celebrating. Some focus more on historical events, while others prioritize religious practice. So, the exact number? It depends on who you ask!

To sum it up, Islam has a rich calendar with many significant dates, but the most widely celebrated holidays are 开斋节 和 宰牲节. Whether you’re Muslim or just interested in learning, knowing these dates helps in understanding Islamic culture better.

FAQpro: Thanks for reading! I hope this clears up any confusion about Muslim holidays. If you’ve got more questions—like when these holidays fall this year or how they’re celebrated—hit me up! Your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help.