Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak is an Arabic greeting that is commonly used by Muslims to convey well wishes and blessings on the occasion of Eid. Eid refers to the Islamic festival or holiday, and Mubarak translates to “blessed” or “happy. So Eid Mubarak essentially means “Blessed Eid” or “Happy Eid.” Muslims greet each other with this phrase during the Eid celebrations, particularly on the day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is a way of expressing joy, goodwill, and extending blessings to others during this festive time. The phrase is used to acknowledge and celebrate the completion of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) or the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage (Eid al-Adha).

Background

Both of the festivals of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, known as the greater and lesser festivals of the Muslim calendar, respectively, merit the greeting Eid Mubarak. Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. The festival holds great spiritual and social significance and it is a time of joy, gratitude, and communal celebration. Eid al-Fitr begins with the sighting of the new moon, which determines the exact date of the festival. On this day, Muslims wake up early, perform ritual cleansings, and gather at mosques or open spaces for communal prayers called Salat al-Eid. These prayers are led by a religious leader and include special prayers.

Following the prayers, Muslims exchange heartfelt greetings of Eid Mubarak and engage in acts of charity by giving Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory form of charity given before the prayers. It is intended to purify the fasting person’s soul and offer support to the less fortunate. Throughout the day, families and friends come together to share festive meals, exchange gifts, and enjoy each other’s company. Special traditional dishes and sweet treats are prepared and homes are adorned with decorations. Children often receive gifts and money, adding to the festive spirit.

Eid al-Fitr is a time for forgiveness, reconciliation, and strengthening bonds of kinship. Muslims seek to mend any strained relationships and extend forgiveness to others. It is a time of unity, generosity, and expressing gratitude for the blessings received during Ramadan.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The focal point of Eid al-Adha is the act of sacrificing an animal, typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This symbolizes Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son and his unwavering faith in God. Eid al-Adha is a time of reflection, unity, and generosity. Families and friends come together to share festive meals, exchange greetings of Eid Mubarak, and engage in acts of charity. It is an occasion for Muslims to strengthen bonds, help the less fortunate, and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives.

Overview

The word Eid has its roots in the Arabic language and is derived from the triliteral root ayn yā dāl. It carries a range of interconnected meanings related to festivity, celebration, and recurring events. The term Eid shares linguistic connections with other words in Arabic. For example, the word ada means custom or tradition. This connection suggests that Eids are deeply ingrained customs and traditions within the Islamic faith and Muslim communities.

The word Mubarak has its roots in the Arabic language and is derived from the triliteral root bā rā kāf. The term can be used as an adjective to describe a noun, as in Eid Mubarak or “blessed Eid.” It can also be used independently to convey blessings or good wishes, such as Mubarak! or “May it be blessed!” It represents the belief that something or someone is bestowed with blessings and goodness from a higher power. It acknowledges the presence of divine blessings and expresses gratitude for the favor received.

Different regions of the Muslim world use variations of the universal greeting. In Arabic-speaking countries, the phrase Eid Mubarak is commonly used. Additionally, they may use variations such as Kul ‘am wa antum bi-khair, which means “May you be well every year.” Persian speakers (Iranians, Afghans, and Tajiks) use the phrase eid-e shoma mobarak.

In South Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan, the phrase Eid Mubarak is often used, along with variations such as Eid Mubarak ho in Hindi or Eid Mubarak ho jaye in Urdu.

In Turkey, the common Eid greeting is Bayramınız kutlu olsun or Bayramınız mübarek olsun, which translates to “May your holiday be blessed.” Additionally, İyi Bayramlar can be used, which simply means “happy holidays.”

In Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia, the phrase Selamat Hari Raya is commonly used. It means “Happy Eid” or “Happy Festival.”

In East Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya and Tanzania, the phrase Eid Mubarak is often used, along with variations such as Kheri ya Sikukuu or Heri ya Eid, both of which convey well wishes for a happy Eid. The Hausa language, originally from Northern Nigeria and Niger, is widely spoken among Muslims throughout West Africa. Their equivalent Eid greetings in Hausa is “Barka da Sallah,” which translates to “blessed Eid prayers.”

In Bangladesh and parts of India, the phrase Eid Mubarak is commonly used, along with variations such as Eid-er shubhechha in Bengali, which means “greetings of Eid.” In Latin America and Spain, people use the expression Feliz Eid.

When someone says Eid Mubarak, it is appropriate to respond with Eid Mubarak or Wa alaikum as-salam, which means “And peace be upon you.” It is a way of reciprocating the good wishes and spreading the festive spirit. The choice of greeting may depend on the local language, cultural practices, and personal preferences. Nevertheless, the underlying sentiment remains the same—to wish others a blessed and joyful Eid celebration.

Bibliography

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“Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha – What is the Difference?” Muslim Aid Media Centre, June 2019, www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/eid-ul-fitr-and-eid-ul-adha-what-is-the-difference/. Accessed 12 July 2023.

Saber, Indlieb Farzi. “Eid al-Fitr: Six Different Ways to Say Eid Mubarak.” Middle East Eye, 25 Apr. 2022, www.middleeasteye.net/discover/eid-mubarak-six-different-ways-saying. Accessed 12 July 2023.

Shiraz, Zarafshan. “Happy Eid-ul-Adha 2023: Korean to Turkish and Bengali, 12 Ways to Wish ‘Eid Mubarak’ in Different Cultures and Languages.” Hindustan Times, 29 June 2023, www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/happy-eid-ul-adha-2023-korean-to-turkish-and-bengali-12-ways-to-wish-eid-mubarak-in-different-cultures-and-languages-101687927098240.html. Accessed 12 July 2023.

“What to Know About the Holidays Called Eid.” Dictionary.com, 18 Apr. 2023, www.dictionary.com/e/eid/. Accessed 12 July 2023.

Willis, Amy. “What Does Eid Mubarak Mean? How to Say it in Arabic and Reply.” Metro, 13 Sept. 2016, metro.co.uk/2016/09/13/what-does-eid-mubarak-mean-how-to-say-it-in-arabic-and-reply-6125093/. Accessed 12 July 2023.