Muslim Festivals: Sunni and Shi'a (1RA0)

The festivals of Islam

Festivals mark the moments that matter most in a faith. In Islam, some are shared by all Muslims, while others hold a special place for Shi'a Muslims. This module meets four: Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha, celebrated across Islam, and Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura, which are especially important to Shi'a Muslims.

Four festivals

Meet the four celebrations in this module:

Match each festival to its meaning

Which festival ends Ramadan?

Which festival marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, with special prayers and the giving of charity called Zakat al-Fitr?

• Id-ul-Fitr
• Id-ul-Adha
• Id-ul-Ghadeer
• Ashura

Id-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice

Id-ul-Adha remembers how the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and how Allah provided a ram to sacrifice in his place. The Qur'an tells this story in Surah 37. It falls at the end of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage. Many families take part in a sacrifice called qurbani and share the meat with relatives, friends and people in need. All Muslims may celebrate it.

Shared by all Muslims

Select the TWO festivals that are the main celebrations for ALL Muslims, both Sunni and Shi'a.

• Id-ul-Fitr
• Id-ul-Adha
• Id-ul-Ghadeer
• Ashura

Ashura: two traditions

Ashura falls on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, but it means different things to the two branches.

The road to Id-ul-Fitr

Put these events leading up to Id-ul-Fitr into the right order.

• Muslims fast through the month of Ramadan
• They mark Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power
• The new moon is sighted, ending Ramadan
• Id-ul-Fitr begins with special morning prayers
• Families give Zakat al-Fitr and celebrate together

Festivals in words

Id-ul-_____ marks the end of Ramadan, while Id-ul-_____ is the festival of sacrifice at the time of the _____. Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura are especially important to _____ Muslims. On Ashura, Shi'a Muslims mourn _____, who was killed at Karbala.

What is Id-ul-Ghadeer?

Id-ul-Ghadeer is a festival especially important to Shi'a Muslims. What does it remember?

• The Prophet Muhammad's words about Ali at Ghadir Khumm
• The birth of the Prophet Ibrahim
• The start of the fasting month of Ramadan
• The sacrifice made during the Hajj

Which festival, and who keeps it

Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE.

• Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha are celebrated by all Muslims.
• On Ashura, Shi'a Muslims mourn Husayn while Sunnis often fast.
• Id-ul-Adha marks the end of the month of Ramadan.
• Id-ul-Ghadeer is a festival that only Sunni Muslims keep.
• Ashura falls during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Match each festival to when it falls

Name the festival

Identify each festival from a short description.

• Families gather after a month of fasting, give charity and share a joyful meal. Which festival is it?
• A family remembers the Prophet Ibrahim, takes part in a sacrifice and shares the meat with the poor at Hajj time. Which festival is it?
• Shi'a Muslims hold mourning gatherings for Husayn, killed at Karbala, on the tenth of Muharram. Which festival is it?

Why festivals matter

Explain the significance of one Muslim festival for believers. Choose Id-ul-Adha or Ashura, and make clear how Sunni and Shi'a Muslims mark it.

• Name the festival you have chosen and say when it falls
• Explain what event or person it remembers
• Describe how Muslims mark it, such as prayer, sacrifice, charity or mourning
• Explain how the meaning may differ, or be shared, between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims