Muslim Festivals: Sunni and Shi'a (1RB0)
Festivals bind the Muslim year to faith and history. Meet Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr, kept by all Muslims, and the days of Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura that are especially important to Shi'a Muslims.
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A year of festivals
Muslim festivals, called Ids, tie the year to faith and history: the Festival of Sacrifice, the breaking of the fast, and days that are especially important to Shi'a Muslims. This module meets Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr, kept by all Muslims, and Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura.
The language of Muslim festivals
Four ideas run through this module:
Two festivals for all Muslims
Both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims keep these two great festivals, but they mark different moments of the year.
After the fast
Which festival marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan?
- Id-ul-Fitr
- Id-ul-Adha
- Id-ul-Ghadeer
- Ashura
Match each festival to what it remembers
- Id-ul-Adha
- Id-ul-Fitr
- Id-ul-Ghadeer
- Ashura
- The Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice
- The end of the fast of Ramadan
- The Prophet appointing Ali, in Shi'a belief
- The remembrance of Husayn, for Shi'a Muslims
Especially Shi'a
Select the TWO festivals that are especially marked by Shi'a Muslims.
- Id-ul-Ghadeer
- Ashura
- Id-ul-Fitr
- Id-ul-Adha
The Festival of Sacrifice
Id-ul-Adha recalls the Prophet Ibrahim. Surah 37:100-111 tells how he was ready to sacrifice his son at Allah's command, and Allah sent a ram instead. Muslims who can afford it offer an animal sacrifice and share the meat with family, friends and the poor.
A day of Id-ul-Adha
Put the events of Id-ul-Adha into a sensible order.
- Muslims complete or remember the Hajj pilgrimage
- The community gathers for special Id prayers
- Those who can afford it offer an animal sacrifice
- The meat is shared with family, friends and the poor
- Families visit and celebrate together
Whose festival?
Id-ul-Ghadeer, which recalls the Prophet appointing Ali, is a festival especially for which Muslims?
- Shi'a Muslims
- Only young children
- People who are not Muslims
- No one marks it today
Festivals in words
The Festival of Sacrifice is _____, held at the end of the Hajj; it recalls the Prophet _____. The Festival of Breaking the Fast is _____, at the end of Ramadan. Shi'a Muslims especially mark _____, recalling the Prophet appointing Ali, and _____, remembering Husayn at Karbala.
The two Ids
Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE.
- Id-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, falls at the end of the Hajj.
- Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan.
- Id-ul-Ghadeer is a festival marked especially by Sunni Muslims.
- Id-ul-Fitr recalls the Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice.
- No Muslims mark the day of Ashura in any way.
Match each festival to how it is kept
- Id-ul-Fitr
- Id-ul-Adha
- Ashura
- Id-ul-Ghadeer
- Special prayers and a charity before the Id prayer
- An animal is sacrificed and the meat shared
- Shi'a remembrance, and for Sunni a day of fasting
- A Shi'a celebration of the appointing of Ali
Which festival is it?
Read each description and name the festival.
- A family gives a special charity so the poor can celebrate too, then shares a festive meal to mark the end of a month of fasting. Which festival is this?
- Pilgrims finish the Hajj, and Muslims sacrifice an animal and share the meat, recalling the Prophet Ibrahim. Which festival is this?
- Shi'a Muslims gather to remember Husayn at Karbala, while many Sunni Muslims keep the same day as a voluntary fast. Which day is this?
Explain the festivals
Explain how and why Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Adha, and describe one festival that is especially important to Shi'a Muslims. Refer to what each festival remembers.
- Explain what Id-ul-Adha remembers and when it falls
- Describe how Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Adha
- Name a festival especially important to Shi'a Muslims
- Explain what that Shi'a festival remembers