When Does Eid Ul Fitr Start? Moon Sighting and Eid Dates Explained

Eid al-Fitr is the day when the lights of joy shine upon the hearts of Muslims after a month of fasting, night prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, and acts of kindness. On this great day, we reflect on its meanings, understand its rulings and etiquettes, and discover the divine joy that fills the hearts of believers during this celebration. It reminds us that the true happiness is the joy of the heart in obeying Allah and attaining His pleasure.

Every year as the blessed month of Ramadan approaches its end, Muslims around the world – like Canada and other Western countries- begin asking an important question: when does Eid Ul Fitr start? The answer is deeply connected to Islamic tradition, lunar observation, and scholarly interpretation. 

We will explain when does Eid Ul Fitr start, how scholars determine the date, why there can be differences between countries, and how Muslims prepare to celebrate the festival after completing the fast of Ramadan.

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How Scholars Determine when does eid ul fitr start

Islamic celebrations were defined by Islamic law through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is reported that Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه said: When the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, the people had two days during which they used to celebrate and play. He asked, “What are these two days?” They said, “We used to celebrate them during the time of ignorance.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 

“Indeed, Allah has replaced them for you with something better: the Day of Eid al-Adha and the Day of Eid al-Fitr.”

Every Muslim should know that there are only three celebrations in Islam. These are: Eid al-Fitr, which comes after the completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which occurs at the end of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. These two Eids are celebrated every year.

There is also a third recurring celebration that comes at the end of every week, which is Friday (Jumu‘ah). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, this is a day of Eid that Allah has made for the Muslims, so whoever comes to the Friday prayer should take a bath.”

Islamic months begin with the sighting of the crescent moon. Therefore, determining when does Eid Ul Fitr start is closely tied to observing the new moon that marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.

According to authentic prophetic teachings, Muslims begin fasting when the crescent moon of Ramadan is seen and end the fast when the crescent moon of Shawwal is sighted. This means that the conclusion of Ramadan—and therefore the start of Eid—is not determined by a predetermined calendar date but by lunar observation.

Moon Sighting and Islamic Calendar Basics

Unlike many global holidays that fall on a fixed calendar date, Eid Ul Fitr depends on the sighting of the new moon that signals the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

Understanding when does Eid Ul Fitr start requires knowledge of the Islamic lunar calendar, the role of moon sighting, and the efforts of scholars and religious authorities who determine the official beginning of Eid. Because these factors can vary across regions, the exact day of Eid sometimes differs from one country to another.

To Know when does Eid Ul Fitr start, it is essential to understand how the Islamic calendar works. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar consisting of twelve months, each lasting either 29 or 30 days. The beginning of each month depends on the visible appearance of the crescent moon after sunset.

Scholars carefully study reports of moon sightings from reliable witnesses. These reports are reviewed and verified by qualified religious authorities. If the crescent moon is confirmed after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan, the following day becomes the first of Shawwal and the day of Eid. If the moon is not seen, Ramadan completes thirty days, and Eid begins the day after.

Because the Islamic calendar is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan and Eid move earlier every year. This is why Muslims sometimes experience Ramadan in different seasons throughout their lives.

Why Eid Dates May Differ Around the World

One reason people often ask when does Eid Ul Fitr start is because the date sometimes differs from country to country. This difference is usually related to geographical factors and differing approaches to moon sighting.

Allah has made the crescent moons a means for calculating months and years. By sighting the crescent, one month begins and another ends, and upon this sighting many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and pilgrimage.

Scholars who have examined this issue in depth have stated that differences in moon sighting horizons are to be considered valid. It is well known that there can be noticeable differences between locations in terms of when the moon becomes visible.

Evidence supporting this consideration is illustrated in the hadith in which the Successor (Tabi‘i) Kurayb ibn Abi Muslim relates that Umm al-Fadl bint al-Harith—the mother of Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهم جميعا —sent him to Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan رضي الله عنه in Bilad al-Sham (the Levant or Syria in our current time) to fulfill a need for her. 

At that time, Muawiyah was the governor of Syria. Kurayb went there and completed the task, and while he was in Syria the crescent of the month of Ramadan appeared. The moon was sighted on the night of Friday. The distance between Syria and Madinah is more than 1,120 kilometers.

Kurayb then reported that he later returned to Madinah near the end of the month of Ramadan. Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه asked him about the journey and about fulfilling his mother’s request. Then Ibn Abbas mentioned the crescent moon and asked him: “When did you see the crescent in Syria?” Kurayb replied that they saw it on the night of Friday. Ibn Abbas asked, “Did you see it with your own eyes?” Kurayb said, “Yes, and the people also saw it, so they began fasting, and Muawiyah also fasted.”

Ibn Abbas then said: “But we saw it on the night of Saturday,” meaning a night after it had been seen in Syria. Therefore, we will continue fasting until we complete thirty days or until we see the crescent earlier on the twenty-ninth day. This is due to the difference in moon sighting horizons resulting from differences in location.

Kurayb then asked Ibn Abbas: “Will you not be satisfied with the sighting of the people of Syria and the fasting of Muawiyah?” In other words, would he not begin and end fasting according to their sighting. Ibn Abbas replied: “No.” Meaning that they would not rely on their sighting; rather, they would fast according to their own sighting or complete thirty days.

This may have been because of the geographical distance between the Hijaz and Syria, which allows differences in moon sighting horizons. In addition, news from Syria could not realistically reach Madinah on the same night. Thus, their reliance was on the command of the Prophet ﷺ to begin and end fasting upon the sighting of the crescent. As he said in the agreed-upon hadith:

“Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured from you, then complete the count as thirty days.”

This instruction is not limited to the people of a specific region; rather, it is a general directive for all Muslims.

Scholars have differed regarding the legal consideration of differences in moon sighting horizons, and the details of this discussion are found in the books of Islamic jurisprudence.

This hadith shows the importance of relying on the sighting of the crescent to determine the beginnings and ends of lunar months. It also indicates that the people of each region may fast according to their own sighting of the crescent.

Despite these differences, the goal remains the same: to correctly determine when does Eid Ul Fitr start according to Islamic principles and reliable evidence.

For Muslims living in global communities, these differences are usually accepted as part of the diversity of scholarly interpretation within the Islamic tradition.

Preparing for Eid After the Last Day of Ramadan

Once the moon sighting confirms when does Eid Ul Fitr start, Muslims begin preparing for one of the most joyful days in the Islamic calendar.

Allah, the Exalted, has legislated the two Eids for noble and profound wisdoms. As for Eid al-Fitr, the people have fulfilled one of the obligations of Islam, which is fasting. Therefore, Allah, the Almighty, has made for them a day of celebration in which they rejoice and engage in permissible happiness and recreation, expressing the joy of this Eid and giving thanks to Allah for this blessing.

They rejoice because through fasting they have been purified from the sins and wrongdoings they committed. The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have their previous sins forgiven; whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have their previous sins forgiven; and whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Decree with faith and seeking reward will have their previous sins forgiven.

For this reason, Allah has made Eid al-Fitr a day in which the Muslim rejoices in the blessing of the forgiveness of sins, the elevation of ranks, and the increase of good deeds after this season of worship and devotion.

One important preparation before the Eid prayer is giving Zakat al-Fitr, a charitable donation required for every Muslim who has the means to give. This charity ensures that those in need can also celebrate Eid with dignity and happiness. 

Families often prepare new clothes, clean their homes, and plan gatherings with relatives and friends. Special foods and sweets are commonly prepared for the celebration.

On the morning of Eid, Muslims perform the Eid prayer in mosques or open prayer areas. The prayer is followed by sermons reminding the community of gratitude, unity, and compassion.

Understanding when does Eid Ul Fitr start helps families plan these preparations and ensures that the community celebrates together on the correct day.

Eid Announcements in Canada and Western Countries

For Muslims living in Western countries such as Canada, the question when does Eid Ul Fitr start often depends on announcements from Islamic councils or national organizations.

Because Muslim communities in these countries come from diverse backgrounds, different groups may follow different moon sighting authorities. Some organizations rely on reports from Muslim-majority countries, while others use local moon sighting committees.

In Canada and similar countries, Islamic organizations usually issue official Eid announcements through mosques, websites, and social media. These announcements are typically made on the evening of the 29th day of Ramadan after reviewing moon sighting reports.

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Conclusion

Eid in Islam is not merely a passing occasion in time, nor is it simply a day for amusement and play. Rather, it is a religious rite and a manifestation of rejoicing in the grace and mercy of Allah. It is also a great opportunity for the purification of hearts and for strengthening unity among people.

The question when does Eid Ul Fitr start is closely connected to the Islamic lunar calendar and the tradition of moon sighting that has guided Muslims for centuries.

Scholars determine the beginning of Eid by verifying the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the start of Shawwal. If the moon is seen on the 29th night of Ramadan, Eid begins the next day. If it is not seen, Ramadan completes thirty days before Eid begins.

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FAQs

1. When does Eid Ul Fitr start each year?

Eid Ul Fitr starts on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. The exact date depends on the sighting of the crescent moon at the end of Ramadan.

2. Why do Muslims wait for the moon sighting to determine Eid?

Moon sighting follows the traditional method used since the time of the Prophet. It ensures that Islamic months begin with the visible appearance of the new crescent.

3. Can Eid dates be predicted in advance?

Astronomical calculations can estimate when the moon may be visible, but the official confirmation usually depends on verified moon sighting reports.

4. Why do some countries celebrate Eid on different days?

Differences in moon visibility and scholarly methods can lead to slight variations in determining when does Eid Ul Fitr start in different regions.