Marking the Passing of Time and Seasons (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes

Marking the passing of time and seasons

The Islamic calendar system

The Islamic faith follows a lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar used in many Western countries. This lunar-based system means that Islamic festivals and holy days shift by approximately 11 days earlier each year when compared to the solar calendar dates. This explains why Muslim celebrations occur on different dates each year in the Gregorian calendar.

Major Islamic festivals

Islam, like other world religions, marks significant times throughout the year with special celebrations. The two most important festivals in the Islamic calendar are Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Both celebrations bring Muslim communities together and hold deep religious significance.

Eid ul-Fitr - the festival of breaking

Eid ul-Fitr (also known as Id al-Fitr) represents one of the most joyous occasions in the Islamic year. This festival marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting that lasts 29 or 30 days.

When it occurs

The celebration takes place on the first day of Shawwal, which is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. It immediately follows the completion of the Ramadan fast, earning it the name "Festival of Breaking" as Muslims break their month-long fast.

How it is celebrated

During Eid ul-Fitr, Muslim families and communities engage in several meaningful traditions:

• New clothing - People dress in their finest garments, often purchasing new clothes specifically for the occasion
• Family visits - Relatives gather together to share meals and celebrate the end of the fasting period
• Gift giving - Presents are exchanged, particularly given to children
• Charitable giving - Acts of charity towards those in need form an essential part of the celebration

Connection to Islamic practices

This festival holds special significance because it connects to two of the Five Pillars of Islam:

Eid al-Adha - the great festival of sacrifice

Eid al-Adha (also called Id al-Adha or Id al-Kabir) is known as the Great Festival of Sacrifice. This celebration holds profound religious meaning and occurs during the Hajj pilgrimage in Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

Religious significance

This festival commemorates the story of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) in obedience to God's command. This account is referenced in Surah 37:100-111 of the Qur'an, where Abraham's faith and obedience are celebrated.

Ritual practices

The celebration involves specific religious rituals that connect Muslims to this historical event:

• Prayers and sermon - Special congregational prayers are held, followed by religious teachings
• Animal sacrifice - Families sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel in remembrance of Abraham's devotion
• Method of sacrifice - The animal must face towards Mecca and is killed with a single cut to the throat while God's name is recited
• Family responsibility - The head of each household either performs the sacrifice personally or arranges for a butcher to carry it out

Community sharing

An essential aspect of Eid al-Adha involves the sharing of the sacrificed animal. The meat is cooked and distributed, with portions specifically set aside for those in need. This practice reinforces the Islamic values of community care and charitable giving.