Let's understand when Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated according to the Islamic calendar. This festival marks the end of a very important period for Muslims, which is the month of fasting.

Understanding Eid-ul-Fitr and the Islamic Calendar

Eid-ul-Fitr is a significant religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. This is different from the Gregorian solar calendar we commonly use.

The timing of Islamic events, including Eid-ul-Fitr, depends entirely on the sighting of the moon, which determines the start and end of each month.

The Month of Eid-ul-Fitr

The question asks on which Islamic month's first day Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated. Eid-ul-Fitr directly follows the month of Ramadan, which is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk.

After completing the fasting throughout the month of Ramadan, the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr begins on the first day of the subsequent month. This subsequent month is called Shawwal.

So, Eid-ul-Fitr is always celebrated on the 1st day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. The sighting of the new moon signifies the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, triggering the start of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

Examining the Options

Let's look at the given options and see why Shawwal is the correct one:

• Muharram: This is the first month of the Islamic calendar and marks the Islamic New Year.
• Safar: This is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
• Rabi-al-Awwal: This is the third month of the Islamic calendar, significant for the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Shawwal: This is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and immediately follows Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on its first day.

Based on the structure of the Islamic calendar and the observance of Eid-ul-Fitr after Ramadan, the celebration falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal.

Conclusion

Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Revision Table: Islamic Months and Eids

Additional Information: The Islamic Calendar and Moon Sighting

The Islamic calendar relies on the sighting of the crescent moon to determine the start of each month. This is why the exact date of Eid-ul-Fitr (and other Islamic dates) varies each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar. The month of Ramadan ends when the new moon is sighted, signalling the beginning of Shawwal and thus Eid-ul-Fitr. If the moon cannot be sighted due to weather or other reasons, the month of Ramadan is completed to 30 days, and Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated the following day.

Another major Eid is Eid-ul-Adha, which is celebrated in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.