Which festivals do Muslims celebrate and why?
The origins and meaning of the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura, how they are celebrated, and their differing importance in Sunni and Shia Islam.
A focused answer on Muslim festivals for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the meaning and celebration of Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain the origins, meaning and celebration of Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura, and to note how they differ in importance for Sunni and Shia Muslims. The Sunni and Shia contrast, especially over Ashura, is a frequent exam point.
Id-ul-Fitr
The festival begins when the new moon is sighted. Its meaning is gratitude and renewal: having spent a month in self-discipline, prayer and reflection, Muslims celebrate God's help and turn the discipline of Ramadan into ongoing good living. The charity given beforehand ensures the celebration includes the whole community, rich and poor.
Id-ul-Adha
The festival teaches submission and trust in Allah, following Ibrahim's example, and links every Muslim to the pilgrims completing Hajj in Makkah. Sharing the meat with the needy expresses charity and community.
Ashura
Ashura falls on the tenth day of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims it is a recommended day of fasting, linked to Allah saving Musa and the Israelites. For Shia Muslims it is the most important commemoration, mourning the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad, killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Shia Muslims hold processions, mourning gatherings and re-enactments, seeing Husayn's stand as a model of resisting injustice and tyranny.
This difference over Ashura is the clearest example of how the Sunni and Shia split shapes practice as well as belief, so it is worth keeping ready for the exam. For Sunnis, Ashura is a minor, voluntary fast; for Shia Muslims, it is a major annual commemoration that defines their identity and their commitment to justice. Be careful to describe Shia mourning rituals respectfully and accurately. More broadly, link the festivals back to the Five Pillars: Id-ul-Fitr completes the pillar of Sawm (fasting), and Id-ul-Adha falls at the climax of the pillar of Hajj and re-enacts the obedience of Ibrahim, whose example also lies behind several Hajj rituals. Showing these connections, rather than treating each festival in isolation, is what lifts an answer into the higher mark bands.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20172 marksWhat does Id-ul-Adha commemorate?Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Id-ul-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, who provided a ram instead. One mark for Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, the second for the obedience to Allah or the ram provided. It falls at the end of Hajj.
AQA 20194 marksExplain why Ashura is especially important to Shia Muslims. Refer to scripture or another source of Islamic belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: Ashura mourns the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad, killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, a defining event in Shia history and identity. Reason two: it expresses Shia values of standing against injustice and tyranny, with processions, mourning and re-enactments that renew commitment. Markers reward two distinct, developed points plus a source (Shia tradition and history). Note Sunnis keep Ashura only as a recommended fast.
AQA 202212 marks"Id-ul-Fitr is the most important festival for Muslims." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to Islamic teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Id-ul-Fitr celebrates completing the demanding fast of Ramadan, the month the Qur'an was revealed, and unites families and communities in thanksgiving and charity. Arguments against: Id-ul-Adha links to Hajj and the example of Ibrahim, the model of submission, and involves sacrifice and feeding the poor; for Shia Muslims, Ashura may be the most significant commemoration. Use terms (Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha, Ashura, Sawm, Hajj). Reach a justified conclusion that weighs the festivals and notes the Sunni and Shia difference.
Related dot points
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A focused answer on the Five Pillars for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, plus the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam.
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A focused answer on jihad for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the meaning of jihad, greater and lesser jihad, the conditions for lesser jihad and common misunderstandings.
- The role and importance of the mosque, the features of worship including Salah, wudu and the call to prayer, and the place of Friday prayers (Jummah).
A focused answer on Muslim worship for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the mosque and its features, Salah, wudu, the call to prayer and Friday Jummah prayers.
- Akhirah (life after death), the Day of Judgement, resurrection, the importance of human responsibility and accountability, and Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
A focused answer on the Muslim afterlife for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering Akhirah, the Day of Judgement, resurrection, Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)