On Eid morning, phones start buzzing before the prayer is even over. Most of it is the same forwarded image going round every family group. If you'd like to send something a bit more personal, here are greetings and short messages you can use as they are or change to suit.
Traditional greetings and what they mean
| Greeting | Language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Mubarak (عيد مبارك) | Arabic, used everywhere | Blessed Eid |
| Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum (تقبّل الله منّا ومنكم) | Arabic | May Allah accept from us and from you |
| Kull 'am wa antum bi-khayr (كل عام وأنتم بخير) | Arabic | May every year find you well |
| Eid Sa'id (عيد سعيد) | Arabic | Happy Eid |
| Eid Mubarak, Choti Eid Mubarak | Urdu and Hindi | Blessed Eid, blessed "small" Eid |
| Bayramınız mübarek olsun | Turkish | May your festival be blessed |
| Selamat Hari Raya | Malay | Happy Hari Raya |
| Selamat Idul Fitri, mohon maaf lahir dan batin | Indonesian | Happy Eid, please forgive me outwardly and inwardly |
| Barka da Sallah | Hausa | Congratulations on the prayer (said on Eid) |
The greeting with the strongest roots is Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum. Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ would say it to one another when they met on Eid. Scholars such as Ibn Hajar mention this narration with a good chain. The traditional reply is the same words back, or simply "minna wa minkum".
For family
Eid Mubarak. Ramadan went far too quickly this year. May Allah accept every fast and every prayer from all of us, and keep this family together for many more Eids.
Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum, Ammi and Abbu. Thank you for every suhoor you woke us up for. We love you.
Eid Mubarak to my favourite people. Save me a plate. I'll be there before the sheer khurma runs out.
Kull 'am wa antum bi-khayr. Missing you all this Eid. Can't wait to celebrate together next year, in sha Allah.
For friends
Eid Mubarak. Thank you for all the iftars, the late-night taraweeh and the terrible jokes in between. May this Eid bring you everything good.
We made it. Eid Mubarak. May Allah accept your Ramadan and make the year ahead easy for you.
Eid Mubarak. Remember me in your duas, and I'll remember you in mine.
For colleagues and neighbours
Wishing you and your family a happy Eid. Thank you for your patience and support during Ramadan. It really did make a difference.
Eid Mubarak. Our family is celebrating the end of Ramadan today, and we'd love to share some sweets with you. I'll drop a plate round this afternoon.
For a non-Muslim colleague who wished you well: Thank you so much, that's really kind. Eid is the festival at the end of Ramadan, so today is all about family, food and gratitude.
For someone spending Eid alone or grieving
Eid can be hard for people who've lost someone, who are far from home, or who are going through a difficult time. A short, honest message often means more than a cheerful one.
Thinking of you today. I know this Eid is different without your mum. May Allah have mercy on her and give you strength. I'm here if you want company.
Eid Mubarak. I know you're far from family this year. You're always welcome at ours. We eat at two.
No need to reply. I just wanted you to know I'm making dua for you today.
A few things worth avoiding
- Forwarding unverified "hadith" in Eid images. If you can't find the source, don't send it on.
- Images or videos with music or anything you'd be uncomfortable showing your grandmother.
- Sending the same message to a hundred people at once. Ten personal messages are worth more.
However you say it, the heart of every Eid greeting is the same: may Allah accept from us and from you. Eid Mubarak.