The Ruling on Fasting During Eid and Common Misconceptions

Our religious beliefs are founded on an understanding that is based on the Qur’an and supported by reason and knowledge. However, over time, certain misconceptions, superstitions, and culturally influenced interpretations have emerged, drifting away from the true sources of the religion. The claim that fasting is not permissible on Eid days is one such misunderstanding.
One of the main arguments of those who claim that fasting on Eid days is forbidden is the idea that Eid is a day of joy and celebration, and therefore should not be spent in acts of عبادah or self-restraint. However, in Islam, the timing and form of acts of worship are determined by divine command, not by personal interpretations. There is no explicit ruling in the Qur’an that prohibits fasting on Eid days. On the contrary, a believer who wishes may fast on these days with the intention of making up missed obligatory fasts. This reflects a desire to draw closer to God. Such a choice does not contradict the spirit of celebration; rather, it represents a pursuit of spiritual maturity and inner fulfillment.
Among those who argue against fasting on Eid, there is also a belief that Satan fasts on the day of Eid. This claim is a superstition with no religious basis. In the Qur’an, Satan is described as a being who disobeyed God, acted arrogantly, and is tasked with misleading humanity until the Day of Judgment. It is inconceivable that such a being would engage in an act of worship like fasting. The belief that Satan fasts on Eid likely originated in times when religious knowledge was limited and scientific and geographical realities were not well understood. At that time, people were unaware that different parts of the world experience different time zones simultaneously. Thus, while it is Eid in one region, it may still be a fasting day in another.
Today, with the advancement of science and technology, the baseless nature of such beliefs is more easily recognized. The existence of different time zones across the world is also important for understanding the universality of religious rulings. For example, at 9:53 AM in Türkiye on the morning of Eid, a region in the western part of the world may still be experiencing the previous day, while another region in the east may have already entered Eid earlier. In such a scenario, the claim that fasting on Eid is forbidden becomes contradictory across different time zones. If this claim were true, an act considered permissible in one part of the world would be forbidden in another at the same moment. This would contradict the universal principles of Islam.
The emergence of superstitions is often linked to ignorance and misinterpretation. The belief that fasting on Eid is impermissible is an example of this. Historically, the lack of technological advancement, limited geographical knowledge, and insufficient dissemination of religious knowledge created fertile ground for such misconceptions. People accepted these ideas without questioning them and passed them down through generations.
The claim that fasting on Eid is forbidden is no different from other baseless beliefs, such as the idea that weddings cannot be held between the two Eids. Both are socially constructed notions with no authentic religious foundation, yet they have been mistakenly perceived as part of the religion over time.
In conclusion, there is no religious harm in fasting on Eid days. Such misconceptions stem from superstitions that are inconsistent with the essence of Islam and distort its universal message. Believers should derive their religious knowledge from the Qur’an rather than from superstitions, and evaluate religious rulings through an understanding supported by reason and knowledge. Those who wish to fast on Eid should do so without hesitation. The universality and rational foundation of Islam remain our most important guides in correcting such misunderstandings.