Sunnah Of Eid Al-Fitr
There are two Eids in Islam, which are celebrated after performing two great acts of worship. Eid Al-Fitr occurs at the end of Ramadan (the month of fasting) and the Eid Al-Adha occurs during Hajj season on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
Narrated Anas ibn Malik: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (what is the significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves with them in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.”” (Abi Dawud, 1134)
Pay Zakat al-Fitr
Ibn Umar said that “Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prescribed the payment of Zakat-ul-Fitr (on breaking the fast) of Ramadan for people, for every freeman, or slave, male and female among the Muslims-one sa' of dried dates, or one sa' of barley.” (Muslim, 984a)
Furthermore, the hadith below illustrates the obligatory to pay zakat al-Fitr before the prayer.
**1 sa' is approximate 3 kilograms.
Ibn Umar reported that “the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered that the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr should be paid before the people go out for prayer.” (Muslim, 986a)
It is not permissible to fast on Eids
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated: “The Messenger of Allah prohibited two fasts: Fasting the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr.” (At-Tirmidhi, 772)
Eat before the Eid al-Fitr prayer
It is sunnah to eat an odd number of dates before going to the Eid al Fitr prayer, not to eat on Eid al-Adha until after one performs the Eid prayer.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: “Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of Eid-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat an odd number of dates.” (Bukhari, 953)
Use different routes to the Eid prayer
Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: “On the Day of Eid the Prophet (ﷺ) used to return (after offering the Eid prayer) through a way different from that by which he went.” (Bukhari, 986)
Eid prayer is performed without Adhan or Iqamah
It was narrated that Jabir said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in praying on Eid before the Khutbah, with no Adhan and no Iqamah.” (An-Nasai, 1562)
Eid prayer is to be performed in two rakat and it is not permissible to pray before or after the Eid prayer
Narrated Ibn Abbas: “The Prophet (ﷺ) went out and offered a two rakat prayer on the Day of Eid al-Fitr and did not offer any other prayer before or after it and at that time Bilal was accompanying him.” (Bukhari, 989)
However, The Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer two rakats sunnah prayer when he got home after the Eid prayer.
The takbir during the Eid Prayer
Abdullah ibn. Amr b. al-As said: “The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘There are seven takbirs in the first rakat and five in the second rakat of the prayer offered on the day of the breaking of the fast.’” (Abi Dawud, 1151)
The Prophet (ﷺ) recitation during Eid prayer
It was narrated that Ubaidullah bin Abdullah said: “Umar went out on the day of Eid and sent word to Abu Waqid Al-Laithi asking what the Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite on this day. He said: Surah of Qaf and Surah of Al-Qamar” (Ibn Majah, 1282)
Perform the Eid prayer before the khutbah
It was narrated that Ata said: “I heard Ibn Abbas say: ‘I bear witness that I attended Eid with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ); he started with the prayer before the Khutbah, then he delivered the Khutbah.’” (An-Nasai, 1569)
The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded the women to attend the Eid prayer
Upon attending the Eid, the women should not wear perfume and clothes that are attractive. Their clothes should be moderate. The menstrual women should be keep away from the place of prayer.
Narrated Um Atiya: “We used to be ordered to come out on the Day of Eid and even bring out the virgin girls from their houses and menstruating women so that they might stand behind the men and say Takbir along with them and invoke Allah along with them and hope for the blessings of that day and for purification from sins.” (Bukhari, 971)
Advice women to give charities
Narrated Ibn Abbas: “I (in my boyhood) went out with the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed and then delivered the Khutba and then went towards the women, preached and advised them and ordered them to give alms.” (Bukhari, 975)
Pronounce the Tabkir
According to “The summary of Islamic Jurisprudence” by Dr Salih Al-Fawzan, it is sunnah for one to pronounce the unlimited number of takbir in the mosques, houses, and anywhere, where Allah’s name is mentioned. However only the men are allowed to raise their voice out loud. Furthermore, Umar (RA) used to recite the takbir until he reached the place of prayer and until the imam arrived.
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَللهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no God but Allah and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and all praise belongs only to Him.
It is permissible to offer greetings and congratulations
There is no specific greeting for Eid. The most common is “Eid Mubarak”, The Prophet (ﷺ) companions used to greet each other with the one below.
تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم
May Allah accept [good deeds] from you and us.
It was narrated from Aishah that: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon her and there were two girls with her who were beating the duff. Abu Bakr scolded them, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Leave them, for every people has an Eid.”” (An-Nasai, 1593)
Things to do during Eid:
- Perform Ghusl before going to the Eid prayer
- Wear the best outfits, men are encouraged to wear perfume but women should not wear perfume and their clothes should be moderate according to the sunnah. Many families buy new clothes for Eids to celebrate and spread love and joy.
- Eat some dates before going to the prayer, the sunnah is to eat a number of odd dates
- Pay zakat al-Fitr, it is important to pay zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer. Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory to every muslim regardless of age. Some scholars said that it is permissible to give zakat al-Fitr 2-3 days before the Eid prayer.
- Walk to the masjid using a different route on the way back
- Recite the takbir on the way to the prayer place, waiting for the imam and through the day.
- Attend the Eid prayer, the women are encouraged to attend the prayer. However, the menstrual women should stay away from the place of prayer.
- Greet and congratulate one another by saying “Eid Mubarak” or the taqabballahu minna wa minkum. There is a no specific greetings or wishings.
- Visit or call family, friends and relatives to celebrate and share the joyful moment of Eid with them.
- Exchange gifts, celebrate the Eid with family and friends and community. Spread joy with gifts and love and enjoy every moment of the day. Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Give gifts to one another and you will love one another.” (Bukhari reported it in al-Adab al-Mufrad)
With all the celebration of Eid, spending time with the loved ones, be mindful of your action, be grateful to AllahAllah, and increase Istighfar and His remembrance. Ask Allah to accept our fasts and good deeds.
Eid Mubarak!! to you and your family
Eid Mubarak!! to all the Muslim across the globe
Taqabballahu minna wa minkum