Sunnah of Eid Al-Adha

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) showed devotion to Allah and his readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) for the Sake of Allah. He obeyed Allah's command. Thus Allah replaced Ismail (AS) with a ram. Eid al-Adha also known as the Feast of Sacrifice occurs during Hajj season on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The pilgrims offer a sacrifice, as well as the muslim around the world who can offer the Qurbani. The animals to be sacrificed are sheep, lamb, goat, cow, bull or camel. A lamb, goat or sheep is consisted of one share of Qurbani, whereas a cow, bull or camel is consisted of 7 shares of Qurbani. The sacrifice is performed from the 10th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. The Qurbani meat should be distribute, to you and your families, to friends, and those who in need.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said:

“My Lord! Grand me (Offspring) from the righteous.” (37:100)

So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. (37:101)

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “ O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!” He said: “O father! Do that which you are commanded, insha Allah (if Alllah wills), you shall find me of the patient.” (37:102)

Then when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering) (37:103)

We called out to him: “O Ibrahim! (37:104)

You have fulfilled the dream!” Verily, thus do We reward the good-doers (37:105)

Verily, that indeed was the manifest trial. (37:106)

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (37:107)

And We left for him (goodly remembrance) among the later generations (37:108)

“Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim!” (37:109)

Thus indeed do We reward the good-doers) (37:110)

Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves. (37:111)

There are two Eids in Islam

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The people of the Jahiliyyah had two days each year when they would play. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Al-Madinah he said: ‘You had two days when you would play, but Allah (SWT) has given Muslims something instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.’” (An-Nasai, 1556)

Aishah narrated that: The Messenger of Allah said: “Al-Fitr is the day that the people break the fast, and Al-Adha is the day that the people sacrifice.” (At-Tirmidhi, 802)

It is prohibited to fast on Eids

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed that: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha.” (Ibn Majah, 1721)

Pray Eid before sacrifice 

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever slaughtered (his sacrifice) before the Eid prayer, should slaughter again.” A man stood up and said, “This is the day on which one has a desire for meat,” and he mentioned something about his neighbors. It seemed that the Prophet (ﷺ) I believed him. Then the same man added, “I have a young she-goat which is dearer to me than the meat of two sheep.” The Prophet (ﷺ) permitted him to slaughter it as a sacrifice. I do not know whether that permission was valid only for him or for others as well.” (Bukhari, 954)

Narrated Al-Bara: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) delivering a Khutba saying, “The first thing to be done on this day (first day of Eid al Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions).” (Bukhari, 951)

It is permissible to sacrifice at the Musalla 

It was narrated from Nafi that: Abdullah (bin Umar) told him that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to offer sacrifice in the prayer place. (An-Nasai, 1589)

Use different routes to Eid prayer

Abu Hurairah narrated: “When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)  would go out on the day of Eid by one route, he would return by another.” (At-Tirmidhi, 541)

Perform Eid prayer before Khutba 

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: “Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)  used to offer the prayer of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr and then deliver the Khutba after the prayer.” (Bukhari, 957)

It is no permissible to offer voluntary prayer before or after the Eid prayer

It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that: “The Prophet (ﷺ) went out on the day of 'Eid and prayed two rak'ahs, and he did not pray before or after them.” (An-Nasai, 1587)

The recitation of the Prophet (ﷺ) during the Eid prayer

It was narrated that Ubaidullah bin Abdullah said: “Umar, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with him, went out on the day of 'Eid and asked Abu Waqid Al-Laithi: ‘What did the Prophet (ﷺ) recite on this day?' He said: 'Qaf' and '(The Hour) has drawn near.’” (An-Nasai, 1567)

The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged the women to attend the Eid Prayer

Narrated Muhammad: Um Atiyya said: “Our Prophet (ﷺ) ordered us to come out (on Eid day) with the mature girls and the virgins staying in seclusion.” Hafsa narrated the above mentioned Hadith and added, “The mature girls or virgins stayed in seclusion but the menstruating women had to keep away from the Musalla.” (Bukhari, 974)

The Prophet (ﷺ) advised women to give charities

Abdur-Rahman bin Abbas said: “I heard 'Abbas when a man said to him: ‘Did you go out (to the Eid prayer) with the Messenger of Allah?' He said: ‘Yes, and were it not for my kinship (position) with him I would not have done so’” -meaning due to him being so young- “He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) went to the mark near the house of Kathir bin As-Salt and prayed, then delivered a Khutbah. Then he went to the women. He exhorted them and reminded them and told them to give charity. So a woman would bring her hand near her neck and take off her necklace and put it in the garment of Bilal.” (An-Nasai, 1586

Eat after the Eid prayer

On Eid al-Fitr, it is sunnah to eat before going to the prayer, however on Eid al-Adha, the sunnah is to eat after the prayer one to eat part of sacrifice offered.

Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated from his father: “The Prophet (ﷺ) would not leave on the Day of Fitr until he ate, and he would not eat on the day of Adha until he prayed.” (At-Tirmidhi,  542)

Pronounce the Tabkir 

It was narrated from Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the Takbir seven times and five times in the Eid prayer. (Ibn Majah, 1278)

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 (AS) 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 sunnah to pronounce the takbir after the obligatory prayer from the Fajr on the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhul Hijjah) until the Asr prayer on the 13th  of Dhul Hijjah 

It is permissible to offer greeting and congratulation

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.

Aisha reported that “Abu Bakr came to her and there were with her two girls on Adha days who were singing and beating the tambourine and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had wrapped himself with his mantle. Abu Bakr scolded them. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) uncovered (his face) and said: Abu Bakr, leave them alone for these are the days of Eid. And Aisha said: I recapitulate to my mind the fact that once the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) screened me with his mantle and I saw the sports of the Abyssinians, and I was only a girl, and so you can well imagine how a girl of tender age is fond of watching the sport.” (Muslim, 892 c)

Things to do during Eid:

• Perform Ghusl before going to 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. 
• Walk to the masjid using different route on the way back
• Recite the takbir on the way to the prayer place and waiting for the imam and during the obligatory prayers.
• Attend the Eid prayer, the women are encourage to attend the prayer even the menstrual women, but they should stay away from the place of prayer.
• Perform the sacrifice, and distribute it to the needy, family and friends
• Eat after the Eid prayer, the sunnah is to eat after the Eid prayer on Eid al Adha from the parts of the sacrifice. To eat some dates before going to the prayer on Eid al Fitr.
• Greet and congratulate one another by saying “Eid Mubarak” or the taqabballahu minna wa minkum
• Visit or call family, friends and relative to celebrate and share the joyful moment of Eid.
• Exchange gifts, celebrate the Eid with family and friends and community. Spread joy with gifts and love. Narrated Abu Hurairah (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 be mindful of your action, be grateful to Allah and increase His remembrance. Increase Istighfar and ask Allah to accept our fasts and good deeds.

Eid Mubarak!! to you and your family, May Allah increase His blessings upon you and your family.