Sunnah for Eid
As we are faced with the last hours of Ramadan, we should also remind ourselves about Eid ul-Fitr and the things we should do to greet it and to celebrate it. Although we should be thankful all year round, Eid is like a Muslim Thanksgiving Day. On this day, we glorify & thank Allah for all that He has bestowed upon us, from wealth, health, good relations, the hidayah to do good deeds in the month of Ramadan, etc.
Below are a few of the Sunnah of Eid:
- Make ghusl
Take a shower before heading out to the Eid prayer. Also wear clean (not necessarily new) clothes and adorn yourself with perfume. [quote]“The Messenger of Allâh ordered us to wear the best clothes we could find for the two ‘Eids and to apply the best perfume we could find and to sacrifice the best animal we could find.” This is related by al-Haakim
[/quote] [quote]Ibn al-Qayyim writes: “The Prophet used to wear his most beautiful clothes for them and he had a special cloak that he would wear on the two ‘Eids and Jumu’ah.”[/quote] - Use the miswak for prayer.
- Eat (preferably an odd number of dates) before going for the Eid prayer.
While it is sunnah not to eat before you pray the Eid Adha prayer, for Eid Fitr is different. The symbolic act of eating before going for the Eid Fitr prayer is to show that you are no longer fasting, unlike the previous month. The Prophet SAW used to eat an odd number of dates before he led the prayer. [quote]Buraidah reports: “The Prophet would not go out on the day of breaking the fast (‘Eidul Fitr) until he had eaten and on the day of sacrifice (‘Eidul adh-haa) he would not eat until he had returned [from salah].” This is related by at-Tirmithee and Ibn Majah, and also by Sunan Ad-Daaramee who added: “And he would eat from his sacrifice.”[ Sharhus Sunnah: vol. 4, p. 306][/quote] - Making Takbeer during the days of ‘Eid
It is a sunnah to say the takbeer on ‘Eid days. [quote]Allah says: “You should complete the prescribed period and that you should glorify Allâh [i.e., say takbeer] for having guided you and that you may give thanks.” Al-Baqarah: 2: 185.
[/quote] Scholars opine that you should start the takbeer from the night of Eid until the Imam starts the Eid prayer the next morning. - Women & children to also attend the Eid prayer. (Even if you’re menstruating!)
[quote]Umm ‘Ateeyah reports: “We were ordered to go out with the single and menstruating women to the two ‘Eids in order to witness the good and the supplications of the Muslims. The menstruating women would be separate from the others.” [This is related by Sahih al-Bukhari: vol. 2, p. 48, no. 91.][/quote] - Take different routes when going & returning of the Eid prayer.
[quote]Jabir reports: “On the days of ‘Eid, the Prophet would take different routes.” [This is related by Sahih al-Bukhari: vol. 2, p. 54, no. 102.][/quote]The significance of this is so that you will meet different groups of people and to give thanks & to supplicate & wish them well.
[quote]Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him), when people met one another on the day of Eid, they would say, ‘Taqabbal Allâhu minnaa wa minka (May Allâh accept from us and from you).’” (Ibn Hajar. Fathul Baaree: vol.2, p. 446).[/quote] - Multiple takbeer during the Eid prayer
[quote]‘Aishah said: “The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam would say the takbeer seven times in the first raka’ah and five times in the second raka’ah on the day of the breaking of the fast and on the day of sacrifice on theoccasion of both the ‘Eid prayers, the two festivals.” [Sunan Abu Dawud: (Eng.): vol. 1, pp. 296-7, no. 1145.][/quote] - Khutbah of Eid prayer
The khutbah after salaatul ‘Eid is a sunnah and so is listening to it.
Please also do pay your Zakat ul-Fitr before the Eid prayer! As the Prophet SAW said, “(The deeds of ) Fasting in Ramadan is hung between heaven and earth and it shall not be lifted but after paying Zakah.”
May Allah accept all our deeds in this past month and make us of the grateful ones. May He lengthen our lives in obedience so that we may meet many more Ramadans. May He not allow us to leave this month with even a speck of sin left in our accounts. May He purify us, and forgive us, and bless us, and grant us deliverance from the Fire. May He restore relations between families, grant victory to the oppressed and reward each soul for their pains & struggle.
Have a happy Eid everyone!
