Eid al Fitr: How to celebrate Eid in Islamic way
Eid-al-Fitr is also known as the festival of breaking fast as it marks the end of Ramadan. It is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawal. After confirmed sighting new moon month of shawal is started, and it is a sign of the end of Ramadan. Governments announce the Eid celebration. It is the reward of Allah for Muslims who spend the whole month in fasting and prayer. It is the day of thankfulness to Allah, unity, and sharing love and happiness.
When Eid day starts, people wear their new clothes. Many Muslims go to Mosques and communal prayer centers and listen to a sermon(khutbah) and offer Eid prayer. After prayer, all people greet each other saying,” Eid Mubarak” ( عيد مبارك )(blessed Eid) and pay charity of fitr or fitrana for poor. Some people exchange gifts and visit their family heads and relatives. Children enjoy this Eid, and they receive cash gifts from their elders. Women at home cook sweet dishes; that’s why sometimes it is called “Sweet Eid.”
Celebrating Eid al Fitr in Islamic way
Preparing to go to Eid Al Fitr Salat
- Wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
- Brush the teeth with a Miswak/ toothbrush.
One narration is that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘This day is an ‘Eid (festival) which Allah has ordained for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday (prayer), let him take a bath, and if he has perfume, then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the tooth stick.”
- While celebrating Eid wear their best dress, if one can afford must wear new clothing. Jaabir(R.A) narrated that:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and Fridays.
Al-Bayhaqi narrated that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.
Men must wear their best dress or new dress while going out for prayer. For women, they can also wear the best dresses and can beautify themselves, but while going out, they must not show off any of their adornments.
Eat before going for prayer
It is part of Islamic etiquette that eat something before going for prayer on Eid al-Fitr. The best practice is to eat some dates because it is sunnah. As Anas ibn Maalik narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) used not to go out on the morn of Eid ul-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, of which he eat an odd number.
Al-Bukhaari, 953
This practice was to demonstrate that fast has ended because Muslims are forbidden to fast in Eids. Whoever has no dates available can eat anything else.
Zakat-al-Fitr /Fitrana
“Zakat ul Fitr” translates to charity given to break a fast. Fitrana is an obligatory donation given before Eid prayers. The reason is that needy people can be able to join others in Eid ul Fitr celebrations. Ibn Umar narrated that:
The Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr(fitrana) before going to the Eid prayer.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1509
The minimum amount is one sa (four double handfuls ) of food, grain, or dried fruit for every member of each family. (One sa’ is approximately equal to 2.25kg flour( can pay in form or rate of barley, dates, raisins, and cheese))Ibn ‘Umar narrated that:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered 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
Sahih Muslim 984 a
Zakat ul fitr is obligatory to pay before eid prayer. As Ibn Abbas narrated:
The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined Zakatul-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.
sanun Ibn Majah 1827
Going for prayer
While going for eid prayer, Shahabahs common practice was to recite takbeerat in the loud sound. It is advisable to recite from the sighting shawal moon to the entrance of imam for prayer.” Allah o Akbar Allah o Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allah o Akbar Allaho Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd”
Prophet(ﷺ) use to change his route for going and returning from Eid prayer as narrated in some of the Hadiths. Abu Hurairah narrated:
When Messenger(PBUH) would go out on the Eid day by one route, he would return by another.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 541
Wisdom behind that is:
- Can visit relatives
- Show the grace and power of Islam to non-Muslims.
- Can greet more people
- Meet needy one to help on eid day.
Eid Prayer
Eid prayer is a two rakah prayer. The difference from other prayers is that it has no adhan and iqama. Moreover, it has additions takbeers. Eid gaa or open area should be prefer to offer this Namaz.
Ibn ‘Abbas (RA)narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) offered the ‘Eid prayer without an Adhan or an Iqamah.
Abu Dawud
It was narrated that ‘Umar said:
The prayer while traveling is 2 Rakah, and Friday is 2 Rakah, and ‘Eid is two Rakah. They are complete and not shortened, as told by Muhammad (ﷺ).
Offering congratulations
It was narrated from many shahabahs that they greet each other with these words “Taqabbal Allahu min na wa min kum,” “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and you.” Muslims of different region greet in their own words. That is not forbidden. Greet each other and greet in return to those who greet you.
Enjoy Good Food and Gatherings
Islam permits us to enjoy, eat, and drink what we want on Eid day also. What forbidden is that keep distance from haram only. A narration from Hazrat Aisha is that:
Prophet (ﷺ) entered upon her, and two girls with her were beating the duff. Abu Bakar scolded them, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Leave them, for every people, has an ‘Eid.”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 159
Another place narrated that Hazrat Aisha said :
The black people came and played in front of the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of ‘Eid. He called me, and I watched them from over his shoulder, and I continued to watch them until I was the one who moved away.
Sunan an-Nasa’i 1594
Nubayshah al-Hudhali (RA) said:
The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said: The days of at-Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.
Muslim (1141)
Give thanks to Allah
Eid day is not only meant for enjoyment but actually, it is to own all worship one has done in Ramadan. It is the day to thanks Almighty Allah for what he has given us. 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.
Sunan an-Nasa’i 1567
Abu Umamah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Whoever spends the nights of the two Eid(Fitr and Adha) in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die. (Grade daaif(weak))
May Allah accept our good deeds and may add us in His thankful salves.
