Eid is truly a time to unify and bring about camaraderie in the community. It is a time of serenity and reflection. The month of Ramadan gives believers the opportunity to perfect one's inner self and character. Patience, generosity, kindness and feeding or assisting others have been tested and tried in the month of Ramadan. If passed, gratitude must be shown to Allah (swt) for the ability to be guided towards personal growth.
Just the word ‘Eid’ brings a smile to the face of any Muslim during the last few days of Ramadan. Many of us have already started decorating our houses, ordering our Eid outfits and are waiting for that all-important text message about the arrival of this special day. However, putting on our best clothes and celebrating are not the only things we should do on Eid day. We will look at some of the Sunnah acts to do on the day of Eid.
Make du’a on the night of Eid - It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever spends the nights of the two ‘Eid in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.” (Grade: Da’if )
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الْمَرَّارُ بْنُ حَمُّويَهْ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُصَفَّى، حَدَّثَنَا بَقِيَّةُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَعْدَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَتَىِ الْعِيدَيْنِ لِلَّهِ مُحْتَسِبًا لَمْ يَمُتْ قَلْبُهُ يَوْمَ تَمُوتُ الْقُلُوبُ " .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1782; Book 7, Hadith 1854
Make Ghusl before the Eid Salah - As Muslims, cleanliness is a fundamental part of our religion. It was narrated 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.” (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَمَّارُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ غُرَابٍ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ أَبِي الأَخْضَرِ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ السَّبَّاقِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَمَنْ جَاءَ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ وَإِنْ كَانَ طِيبٌ فَلْيَمَسَّ مِنْهُ وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ " .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1098; Book 5, Hadith 1152
We are encouraged to do the same and, in doing so, we make sure that gatherings and family festivities are an enjoyable affair.
Wearing new Clothes - On this day of joy and happiness put new clothes after doing ghusl. If the clothes are new then it’s good. If new clothes are not available then one must wear the best clothes and on those best clothes.
Putting on Attar - Just as our Prophet Muhammad (saw) applied Attar (perfume) on Eid occasions, men are also encouraged to do the same, to create a pleasant aura in the masjid. It was narrated 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.” (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَمَّارُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ غُرَابٍ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ أَبِي الأَخْضَرِ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ السَّبَّاقِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَمَنْ جَاءَ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ وَإِنْ كَانَ طِيبٌ فَلْيَمَسَّ مِنْهُ وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ " .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1098; Book 5, Hadith 1152
Eating before prayer - For Eid ul-Fitr, it is Sunnah to eat something before the prayer so as not to extend the fast. It was narrated that Abu ‘Ubaid said: “I was present for ‘Eid with ‘Umar bin Khattab. He started with the prayer before the sermon, and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on these two days, the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. As for the Day of Fitr, it is the day when you break your fast, and on the Day of Adha you eat the meat of your sacrifices.’” (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا سَهْلُ بْنُ أَبِي سَهْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، قَالَ شَهِدْتُ الْعِيدَ مَعَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ نَهَى عَنْ صِيَامِ هَذَيْنِ الْيَوْمَيْنِ يَوْمِ الْفِطْرِ وَيَوْمِ الأَضْحَى أَمَّا يَوْمُ الْفِطْرِ فَيَوْمُ فِطْرِكُمْ مِنْ صِيَامِكُمْ وَيَوْمُ الأَضْحَى تَأْكُلُونَ فِيهِ مِنْ لَحْمِ نُسُكِكُمْ .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1722; Book 7, Hadith 1793
Zakat-ul-fitr (Fitrana) - It was narrated that: Ibn Abbas said: “The Messenger 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.” (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ بَشِيرِ بْنِ ذَكْوَانَ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ الأَزْهَرِ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو يَزِيدَ الْخَوْلاَنِيُّ، عَنْ سَيَّارِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الصَّدَفِيِّ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ .
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1827; Book 8, Hadith 45; Vol. 3, Book 8, Hadith 1827
It is also narrated by Ibn `Umar: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has made Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, (and it was), either one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of dates (and its payment was obligatory) on young and old people, and on free men as well as on slaves.
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَدَقَةَ الْفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ، أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ عَلَى الصَّغِيرِ وَالْكَبِيرِ وَالْحُرِّ وَالْمَمْلُوكِ.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1512; Book 24, Hadith 113; Vol. 2, Book 25, Hadith 588
Takbeer - On the way to the masjid, Takbeer ul-Eid should be recited softly. The Eid Takbeer is: ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La Ilaaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd’
Routes to Eid Salah - Narrated Jabir (RA): On an 'Eid day, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would return by a different road from the one he had taken when going out (for the 'Eid prayer.) [Reported by al-Bukhari; Reference : Bulugh al-Maram Book 2, Hadith 425; Book 2, Hadith 497] The reasoning behind this is so that on The Day of Judgement the two paths will testify that you attended this salah.
Perform Eid Salah - Eid Salah must not be missed, as it is a fundamental part of Eid festivities. On the day of joy and happiness, it does not mean that on that day a Muslim can forget Allah Almighty. Praying to Allah on the day of Eid means that a Muslim understands and realizes the fact that all the joy and pleasure in his life is a blessing of Allah and He needs to be thanked for it. Jabir b. Samura said: I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayers on two I'ds more than once or twice without there being Adhan and Iqama.
وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَحَسَنُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ، سَمُرَةَ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْعِيدَيْنِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ وَلاَ مَرَّتَيْنِ بِغَيْرِ أَذَانٍ وَلاَ إِقَامَةٍ .
Reference: Sahih Muslim 887; Book 8, Hadith 7; Book 4, Hadith 1929
From hadith we can conclude that offering Eid prayer is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), hence, every Muslim should offer this prayer and start this holy occasion with the worship of Allah.
Offering Eid Prayer - 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.'" (Grade: Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَيُّوبَ، يُخْبِرُ عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي شَهِدْتُ الْعِيدَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ ثُمَّ خَطَبَ .
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1569; Book 19, Hadith 14; Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 1570
It was also narrated from ‘Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said the Takbir seven and five times in (the prayer for ‘Eid) Fitr and Adha, apart from the Takbir for Ruku’ (bowing). (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، وَعُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَبَّرَ فِي الْفِطْرِ وَالأَضْحَى سَبْعًا وَخَمْسًا سِوَى تَكْبِيرَتَىِ الرُّكُوعِ .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1280; Book 5, Hadith 1339
In another hadith, It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite in the ‘Eid prayer “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.” [Al-A’la (87)] and “Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming?” [Al-Ghashiyah (88)] (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ خَلاَّدٍ الْبَاهِلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعُ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُبَيْدَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَطَاءٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ بِـ {سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى } وَ {هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ } .
Reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1283; Book 5, Hadith 134
Congratulating each other - On Eid day, we often congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’. However, a better way to greet each other is to take the example of the Sahabah (ra). It was narrated by Jubayr ibn Nufayr (ra), that the Sahabah (ra) used to greet each other on the day of Eid with: ‘Taqabbal Allaahu Minnaa Wa Minkum’ ,which means ‘May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from us and from you’. (Fathul-Bari)
Visiting one another: On the day of happiness nothing wrong with visiting relatives, neighbors and friends. This is something that people used to do on the Eid, and it was said that this is one of the reasons for changing one’s route when coming back from the Eid prayer place so that he could meet and greet as many people as possible on the day of Eid.
Rest Allah knows best.
May Allah give us the strength to celebrate this joyful occasion in its best manner! Ameen
Source: Sunnah.com
Please visit the following websites for better understanding:
#https://www.almohsinun.com/post/conditions-of-giving-zakah
#https://www.almohsinun.com/post/zakat-an-act-of-worshiping-allah-swt