In this article we have outlined the sunnahs of Eid and how we should conduct ourselves with a special section mentioning what to do if Eid occurs on a Friday as Eid is likely to fall on Friday 20th March – Eid Mubarak in advance!
About Eid ul Fitr
Eid ul Fitr occurs on the 1st of Shawwaal and is a day in which people should rejoice within the boundaries set by Allah. It marks the completion of fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Before Eid arrives, make sure you have paid Zakaat ul Fitr, as it should have been paid before the Eid prayer.
Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the ‘Eid prayer. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.585]
The head of the household should pay for each dependent in his household, even a small child or baby. The amount is calculated based upon handfuls the local staple food, and Islamic Centre Edgware has set this as £5 per person. So, a family of four, a man, his wife and two children, will need to pay £20.
It should be paid with enough time that the people who are eligible for it will be able to use it to celebrate Eid themselves. It can be paid during the end of Ramadan. More details on zakat ul fitr can be found here.
It is recommended to perform a full bath (ghusl) on the morning of Eid.
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. [Al-Muwatta’ 428]
Al- Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb (recommended) to do ghusl for Eid prayer.
New or best clothes should be worn.
It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. [Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756]
Al-Bayhaqi also narrated that the companions Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.
So, a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid.
With regard to women, they too should wear their best clothes however they should take care not to exceed the boundaries of what is permissible to wear in public. Therefore, they should avoid perfume, make up or clothes which may attract the attention of non-mahram men.
On Eid al-Fitr it is mustahabb (recommended) to eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the Eid prayer, because the Prophet (ﷺ) did not set out on the day of Eid until he had eaten an odd number of dates.
Anas bin Malik narrated that 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 used to eat odd number of dates. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.73]
This is to differentiate the day of Eid from the days of fasting.
A special prayer is held on the day of Eid that should be attended if possible. It is a day of worship and being grateful to Allah for His many blessings. Women are also encouraged to go to the Eid prayer as long as all of the Islamic conditions are fulfilled especially relating to dressing and interacting.
Families welcome – ladies hall will be available for women but as with all halls, this will be subject to capacity.
The Eid Prayer is a two unit prayer with extra takbeers followed by a khutbah (sermon)
The person should recite their supplications of the Tahleel, (La illaaha illa Allah), Tahmeed, (Alhamdulillah), Tasbeeh, (Subhaanallah) and Takbeer, (Allahu Akbar) until the Imam comes out.
Details on how to perform the prayer at the end of this article.
After the Eid prayers, Men often embrace one another after the prayer and give Eid greetings – women do the same with other women. It will sufficient to congratulate each other instead with the same words used by the companions.
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” (Taqabbul Allaahu Minaa wa minkum)
It is recommended to walk to the prayer, and return from the Eid prayer via a different route
Jabir bin Abdullah said: 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. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.102]
It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.
Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to go out to the Eid (prayer) walking and come back walking. [Sunan Ibn Maajah Hadith 1295]
It is better for us to walk to the masjid since we are rewarded for every single step. However, if we do drive to the masjid we should not cause a nuisance and park inconsiderably causing inconvenience to others.
‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said: It is Sunnah to go out to the Eid (prayer) walking. [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 530]
Because Eid is a time for celebration, it is customary to invite and share the feast with family, enjoying ourselves, but in a halaal way that does not impinge upon the forbidden. Children should be given money and gifts to keep them happy and to make it feel like a celebration.
If Eid falls on a Friday, is the Jumu’ah prayer still obligatory?
The Eid prayer and the Jumu’ah prayers involve people coming together from the surrounding areas to a central location to perform the salaah. This means that some people from surrounding villages would attend the prayer that would take a considerable amount of time for travel. There are some narrations which stated that those who attended the Eid Salaah were not required to return for Jumu’ah.
Narrated Abu ‘Ubaid: …Then I witnessed the ‘Eid with `Uthman bin ‘Affan, and that was on a Friday. He offered the prayer before the sermon, saying, “O people! Today you have two ‘Eids (festivals) together, so whoever of those who live at Al-‘Awali (suburbs) would like to wait for the Jumu’ah prayer, he may wait, and whoever would like to return (home) Is granted my permission to do so.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, 5572]
It was narrated that Iyas bin Abi Ramlah Ash-Shami said: “I heard a man asking Zaid bin Arqam: ‘Were you present with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when there were two ‘Eid on one day?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘What did he do?’ He said: ‘He prayed the ‘Eid prayer, then he granted a concession not to pray the Friday, then he said: “Whoever wants to pray (Friday), let him do so.”’ [Sunan Ibn Majah, 1310]
Based upon these narrations and their understanding, the early great scholars who had large followings due to their deep knowledge had the following views. Imams Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik and Imam Shafi’ie held that Jumu’ah should be attended with the exemption only to those who had to travel a significant distance which took a great deal of time.
Imam Ahmed held that Jumu’ah is not obligatory to attend and the exemption was general. However it must be noted that as a general rule Imam Ahmed also held that males are required to perform all the daily prayer in their local mosque rather than home.
In conclusion, it should be noted that attending the Jumu’ah prayer is obligatory and for those that have a dispensation, if they were to undertake the journey, certainly prayer in a large Jama’ah is better.
The Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer is prayer behind an Imam similar to jumu’ah except that the Khutbah (speech) is after the prayer and there are extra takbeers in the two- unit prayer.
As for the way we will be performing the Eid prayers, it will be as follows:
After the first takbeer the hands are folded and thanaa is recited.
Then there are three other takbeers for which the hands are raised and left loose at the sides for the first two and hands folded on the third one.
The ta’awwudh, bismillah and al-Faatiha are recited as normal, followed by rukoo and sujood.
The second rak’at is as normal until the al-Faatiha and surah, after which there are three additional takbeers with hands loose at the sides, before the fourth takbeer to go into rukoo.
The rest of the prayer as is done normally.
The management and volunteers of Islamic Centre Edgware wish you and your families a blessed Eid!