The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“إن لكل قوم عيدا وهذا عيدنا”
“Every nation has its festival, and this is our festival” – Bukhari 952, 3931, and Muslim 892. So, eat, drink, play, and enjoy yourself…obviously within the limit of shariee’ah.
‘Eid ethics include:
Doing bath before going for Solatul ‘Eid is recommended. Muwatta’ 428
Wearing the best dresses. Bukhari, 948, Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756
Eating before going out to pray on ‘Eid al-Fitr and don’t forget Zakat al Fitr. And eating after the prayer on ‘Eidhul Adha is recommended. Bukhari, 953, Ahmad 5/352, Tirmidhi 542, Ibn Maajah 1756, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Al Mishkaat 1440.
Remembrance/Dhikr; Takbeer, Tahleel, Tasbeeh… individually and aloud if you like, and not singing. The takbeer begins on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last day of the days of tashreeq (13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
Description of the dhikr is:
1-Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise).
2-Allaahu akbaru kabeera, Allaahu akbaru kabeera, Allaahu akbar wa ajallu, Allaahu akbar wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allaah is Most Great indeed, Allaah is Most Great indeed, Allaah is most Great and Glorified, Allaah is Most Great and to Allah be praise). Irwa’, 3/126.
Going out early and walking to the praying ground, if no difficulty, is preferable – Tirmidhi
Salatul ‘Eid is wajib, and when ‘Eid coincides with jum’ah, to observe jum’ah prayer in congregation is not compulsory on that day after observing Salatul ‘Eid with the congregation. When you choose to drop the option of going to Jum’ah after Salatul ‘Eid, you should not forget to observe zhuhur prayer. And Imam Jami’ have no option than to observe jum’ah for people after ‘Eid, except if there is another person to replace him.
‘Eid prayer is obligatory for men; those who do not do it with no excuse are sinning thereby. al-Majmoo’, 5/5, al-Mughni, 3/253, al-Insaaf, 5/316; al-Ikhtiyaaraat, p. 82. Q108:2 Q6:162, Ibn Jareer (12/724) and Ibn Katheer (8/502), Al-Bukhari (324) and Muslim (890), Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (16/214), Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 13/7
Women, young girls (including menstruating ones) need to go out for Salatul ‘Eid – Bukhari 324 and Muslim 890, Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shayk Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/210
Eid prayers are performed in the musalla (praying ground (not in the Mosque)), except when there was a reason or excuse (not applicable to Mekkah). Zaad al-Ma’aad by Ibn al-Qayyim, 1/441, al-Bukhari, 956; Muslim, 889, al-Fataawa al-Hindiyyah (vol. 1, p. 118), al-Mudawwanah al-Marwiyah ‘an Maalik (vol. 1, p. 171), al-Mughni (vol. 2, no. 229-230, al-Mustadrak (vol. 1, p. 295), al-Umm (vol. 1, p. 207, al-Madkhal vol. 2, 283
There is no call before the prayer on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha to tell the worshippers to attend the prayer-place. Muslim (885) Al-Bukhari (960) Muslim (886), al-Insaaf, 1/428, Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/237. Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 8/313
The Salat of al-Fitr is two rak’ahs and the prayer of al-Adha is two rak’ahs, complete and not shortened. Al-Nasaa’i, 1420 and Ibn Khuzaymah. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i.
The takbeer of al-Fitr and al-Adha is seven takbeers in the first rak’ah and five takbeers in the second, apart from the takbeer of ruku’. Abu Dawood and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 639.
Recitation of al-Fatihah, and other surah. In the first and second rak’ah
After the prayer, the imam should address the people (Khutbah). Fataawa Arkaan al-Islam p. 398; Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 8/300-316). al-Bukhaari, 958; Muslim, 885, al-Bukhari, 956.
It is mustahabb for the one who has missed the ‘Eid prayer with the imam to offer this prayer in the same manner (i.e. as the imam prayed it) congregationally or separately (except sermon). al-Bukhaari (636) and Muslim (602), Mukhtasar al-Umm (8/125), Al-Mardaawi said in al-Insaaf, al-Mughni, al-Majmoo‘ by an-Nawawi (4/420), Sharh al-Kharashi (2/104), al-Durr al-Mukhtaar ma’a Haashiyat Ibn ‘Aabideen (2/175 – Hanafi), al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (5/156), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Iftaa (8/306), Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 8/284-286, 8/306
Missing Eid prayer is different from not held at all in a community; if it is mustahabb (recommended) for those who missed it and want to make it up to do so at home (without a khutbah (sermon) afterward then it is more prescribed for those who are in a community where Eid prayer is not held at all (like non-Muslim Community or during lockdown or curfew etc.) to pray at home. Q64:16, al-Bukhaari 7288, Muslim 1337.
Offering congratulations like Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum (May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and you” Al-Fath, 2/446.
To change your route while returning from prayer. IT IS SUNNAH of my Prophet salallahu ‘alyhi wasallam. Bukhari, 986.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam did not single out the day of ‘Eid for visiting the graves, so we should not do so either. Visiting graves is an act of worship, and acts of worship are not acceptable unless they are by Sharee’ah.
The period for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night before ‘Eid until the imam enters to lead the Eid prayer. And in the case of Eid al-Adha, the takbeer begins on the first day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of tashreeq. Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 3/122, 1/121, Ahkaam al-Eidayn
Slaughtering of the animals for ‘Eid aldha start after ‘Eid prayer and end when sunset on the 13th of Dhul hijjah
It is not allowed to fast on ‘Eid day and 3 days after ‘Eidul adha (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhulhijjah) (ayam tashreeq) but it is allowed to fast on the 2nd of Shawwal (second day of Eid fitr)
My brethren, this is our festival, it is the SUNNAH to rejoice within the limit of sharee’ah, and your rejoicing should not be like mourning. Let your family, friends, Muslims around you feel the happiness. Also, regarding the situation of the nation, many are helpless, voiceless crying almost every day for what to eat. If you have the means, love for your brother what you love for yourself.
May Allah grant us an understanding of His religion.
Ibraheem Abubakr Amosa, Founder of FIQH Class Foundation. FIQH Class Foundation is an Islamic Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Nigeria.
