Sunnah Practices On the Day of Eid

Eid-ul-Fitr has been officially endorsed as an Islamic festival by the Shariah*. It is a day when Muslims express happiness and joy in fulfilling their duties unto Allah Ta’aala.

Sunnah practices on the day of Eid

 To wake up as early as possible.
 To take Ghusl (Bath).
 To use the Miswaak.
 To apply Itr (perfume)
 To wear one’s best clothes (not necessarily new), ensuring that it conforms to the Shariah (Sunnah dress).
 To eat something sweet (such as dates) before departing for Eid Salaah.
 To perform Eid Salaah at the “Eid Gah*” .
 To discharge “Zakat al-Fitr” before the Eid Salaah.
 To choose a separate route when returning from the Eid Gah.
 To walk to the Eid Gah. However, there is no harm in using a conveyance if the Eid Gah is at a distance.
 To recite Takbeer en route to the Eid Gah (softly for Eid ul- Fitr; loudly for Eid ul - Adha)


The Nights of Eid

Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “The heart of the person who remains awake (in worship) during the night of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha will not die (on the Day of Qiyaamah) when all hearts will be dead.” (Targhib)

The nights of Eid are auspicious occasions which should be spent in Ibadah (worship) and Dua. The special Rahmat (mercy) of Allah Ta’aala engulfs those who spend the night or part of this night in Ibadah. These auspicious occasions should, therefore, not be allowed to pass by while we are indulging in idleness, futility and sinful activities. Excessive repentance and fervent Dua for the suffering Ummah should be observed during these valuable opportunities. May Allah Ta’aala grant us Taufeeq (ability). Aameen.

>Terms:

*Sharia (Arabic: شريعة‎ šarīʿah, IPA: [ʃaˈriːʕa], is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting. Though interpretations of sharia vary between cultures, in its strictest definition it is considered the infallible law of God—as opposed to the human interpretation of the laws.

*In Islamic culture, an Eidgah or Idgah (Urdu: عید گاہ‎) is an open-air mosque usually outside the city (or at the outskirts) to perform the Salat al Eid (Eid prayers) for Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is usually a public place. At the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate by first offering prayers at an Eidgah. It is a large open ground for people to assemble and offer their prayers early in the morning on the Eid day. It was a practice of the Prophet Muhammad to perform the Eid salaah (prayer) in an Eidgah at the outskirts of the city. Hence, it is considered a sunnah to perform Eid salaah at the Eidgah. The very first Eidgah was at the outskirts of Medina nearly 1000 footsteps from Masjid al Nabawi.

There are several guidelines for Eidgahs in Sharia:  Complying to the Sunnah, performing of the Eid Salaah on the outskirts of the town is better and more virtuous, than performing it in the town.The Eid Salaah performed in the Masjid is complete, but performing it in the Eidgah is Sunnah. The Eid Salaah should be a huge gathering on the outskirts of the town. In this way the brotherhood of Islam is manifested. In the big cities it is difficult to make Eidgah on the outskirts of the city, therefore a huge open plain should be chosen for the Eidgah or according to the need, it can be performed in the Masjid, which will be correct. But as far as possible, one huge gathering is more superior compared to many small Eidgahs. Performing of the Eid Salaah in the Eidgah is Sunnat-e-Muak'kadah. Without any valid excuse, the one who does not perform his Eid Salaah in the Eidgah is worthy of being reprimanded and taken to task and this kind of a person is a sinner. If the Eidgah is a distance away and it is inconvenient for the old and sickly, then the Jurists have given permission for them to perform Eid Salaah in the Masjid.