Everyone at Lote Tree Traditional Learning wishes you a Happy Eid!
Taqabbal Allāhu minnā wa minkum
Introduction
The word Eid means to return / to repeat and as the day of Eid comes twice every year it is called Eid (the day which returns/repeats).
There are two sayings regarding ‘Eid:
1. Eid is not for those who just dress in new clothes, rather, Eid is for those who have increased in their good deeds and obedience towards Allah.
2. Eid is not for those who have just beautified their appearance with their clothes and ride, rather, Eid is for those whose sins have been forgiven.
Allah has made two Eids for the Muslims, each of them comes after the completion of worship.
Eid al-Fitr comes after fasting/worship in the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha after the completion of the Hajj (pilgrimage). Jum’ah (Friday) is also considered as a mini Eid (celebration) after the completion of weekly prayers.
In Paradise (Jannah), the Eid for the Muslims will be the sight of their Lord, Allah in a way which befits His Majesty.
The Eid Prayer (Salaat al-Eid)
In the 2nd year after Hijrah the very first Eid prayer was offered by the Prophet (SAW) outside the residential area at the place called “Haaj Al-Misri”. This coincides with the first year that fasting Ramadan was made obligatory.
In the Shafi madhab Eid prayer is highly recommended (Sunnah Al-Mu’akkadah) for the citizen and traveller, for men and women. Note that in the Hanafi madhab it is required (waajib) for men but sunnah for women.
It is prayed between sunrise and before the zenith.
Recommended acts on the eve and day of Eid
- Spending the night in worship, the Prophet (SAW) said, “One who stands (praying) on the two Eid nights in hope of the hereafter’s reward, his hear will not die when hearts die”.
- Taking Ghusl, Ibn Abbas said, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to take a ghusl (shower) on the day of al-Fitr and the day of al-Adha”.
- To clean, perfume and beautify oneself. This applies to everyone whether intending to go to Eid prayers or not, but women should be careful in their use of adornments and perfume in public spaces.
- Eating a light breakfast before going to the prayer of Eid al-Fitr. It is recommended for the breakfast to be an odd number of dates (not that for the Eid al-Adha prayer it is recommended not to eat before the prayer).
- Setting off early to the Eid prayer. This allows one to join in with the Eid Takbeer.
- Walking to the prayer from one path and coming back from another. Jaber said, “On the day of Eid, the Prophet (SAW) used to return (after performing Eid prayers) through a road different from that by which he went.”
- Performing prayer in a mosque. This is because it is cleaner and more respectable, unless it is too small to accommodate all the people, in which case the prayer is better in the open air.
- Delaying the Eid al-Fitr prayer but hastening the Eid al-Adha prayer.
- Making payment of Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer.
- Performing the Eid Takbeers. This is recited from sunset of the eve of Eid until the Imam enters for the Eid prayer. It is good to raise the voices in the Takbeer, except for women if there are non-mahram men around.
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