Eid-Ul-Fitr

The Nights of The Two Eids

Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The heart of a person who remains awake (in Ibadah) during the night of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha (these are the nights that precede Eid) will not die on the Day when hearts will be dead, i.e. the Day of Qiyamah”.

The nights of both Eids, i.e. the nights preceding the Days of Eid, are auspicious occassions which should be observed with reverence and worship. Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said that these nights are great occasions of Ibadah and of gaining the proximity and special Mercy of Allah.

These blessed nights, should therefore not be allowed to pass by in idleness. Full advantage should be taken of these opportunities by offering obedience and Ibadah unto Allah to the best of our abilities. Istighfar (seeking forgiveness for sins), Tilawah (reciting the Qur’an), Nafl Salah, durud, etc. should be profusely offered on these blessed nights. Among the rewards which will be obtained as a result of observing the sanctity of these glorious Eid Nights, the greatest reward is the tiding conveyed to us by Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). In the above mentioned Hadith, the heart will not be overawed with terror and fear on the Day of Qiyamah when the upheavals of the day will be so fearsome that men will appear to be intoxicated.

The Eid Takbir

On the Days of Eid the Takbir should not be recited aloud at the place where the Eid Salah is to be performed. To recite the Takbir aloud at the Musalla (Eid Gah) or the Masjid on the Days of Eid is a common practice. However, this practice is not appropriate nor correct. Everyone should engage themselves in Dhikr and Takbir silently.

The Etiquettes of Eid-Ul-Fitr

The day of Eid is not merely a festive occasion. A Muslim acquires great rewards from and draws close to Allah I if he spends the day of Eid according to the teachings of Shariah and Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

The Sunan of The Day of Eid

1. To rise as early as possible (In fact much of this night should be spent in Ibadah).

2. To make Ghusal and use the Miswaak.

3. To wear one’s best clothes whilst ensuring that it conforms with Shariah (Sunnah dress).

4. To apply itr (perfume).

5. To eat anything sweet (such as dates) before departing for Eid Salah.

6. To go to the “Musalla” as early as possible.

7. To give “Sadaqatul-Fitr” before leaving for the Musalla.

8. To choose a different route when returning from the Musalla.

9. To walk to the Musalla. However there is no harm in using any means of conveyance if the Musalla is a distance away.

10. To recite the following Takbir while walking to the Musalla:-

“Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; There is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praise is for Him.”

The Masa’il (Rulings) Pertaining To Eid

1. No Nafl Salah should be performed in the Musalla before or after Eid Salah.

2. It is undesirable to perform the Eid Salah in any other place besides the Musalla without any valid excuse.

3. It is vitally important to listen to both Khutbah after the Eid Salah. If for some reason the Khutbah is not audible, it is still necessary to remain seated till the Khutbah ends.

NOTE: It is sinful not to listen to the Khutbah.

4. If such an error is made in Eid Salah which necessitates Sajdah Sahwa, then the Sajdah-Sahwa could be left out to avoid confusion.

Method of Performing Eid Salah

1. Make the intention: “I am performing two Rakaats Eid Salah which is wajib with six extra Takbir which are also wajib”.

2. After the first Takbir, fold the hands and recite the Thana.

3. Then lift the hands thrice while saying “Allahu Akbar”. After the first two times leave the arms loose and after the third fold them.

4. Now, Surah Al-Fatiha and a Surah will be recited by the Imam and the Rak’ah will be completed like in the normal Salah.

5. The second Rak’ah will be performed similarly except that before going into Ruku, the hands will be lifted thrice (whilst saying “Allahu-Akbar”) and each time they will be left loose on the sides.

6. With the 4th Takbir, the Ruku should be made.

7. The remainder of the Salah should be completed like any normal Salah.

8. Du`a should be made after the Salah instead of after the Khutbah.

A Few Masa’il Regarding Eid Salah

1. If the Imam forgets to recite the extra Takbirs in the first rak’ah and if he remembers after reciting surah Al-Fatihah, he should recite the extra Takbir and repeat surah Al-Fatihah.

2. If a person joins the Eid Salah after the Imam has completed the extra Takbirs then he should recite the Takbir of Tahrimah and immediately, the additional Takbirs, dropping the hands between the first two additional Takbirs and clasping them after the third, making sure that the hands are raised to the ears on each Takbir.

3. Since the condition of Eid Salah is the formation of a jama’ah, a person who missed Eid Salah is unable to perform the Salah on his own. There is no Qadha for Eid Salah.

4. A person who joins the Eid Salah after the Imam has already recited the Eid Takbir should recite the Takbir immediately upon entering the Salah. However, if he enters the Salah when the Imam is about to go into Ruku and he (the late-comer) fears that he will not be able to join the Imam in the Ruku if he stands and recites the Takbir, then he should instead recite the Takbir in the Ruku, and forgo the tasbih of the Ruku but, while reciting the Takbir in Ruku the hands should not be raised as is done when reciting the Takbir when in Qiyam (the standing posture of Salah). If the Imam emerges from the Ruku and the latecomer has not yet completed the recitation of his Takbir which he had missed then he should leave off the balance of the Takbir and join the Imam. In this case the balance of the Takbir which he could not complete are waived.

5. If someone missed a Rak’ah of the Eid Salah, he should fulfil it as follows: After the Imam completes the Salah, he (the one who missed the Rak’ah) should rise and perform one Raka’h on his own, reciting Qira’ah (Surah Al-Fatiha plus a Surah) first, followed by the Takbirs. The rest of the Rak’ah is then completed as usual.

Du`A for Eid-Ul-Fitr

“O Allah, we ask you for an honorable life, and a balanced death, and a revival that is dignified and not degrading.

O Allah, do not destroy us by making us disobey You and do not seize us by making us rebellious, and do not make us turn away from the truth or orders.

O Allah, grant us chastity, wealth, piety, guidance and good reciprocation in the Hereafter and in this world.

We seek refuge in You (O Allah) from doubt, rebelliousness, pride and show in our religion.

O He Who controls hearts, do not make our hearts slip after guiding them.

Give us mercy from Your treasures. You Alone are the Bestower.”