Sunan of `Eid

All praise be to Allah, and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone who has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.

So, we ask Allah to accept Ramadan from us as He helped us reach Ramadan, fast, and perform Qiyam, for He is the Most Generous.

Of the things which we should remind of is: The rulings pertaining to Salat-ul-`Eid (the Festival Prayer) and what should a Muslim do on the Day of `Eid according to the authentic Sunnah reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him); of which are:

First, a Muslim should take a shower and apply perfume as was desirable to some scholars. It was reported from Ibn `Umar that he used to take a shower before going to Salat-ul-`Eid.[1]

Some scholars said: It is desirable to remove the hair of the armpit, clip the nails and wearing new clothes because these actions are parts of adornment.

It was authentically reported from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to wear his best clothes in the Two Days of `Eid. [2]

Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wear his most beautiful clothes for `Eid, so he had a garment which he used to wear on the Two Days of `Eids and on Friday." [3]

Second, it is desirable for a person to eat odd number of dry dates before going to Salat-ul-`Eid. Odd number is: three, five, or seven. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messenger never proceeded (to Salah) 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."[4]

Third, it is desirable for a person to go for Salah from one way and come back from a different way. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "On the Day of `Eid the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to return (after offering the `Eid prayer) through a way different from that by which he went." [5]

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much." [Surat Al Ahzab: 21].

Fourth, it is a Sunnah to perform Salat-ul-`Eid in the open air and not inside majids; because that was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as was decided by a group of scholars.

Fifth, it was not reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he offered a supererogatory Salah before or after Salat-ul-`Eid. It was reported by Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to perform Salat-ul-`Eid then he performed the Salah without performing Salah before or after."[6]

However, if Salah is performed inside a masjid, a person should offer two Rak`ahs as Salah Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid (two-unit-Salah to greet the masjid). Abu Qatadah As-Sulamy (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone of you enters a masjid, he should pray two Rak`ahs before sitting." [7]

Sixth, when a person comes back home, it is permissible for him to perform two Rak`ahs. It was reported from Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used not to offer Salah before Salat-ul-`Eid, but when he returned home, he would offer two Rak`ahs." [8]

Seventh, it is desirable to start saying: "Allah Akbar" [Allah is the Greatest] from the setting of the sun on the night of `Eid until the Imam comes to perform Salat-ul-`Eid, however some scholars made it obligatory because of Allah's Saying: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fast) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fast) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him." [Surat Al Baqarah: 185].

A person should pronounce Takbir "Allahu Akbar" since he leaves his home until the Imam comes to the praying place, and that Takbir is permissible by the agreement of the Four Imams (Abu Hanifah, Malik, Al-Shafi`y, and Ahmad). It was reported from Ibn `Umar that he used to go out for Salat-ul-`Eid starting from the masjid (after performing the Fajr Salah) and continued pronouncing Takbir until he reached the praying place and until the Imam comes. [9]

It was reported from Ibn Mas`ud that he used to say: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illa Allah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Walillahi Al Hamd. [Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. No god but Allah, and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and praise be to Him]." It is desirable to pronounce Takbir in masjids, homes, and paths.[10]

Eighth, Salat-ul-`Eid is stressed to be performed by men and women equally, however some scholars said: It is obligatory on them and held the Hadith of Um `Atiyyah as a proof that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The unmarried young virgins and the mature girl who stay often screened or the young unmarried virgins who often stay screened and the menstruating women should come out, but the menstruating women should keep away from the praying place. Let them participate in the good deeds as well as the religious gathering of the faithful believers."[11]

Ninth, congratulating people on the `Eid. It was reported from some Companions that they used to say in `Eid: "May Allah accept from you and from us." as was mentioned by the Shaykh of Islam, Ibn Taymiyah, (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul).

Praised be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people], and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.