EID-UL-FITR
Blessed& Happy Eid- ul - Fitr – Mubarak!
بسم الله الرحمن
الرحيم
رَبِّ
اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي ; وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي ; وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ
لِسَانِي ; يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
As Ramadan comes to end, Muslims the
world over, start preparing for the month of Shawwāl. The month of Shawwāl is
marked by the festival of Eid, known as Eid Al-Fitr. As per authentic
narrations found in ahadith, Al-Fitr is the day that the people break
fast. So, Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated on the day just after when the
month of fasting ends i.e. the first day of the month of Shawwāl. This day is
confirmed by sighting of moon. Following hadith explains to us the Sunnah way
of confirming the day of Eid Al-Fitr.
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) mentioned Ramadan and said, “Do not observe fasting
unless you see the crescent moon (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till
you see the crescent moon (of Shawwāl); but if the sky is overcast and you
can’t see the moon, then act on estimation (i.e. count 28 to 30 days each for
Shaban & Ramadan).”
(Hadith No. 1906, Book of
As-Saum, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3).
This hadith emphasizes the
importance of moon-sighting for confirming the day of Eid Al-Fitr. And
this criterion is followed by whole Muslim community till date.
Eid Al-Fitr is one of the two
festivals of Muslims (other being Eid Al-Adha) and all are encouraged to
celebrate it with full enthusiasm. It is recommended to present ourselves with
clean (or new) dresses; go out to social gatherings and meet relatives, friends
and neighbours; embrace fellow Muslims (embracing is a widely accepted gesture
among Muslims on the days of Eid); cook delicacies (your favourite foods) at
home; invite people to your homes over meals; exchange gifts with your children,
family members and others, etc. However, it should be kept in mind that no act
of our celebrations on Eid should violate any Islamic ruling. For example, when
attending gatherings, women and men should maintain Hijab; it should be
ensured that we do not end up doing extravagance; manners of entertaining
guests are not forgotten, etc. Above all, one should not forget Remembrance of
Allah while busy in celebrations of Eid.
Now let us shift our attention to
the Sunnah way of celebrating Eid Al-Fitr. This is very important for each
one of us that we celebrate our Eids as our beloved Prophet (PBUH) and his
companions used to.
1.
No fasting on Eid Al-Fitr
It is not allowed for a Muslim to
observe fast on the day of any of the Eids (Eid Al-Fitr as well as Eid
Al-Adha). This is clearly mentioned in following hadith.
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (RA) narrated:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) prohibited two fasts: Fasting the ‘Day of
Adha’ and the ‘Day of Fitr’.
(Hadith No. 772, Chapters on
Fasting, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).
2.
Paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or Zakat-ul-Fitr)
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is obligatory
and is to be paid by every Muslim who falls under the Nisāb, before
leaving the house for Eid prayers. Rasool-Allah (PBUH) was very particular
about this, as is evident from the hadith given below:
Ibn Umar (RA) narrated that Allah’s
Messenger (PBUH)
would order paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr before going
to Salat on
the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
(Hadith No. 1509, Book of Zakat,
Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2; Hadith No. 677, Chapters on Zakat, Jami’-At-Tirmidhi,
Vol. 2).
We have discussed the details
associated with payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr in one of our previous
discussions under the subject heading of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, and the same may
be referred for the details regarding Nisāb, calculation, timings etc.
for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr.
3.
Salat on the day
of Eid Al-Fitr
The first thing on the morning
of Eid Al-Fitr is to offer Salat of Eid. This is one of the
voluntary Salats, but the significance associated with
this Salat shall be obvious in due course of our discussion. Let us
understand this in further sub-classifications.
3.1.
It is recommended to eat
something before leaving for Salat on the morning of Eid
Al-Fitr.
Narrated Anas bin Mālik (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) never proceeded for Salat on the Day ofEid
Al-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet
(PBUH) used to eat odd no. of dates.
(Hadith No. 953, Book of The Two Eid
Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
This narration highlights the act of
eating before proceeding for Salat, in order to prove that this is the
‘Day of breaking fast’. This is yet another example of Hikmah of our
beloved Prophet (PBUH).
3.2.
Women are encouraged to
join Salat of Eids
(Eid Al-Fitr as well as Eid Al-Adha).
Islam encourages all of us to
offer Salat of Eid in congregation and take our families along with
us. This is very important in the essence of unity of Muslims. Refer to
following hadith:
Narrated Umm Atiyya (RA): We were
ordered to go out (for Eid) and also take along with us the menstruating women,
mature girls and virgins staying in seclusion. The menstruating women
could present themselves at the religious gathering and invocation of Muslims,
but should keep away from their Musalla.
(Hadith No. 981, Book of The Two Eid
Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
The very fact that all family
members, even the menstruating women, are supposed to go out for
Eidgatherings, highlights the importance of Eid prayer. However, it is
clear that menstruating women may join in invocation but cannot
offer Salat.
3.3.
Time of Salat for Eid
It is recommended not to delay
Eid Salat and offer it on the morning of Eid, as early as the time
for voluntary prayers starts (i.e. just after sunrise). This is the Sunnah way,
as is clear from following hadith:
Yazid bin Khumair Ar-Rahabi said:
Abdullah bin Busr, the companion of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), once went with
the people on the day of Eid (Fitr or Adha). He criticized the delay
of Imam and said, “We used to be finished at this hour (and that was
the time one could pray voluntary prayers i.e. just after sunrise).”
(Hadith No. 1135, Book
of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
3.4.
No Salat just before
or after Eid prayer
Narrated Ibn Abbas (RA): The Prophet
(PBUH) offered a two raka’at Salat on the day of Eid Al-Fitrand
he did not offer any Salat before or after it. Then he went towards
women along with Bilal (RA) and ordered them to give alms and so they started
giving their ear-rings and necklaces (in charity).
(Hadith No. 964, Book of The Two Eid
Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
In other places it is mentioned that
Ibn Abbas (RA) disliked offering any Salat before Eid prayer.
Therefore, we should not pray any other prayer just before or after Eid prayer.
It is not a prohibition, but a disliked thing.
3.5.
There is
no Adhan and/or Iqamah for Eid
prayer.
It is very clear from almost all
collections of ahadith and there is a consensus of all scholars about this
ruling. Refer to following hadith:
It was narrated from Ibn Juraij, who
said: Atā informed me from Ibn Abbas (RA) and Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari
(RA), who said: ‘There was no Adhan called on the day
of Al-Fitr or Al-Adha’. I asked him about that later on and he
said: ‘Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (RA) informed me that there was
no Adhan for the prayer on the day of Al-Fitr, neither before
the Imam came out nor afterwards, and there was
no Iqamah or call or anything; no call on that day and
no Iqamah.’
(Hadith No. 2049 (886), Book of The
Two Eid Prayers, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2).
3.6.
No. of raka’at and Takbirs in
Eid prayer
The hadith mentioned in Section
3.4 above tells us that Eid prayer comprises of two raka’at. However,
there are some additional Takbirs in this prayer, the details of
which are evident from following narration:
Kathir bin Abdullah narrated from
his father, from his grandfather: “The Prophet (PBUH) said the Takbir in first
(raka’at) seven (times) before recitation, and in the last, five (times) before
recitation.”
(Hadith No. 536, Chapters
on The Two Eid, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 1).
The jurists of Al-Madinah, Imam
Mālik and Imam Ahmad are of the view that there
are seven Takbirsincluding the opening Takbir in the first
raka’at before recitation, and five Takbir in second raka’at before
recitation. Now if others disagree and chose a different procedure
of Takbirs, which is not authenticated by ahadith, it cannot be
justified.
3.7.
There is
a Khutba after Eid prayer.
Salat of Eid is followed by
a Khutba (i.e. a religious sermon).
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to offer As-Salat of Eid
Al-Adha &Eid Al-Fitr, and then deliver
the Khutba after As-Salat.
(Hadith No. 957, Book of The Two Eid
Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
3.8.
What shall one do if he misses
Eid prayer?
Whoever misses Eid prayer, should offer two
raka’at his place or anywhere he/she can. This is another ruling that
highlights the importance of Eid prayer, as there is no such requirement of
offering any other voluntary prayer if someone misses that on prescribed
time.
3.9.
A special case when Eid falls
on Friday
If Eid falls on a Friday, then it is
permissible for a person not to offer Friday prayers if he has already offered
the Eid prayers in congregation. This is a very noble exception for us and
there probably cannot be a better narration to support the importance of Eid
prayer. It gives an insight to the beauty of Islam, for the one who wish to
understand. Others will keep arguing about authenticity of this exception.
It is to be understood clearly that there are several authentic ahadith that
proves this ruling. I shall quote few of them.
It was reported that Ilyas bin Abi
Ramlah Ash-Shami said: I was present when Muawiyah bin Abi Sufiyan asked Zaid
bin Arqam: ‘Did you witness two Eid (i.e. the Eid and the Juma’a) being
combined on one day during the time of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)? He
replied, ‘Yes.’ So he said:
‘He (Prophet, PBUH) prayed the Eid then he was
lenient about Friday prayer, for he said: “Whoever wishes to pray can pray.”
(Hadith No. 1070, Book
of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
Are there doubts still about this
ruling? OK, let us see one more hadith to clear our doubts.
Al-A’Mash reported from Ata bin Abi
Rabah that he said: Ibn Az-Zubair (RA) once led us in the early morning in the
Eid prayer, and it happened to be on a Friday. Then we went to attend
Friday prayer, but he did not come out (to give Khutba etc.). So we
prayed by ourselves (without congregation). And Ibn Abbas (RA) at that
time was in Al-Ta’if, so when he came back we informed him this. He said: ‘He
has followed Sunnah.’
(Hadith No. 1071, Book
of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
This should clear all the
doubts. Therefore, we should not be surprised if we see anyone doing so.
4.
Amusements are a part of Eid
celebrations.
It is unanimously accepted that indulgence
in amusements like music, games etc. in exceeding limits is considered to be
wastage of time and is discouraged in Islam. And the limits for indulgence in
such things are very strict. However, Eid is one of the occasions on which it
is allowed to indulge in these amusements etc., for the sake of celebrations,
but in such a manner that they do not make us forget any of the obligatory
duties of us as a Muslim. Go through the following narration:
It was narrated that Aishah (RA)
said: “Abu Bakr (RA) entered upon me and there were two of the young girls of
the Ansar with me who were singing the verses that the Ansar had
recited on the day of Bu’ath.” She said: “But they were known to be singers.”
Abu Bakr (RA) said: “Wind instruments of the shaitan in the house of
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)?” That was the day of Eid. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)
said: “O Abu Bakr! Every people have their Eid and this is our Eid.” In another
narration it is said that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Let them be O’ Abu
Bakr, for these are the days of Eid.”
(Hadith No. 2061 (892), Book
of Two Eid Prayers, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2).
Concluding remarks
Lessons to be learnt
There are several lessons to be
learnt for us after having gone through so many narrations related to this
auspicious festival of Eid Al-Fitr. Let me name a few of them:
1.
It
teaches us to start our festival by praying to
Allah.
2.
It
teaches us to be tolerant. This is evident from the narration regarding
Abu Bakr (RA) being angry on Ansar girls who were singing near Allah’s
Messenger (PBUH); the Prophet (PBUH) asking Abu Bakr (RA) to let them enjoy as
it was Eid.
3.
Another
important thing to learn is that Islam encourages unity among its
followers; this is evident from the narrations related to encouragement of all
family members to attend Eid prayers out in congregation.
4.
Another
lesson to be learnt is that Islam is not against joy or celebrations. But
all these have to be observed in a correct manner i.e. Sunnah way. Muslims
should be very careful about their actions on days like Eid, so that they give
a positive image of Islam to the people of other religions. This is very
important for Muslims who live in places where there are inhabitants of other
religions also in abundance
(for example India).
with respect to the unity factor :
Aishah (RA) narrated that Allah’s
Messenger (PBUH) said, “Al-Fitr is the day that people break fast
and Al-Adha is the day that the people sacrifice.”
(Hadith No. 802, Chapters on
Fasting, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).
This hadith gives an insight that we
all should maintain unity in celebrating the days of Eid; one should not be
stubborn about one’s personal and individual opinion. As much as possible,
Muslims should start fasting together and celebrate Eid(s) together. It is
Allah’s ita’at and His Messenger’s (Mohammad, PBUH)ita’at that
matters; leave all other reasoning behind and stick to following verse of
Qur’an:
وَأَطِيعُوا
اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِنْ كُنتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“Do ita’at of Allah
& Rasool-Allah (PBUH), if you are Mu’mineen.”
(Aayah No. 1, Surah Al-Anfal,
Chapter No. 8, Holy Qur’an).
May Allah make the day of Eid
Al-Fitr beneficial to all of us in
terms of His Blessings, His Mercy and
His Rahmah. May we
all
mankind celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with fully,
blessed vigour and
enthusiasm, keeping in mind that we follow the Sunnah way,
while doing so. May Allah help us keeping ourselves away from
all
types of wrongs which may tarnish our Eid(s). May we all be
blessed by
Allah to see more Ramadan(s) and enjoy many
more Eids to come in our
lives
….Ameen.
Blessed & Happy Eid
Al-Fitr to all.
Eid
– ul – Fitr Mubarak
May Allah bless you, us and all in our Endeavors…
“Eid – ul - Fitr is a wonderfully blessed day for Prayers,
Supplications, Dua, Get-together, Care, Love, Rejoice and Celebrate in
happiness with one another and with all mankind to thank Allah-the-One and Only
Almighty for granting us this immensely happy and fabulous day. Eid-ul-Fitr
Mubarak to you’ll, us and all!”
InShaAllah!
