Alhamdolillah, the month of Ramadan has come to an end for many countries in the world. Those Muslims who had observed the month with religious zeal and fervor, kept all fasts during the month and recited Qur'an and attended Traweeh prayers, the siting of the new moon brings them a sense of satisfaction that they observed the month to the best of their abilities and now look forward for the festivities of Eid ul Fitr which takes place on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawaal.
Our best wishes to all believers on this happy day, a day they we all Muslims should celebrate for Allah has blessed us to be festive for we kept fast throughout the month of Ramadan only to please Allah, and we now look forward to the countless blessings Allah has promised us for Fasting is the only religious obligation which is solely between the servant and the Master.
Now let us have a quick look at the rituals of the Eid ul Fitr which commences early in the morning. But remember, before the day, we should have given our Zakatul Fitr to the poor and needy so that they too could join in the Eid festivities. These rituals are based on Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ as these appear in various authentic Hadith books:
- It is mustahabb to recite takbeer during the night of Eid from sunset on the last day of Ramadaan until the imam comes to lead the prayer. The format of the takbeer is: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allaah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah).
- It is Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he would take a bath before going out for the Eid prayers.
- After taking the bath, it is recommended to wear new or the best pair of clothes one may have. There is a Hadith narrated by ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that: `Umar bought a silk cloak from the market, took it to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Take it and adorn yourself with it during the `Id and when the delegations visit you." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) replied, "This dress is for those who have no share (in the Hereafter)." After a long period, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent to `Umar a cloak of silk brocade. `Umar came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) with the cloak and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! You said that this dress was for those who had no share (in the Hereafter); yet you have sent me this cloak." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to him, "Sell it and fulfill your needs by it." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 948) That is the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) agreed with ‘Umar on the idea of adorning oneself for ‘Eid, but he denounced him for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk.
- With regard to women, they should not wear beautiful clothes when they go out to the Eid prayer-place, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Let them go out looking decent” i.e., in regular clothes that are not fancy. Though, they should go out without wearing perfume and makeup.
- Apply fragrance/perfume so that one should have a pleasing smell around him when he meets others and greets them.
- Then eat something before leaving the house. It was the Sunnah of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that he would not leave his house without eating a few dates. A hadith informs us that normally the number of dates were in odd numbers. Eating is an indication that one is not fasting on Eid day.
It is Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of `Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat odd number of dates. (Sahi Bokhari: Hadith 953)
- It is recommended that one should go to the prayer by one route and return by another.
- Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “On the day of ‘Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to vary his route.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 986) It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.
- It is generally recommended that one goes to a place where a large number of people have gathered for the Eid congregation. This ensures meeting with each other and joining hands together to begin the Eid festivities by thanking Allah for having brought us this blessed day.
- After the Eid prayer has been offered, everyone should greet as many people as one can, congratulate them. Men should embrace each other three times after the Eid prayers. Some say that we should say to each other: "Taqabbala Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “‘Eid mubaarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.
Men greeting each other after the Eid prayers at the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan [Photo]
Back home, the children await their elders for "Eidi", a monetary gift specific to Eid ul Fitr. I remember having received such Eidi in my childhood, not only from my parents but also from relatives visiting our home on Eid day. These treasured monetary gifts would make our day as we would go out, buy a toy or have a cold drink and buy sweets and other eateries being sold on make shift arrangements for the day.
Sheer Kurma is one the most prepared Eid dessert made with soft vermicelli creamy lightly thick milk mix with crunchy dry fruits (Photo)
On this day, ladies prepare special dishes, especially sweet dishes, which are devoured after the Eid prayers and are also served to guests coming in to convey their Eid greetings. Small girls, and big ones alike' buy bangles and wear specially stitched clothes with adorable laces and buttons. Prior to Eid day, they have their hands decorated with beautiful designs made with Henna.
You may like to watch an informative interactive video on Etiquettes of Eid ul Fitr:
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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