Etiquettes for the Eid
Grooming for
the Eid:
It is preferred
to make the ghusl (washing the whole body), and do
one’s best attire on the occasions of the Eid.
Eating on
the Eid:
One should not come out to the prayer-place on Eid al-Fitr
before eating some dates, because of the hadeeth
narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik who said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) would not go out on the morning of
Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… and he would
eat an odd number.” (al-Bukhaari, 953)
Going out to
the Musalah (place of prayer):
Eid prayer can
be performed in the mosque but it is preferred to
perform it in a place outside the city as long as there
is an excuse or reason to do otherwise ( e.g., rain
etc..)
Women and
children going out to attend Eid prayer:
Women and children
should go out and attend Eid
prayer. This includes married, single, young, old, or
menstruating women.
Taking
different routs to and from the Musalah:
Most of the
people of knowledge are of the opinion that it is
preferred for a person to go to the prayer by one route
and then to return home through another route,
mentioning Alaah in his way to and from Eid Prayer regardless of whether you’re the imam or a member of the congregation
The time of
Eid prayers:
The time for
Eid prayer begins from the time when the sun is three
meters above the horizon until the sun reaches its
meridian.
The Takbir
during Eid prayers:
The
Eid prayer consists of two Rak’at during which it is
Sunnah to pronounce the Takbir seven times, after the
opening Takbir and before the Qur’anic recital in the
first Rak’ah. During the second Rak’ah, one makes takbir
five times after the Takbir which is customarily made
for standing after the prostration. One is to raise
one’s hands during each pronouncement of the Takbir.
The wording of the Takbeer
Ibn Abi Shaybah reported in al-Musannaf that Ibn Mas’ood
(may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say Takbeer on
the days of Tashreeq as follows: “Allaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great…
there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, and to
Allaah be praise).” Ibn Abi Shaybah reported it
elsewhere with the same isnaad, but with the phrase
“Allaahu akbar” repeated three times.
Praying
before and after Eid prayer:
It is not
established that there is any Sunnah prayer before or
after Eid prayer. The prophet never performed any such
prayer, neither did his companions upon arrival their
arrival at the Musalah.
For whom the
performance of Eid prayer is valid:
The Eid prayer
is valid for men, women, children, travelers, residents,
and people in congregation.
Playing,
amusements, singing, and eating on the days of Eid:
Recreation,
amusements, and singing, if they stay within the moral
bounds, are permissible on the days of Eid.
Congratulating one another on the days of Eid:
It is
commendable tocongratulate one another on the days of
Eid. You would say ‘tagabbal Allah minna wa minkum’( may
Allah accept it from us and you).
Timing of
the Takbirat during the days of Eid:
The time for
the Takbirat during the Eid of the sacrifice is from the
day of Arafat until the time of the Asr on the
thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah.
