Eid al-Fitr & its rules

We have our own celebrations

Since the abolishment of Islam, from life, as a ruling system, the state of the Ummah has been declining from one bad stage to a worse one. The Ummah is being ruled by Kufr laws, dominated by Kufr concepts, invaded by the West with its corrupt culture and repugnant promiscuity, and as a result, it has corrupted the Ummah’s Deen, ethics and future generations. The Western beacons, symbols, concepts, and occasions have become those of the Ummah. The West has been aided by the rulers of the Muslims who have devoted themselves to keeping Islam away from life and fighting off its thoughts and concepts, thus moulding the Ummah to the West’s desire.

Celebrating the Christian holidays, such as Christmas and the Christian New Year is part of the Western culture that is imposed on the Muslims. In imposing such culture, the West intended for the Muslims to accept and recognise the Christian rituals, and believe in the equality of Christianity with Islam. We pray to Allah (swt) that the Muslims do not start celebrating the Jewish holidays as they have been celebrating the Christian ones.

With great sorrow and broken hearts, we witness the killing, rape and the expulsion of Muslims, throughout the world, at the hands of the Western Christians - the enemies of Islam. At the same time, we observe some of the children of the Muslims expressing their loyalty to the West and being fascinated with its culture. They celebrate the Christian holidays, occasions, and prepare for their seasons. It is no longer appalling to hear that some of the Muslims host the Americans and the other Christians in their own homes to celebrate Christmas, New Year, and other holidays. Indeed it is no longer considered strange for this to occur since the Ummah does not have a caretaker who would foster her affairs with Islam, shield it from Kufr concepts, protect her deen, and rule her so that she may remain a distinguished Ummah, as Allah (swt) willed for her.

People also celebrate or participate in the celebration of other festivals of the Kuffar such as Diwali or Holi of the Hindus

People also celebrate other occasions based on Kufr such as National Independence Days.

Celebrating the holidays and the occasions of the Kuffar is certainly Haram. You are not permitted to do it. Nor are your rulers allowed to make these (Kufr) holidays as official holidays, since it is an imitation of the Kuffar. Imitating the Kuffar in any of their religious affairs or in any gesture that distinguishes them as groups is forbidden. Al-Bukhari narrated in his Sahih that Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “You will indeed follow the ways of those before you, hand span by hand span, and cubit by cubit even if they were to enter into a lizards hole, you will follow them.” We asked ‘is it the Jews and the Christians?’ He (saw) replied, “Who else!” This Hadith condemns imitating them. It is a proof for the prohibitions of imitating the Jews and the Christians in their occasions, symbols, or any matter related to their belief.

Celebrating the holidays of the Kuffar is an act of imitation that is forbidden in Islam. Allah’s Messenger (saw) warned us against it. At-Tirmidhi narrated that Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said: “He is not one of us who imitates other than us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians.” At-Tabarani and Abu Dawood narrated that Ibn Umar and Hudthayfah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said: “Whoever imitates a people, he is one of them.”

Furthermore, there are many Islamic evidences that forbid the Muslims from having holidays other than Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adhaa. Al-Baihaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Malik (ra) said: When the Prophet (saaws) came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah. He (saw) said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of Fitr.” Also Imam Ahmad in his Musnad reported that Uqbah bin Amir (ra) reported the Prophet (saw) to have said: “The day of Fitr and days of Tashriq are our holidays, the people of Islam.”

These evidences are clear in forbidding the Muslims to have any Eid other than what Allah (swt) prescribed for them. Thus, they are not allowed to participate in or celebrate the holidays of the Kuffar and nor are they allowed to attend them, even if invited. Moreover, holidays, such as the New Year are filled with corruption and vice. Such occasions, where sins are committed and liquor is served, have become avenues to commit acts of fisq (disobedience). The official media uses its creativity to corrupt the tendencies and morals of the people by spreading the corrupt programmes that contain nothing but vice in order to eliminate any sign of purity and morality.

Eid al-Fitr

EID-AL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Zakat al-Fitr
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: “The Prophet ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the 'Id prayer.” [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 25, Number 585]

Narrated by Ibn Umar (Radhiallaho anho): Allah's Messenger made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr. [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 25, Number 580.]
Malik and Ash-Shafi'i say that it is Fard, but Abu Hanifa says that it is Wajib and not Fard. It is Mandatory for Young and Old. A Husband must pay the zakat al-Fitr of his wife as he is obliged to maintain her, according to Malik, Ash-Shafi and Ahmad, but Abu Hanifa says that he is not obliged to pay her Zakat al-fitr.

Ghusl (taking a bath)
It was reported that Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said: “Three things are sunnah on Eid: to walk (to the prayer-place), to take a bath and to eat before coming out.” This is what Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, and he may have learned this from some of the Sahaabah.
One of the manners of Eid is to take a bathe before going out to the prayer. It is reported in a saheeh report in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to take a bath on the day of al-Fitr before coming to the prayer-place. (al-Muwatta’ 428)
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentioned that the scholars were agreed that it is mustahabb (recommended) to take a bath before the Eid prayer.
The reason why it is mandub (recommended) to take a bath before Friday prayer and other public gatherings also applies in the case of Eid, only more so.

Haram to fast
It is haraam to fast on the days of Eid because of the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade fasting on the day of Fitr and the day of Sacrifice (Adhaa). (Reported by Muslim, 827)

If news of Eid comes late to you

Abu ‘Umayr ibn Anas reported from his paternal uncles among the Ansaar who said: “It was cloudy and we could not see the new moon of Shawwaal, so we started the day fasting, then a caravan came at the end of the day and told the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that they had seen the new moon of Shawwaal the day before, so he told the people to stop fasting, and they went out to pray the Eid prayer the next day.” (Reported by the five. It is saheeh; al-Irwaa’, 3/102)

Looking one’s best for Eid
‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Umar picked up a jubbah (long outer garment) made of silk that was for sale in the market, brought it to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, buy this and wear it for Eid and when the delegations come.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “This is the clothing of the one who has no share of the Hereafter…” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 948).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) approved of ‘Umar’s idea of looking one’s best, but he rejected and denounced the idea of buying this jubbah because it was made of silk.
Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a jubbah that he would wear on Eid and on Fridays.” (Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1765).
Al-Bayhaqi reported that Ibn Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid, so men should wear the best clothes they have when they go out for Eid.

Eating before coming out
It is recommended according to most scholars to 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)
It is mustahabb to eat before coming out because this confirms that we are not allowed to fast on this day, and demonstrates that the fast is now over. Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) explained that this is to prevent people extending the fast and it also means obeying the commandment of Allaah. (Fath, 2/446). If a person does not have any dates, he can eat anything permissible for breakfast.

Saying the Takbeer aloud whilst going to the prayer
Al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: “I asked al-Awzaa’i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer aloud on Eid. They said, ‘Yes, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to say it aloud on the day of Fitr until the imaam came out.’”
Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Salami said: “On Eid al-Fitr they would say it louder than on Eid al-Adhaa.” Wakee’ said, “i.e., the takbeer.” (Irwaa’, 3/122).
Al-Daaraqutni and others reported that when Ibn ‘Umar came out on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adhaa, he would strive hard in making Takbeer until he reached the prayer-place, then he would continue making Takbeer until the imaam came.
Ibn Abi Shaybah reported with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: “The people used to make Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they reached the prayer-place and until the imaam came out. When the imaam came out, they fell silent, until the imaam said Takbeer, then they said Takbeer.” (Irwaa’, 2/121).

To go out one by one route and come back by another
Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to vary his routes on the day of Eid. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 986)

Who comes out for Eid
Umm Atiyah (ra) reported: 'The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al- Fitr and Eid-al-Adha, young women, hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaat but participated in good deeds and Duaa (supplication)'. I (Umm Atiyah) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): 'O! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment.' He replied: "Let her sister cover her with her garment." [Muslim]

The Prophet prayed Eid Salah in the Musallah not the Masjid

Generally the scholars say it is Sunnah or Mandub (recommended) for Eed Prayers is to pray in the Musallah (that is in an uncovered place) and not in the Masjid. The Prophet never prayed Eed Prayer in the Masjid. Aboo Sa'eed (R) reported: "The Prophet (saw) used to go on the day of 'Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adhaa to the Musallah, and the first thing he did was to pray." [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Eid Salah

Some of the scholars say that Eid prayers are waajib (obligatory) – this is the view of the Hanafi scholars. They say that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always prayed the Eid prayer and never omitted to do it, not even once. They take as evidence the ayah (interpretation of the meaning), “Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)” [al-Kawthar 108:2], i.e., the Eid prayer and the sacrifice after it, which is an instruction, and the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered that the women should be brought out to attend the Eid prayers, and that a woman who did not have a jilbaab should borrow one from her sister.
Some scholars say that Eid prayer is fard kifaaya. This is the view of the Hanbalis. A third group say that Eid prayer is sunnah this is the view of the Maalikis and Shaafa’is. They take as evidence the hadeeth of the Bedouin which says that Allaah has not imposed any prayers on His slaves other than the five daily prayers. So the Muslim should be keen to attend Eid prayers

Ibn Abbaas reported: "The Prophet (saw) prayed two Raka'ahs for the Eid prayer and did not pray before it or after it." [Bukhaaree]

It is without Adhan or Iqamah due to what was narrated from Jabir bin Samura (ra) who said: “I attended Eid with the Prophet (saw) not once or twice without Adhan or Iqamah.”


It was narrated from ‘Amru bin Shuaib from his father from his grandfather who said: The Prophet (saw) said: “The takbeers in the Fitr are seven in the first and five in the other, and the recitation is after both of them.”

The Khutba is after the Eid Salah

Ibn ‘Umar narrated “that Rasool Allah (saw) then Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman (ra) would pray the two Eids before the khutba.”

It is recommended that one gives the sermon while on the minbar, due to what Jabir (ra) narrated and said: “I attended Adha with the Prophet (saw) so when he finished his khutba he descended from his minbar.”

And due to what was narrated from Abu Said (ra) who said: “The Prophet (saw) would go out on the day of Fitr and Adha to the musalla and the first thing he would begin with was the prayer. Then he would move to stand facing the people, and the people were sitting in their rows. He would exhort, advise and command them and if he wished to allot an expedition or to command something, he would command it, then he turns away.”

Eid Greeting

People may exchange congratulations and good greetings on Eid, no matter what form the words take. For example they may say to one another, “Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minkum (May Allaah accept [the fast and worship] from us and from you” or “Eid mubarak” and other similar permissible greetings.
Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when people met one another on the day of Eid, they would say, ‘Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minka (May Allaah accept from us and from you).’” (Ibn Hajar. Its isnaad is hasan. Fath, 2/446).

The practice of exchanging greetings was well-known at the time of the Sahaabah and scholars such as Imaam Ahmad and others allowed it. There are reports which indicate that it is permissible to congratulate people on special occasions. The Sahaabah used to congratulate one another when something good happened, such as when Allaah accepted a person’s repentance and so on.

Music

Although there is difference of opinion amongst the scholars on the issue of music, generally people agree that on Eid it is ok, some also say it is recommended

“`Aishah narrated that during the days of Mina, on the day of `Eid al-Adha, two girls were with her, singing and playing on a hand drum. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was present, listening to them with his head under a shawl. Abu Bakr then entered and scolded the girls. The Prophet (s.a.w.), uncovering his face, told him, "Let them be, Abu Bakr. These are the days of `Eid." [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.]

Today our Eid cannot be truly joyous as we celebrate, many of our brothers and sisters around the world are suffering, we hope and pray for that Allah (swt) grants us the Eid soon that will be under the shade of the rule of the Quran, when the Muslims will be protected and then we can be truly happy.