There are many tasks for Muslims to do on ‘Eed Al-Fitr. They are as follows:
1- Paying Zakat Al-Fitr before the ‘Eed prayer
2- Saying Takbeer on the night of the ‘Eed
Allah The Almighty Says (what means):{To complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.} [Quran 2:185]
Zayd ibn Aslam said that {To glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you} means if you see the crescent. So, Takbeer begins when the new moon (of Shawwaal) is sighted until the Imaam finishes the prayer of ‘Eed and leaves. Takbeer can be recited in the mosques and streets until the Imaam comes. Then no one should say it except after the Imaam. [Tafseer At-Tabari]
It was narrated that Ibn Mas‘ood used to say, “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is most great, Allah is most Great, and for Allah is praise).” [Ibn Abu Shaybah]
It was also narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas used to say, “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah-il-hamd, Allahu akbar wa ajall, Allahu akbar ‘ala ma hadaana. (Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great, for Allah is praise, Allah is most Great and glorified, Allah is most Great for He guided us).” [Al-Bayhaqi]
In addition, it was narrated that Abu ‘Uthmaan An-Nahdi said, “Salmaan used to say, ‘Recite Takbeer: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbaru kabeera’ (Allah is most Great, Allah is most Great, Allah is the ever Greatest).” [Al-Bayhaqi: As-Sunan Al-Kubra]
3- The ‘Eed prayer:
The most correct opinion of scholars is that it is obligatory, for the obligation of Friday prayer can be waived if the ‘Eed Prayer coincides with it.It was narrated that Umm ‘Atiyyah said, “The Messenger of Allah commanded us to bring them (women) out on (‘Eed) Al-Fitr and (‘Eed) Al-Adh-ha, and to bring out adolescent girls, menstruating women and virgins, but the menstruating women were to stay away from the prayer, but were to witness goodness and the invocations of the Muslims. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us does not have a Jilbaab?’ He said: ‘Let her sister lend her a Jilbaab.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The ‘Eed prayer is not preceded by Athaan (the first call to prayer) or Iqaamah (the second call to start prayer). No Sunnah prayer precedes or follows the ‘Eed Prayer. One who comes to the place of prayer should pray nothing before the ‘Eed prayer. It is Sunnah to perform it outside the mosque. The ‘Eed Khutbah should be delivered after the ‘Eed prayer.
It is Sunnah to go to the prayer by one route and return by another for it was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah said, “On the Day of ‘Eed, the Prophet used to go and return via different routes.” [Al-Bukhari] It was said that the reason for that is to meet many of his relatives and friends. [Zaad Al-Ma‘aad]
4- Eating dates before going out for the ‘Eed prayer:
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said, “The Messenger of Allah did not go out on the morning of ‘Eed Al-Fitr except after eating some dates.” [Al-Bukhari] The reason for this was to make a distinction between the days of the ‘Eed and those of Ramadan. Moreover, it was narrated that the Prophet, , forbade fasting of the days of the two ‘Eeds. [Al-Bukhari] This is the preponderant opinion regarding this issue. [Sharh An-Nawawi ‘Ala Saheeh Muslim]
5- Adorning oneself and performing Ghusl (ritual bath) on the day of ‘Eed:
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, ‘Umar took a brocade cloak that was for sale in the market and brought it to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, buy this and adorn yourself with it for ‘Eed and for receiving delegations.’ The Messenger of Allah said to him:‘Rather this is the dress of one who has no share (of reward in the Hereafter).” [Al-Bukhari] Ibn Rajab said, “This Hadeeth refers to adornment on the occasion of ‘Eed and that they used to do so.” [Al-Fat-h] Thus,the Prophet, , denounced ‘Umar for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk, but he agreed with him on the idea of adorning oneself for ‘Eed.
Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya and Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a sound chain of narrators that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on both ‘Eeds. In addition, Imaam Maalik said, “I heard that scholars liked wearing fragrance and adornments on every ‘Eed.” [Al-Mughni]
Ibn ‘Umar used to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) on the two days of ‘Eed as narrated in Al-Muwatta’. However, no authentic Marfoo‘ Hadeeth was narrated in this regard.
In Al-Istithkaar by Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr said, “The scholars of Fiqh have unanimously agreed that making Ghusl on the two days of ‘Eed is something good.”
(To be continued)