So you live to tell the tale of the end of yet another Ramadhan!
The end here only signifies a beginning to a more productive, delightful and successful life to live hereafter in the obedience of Allah Subhanu wa Ta’la (Glory be to Him the Most High), studded with the beautiful words, actions and approvals (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad Sallahu Alayhi wa Sallam (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah Subhanu wa Ta’la be opon him).
Allah Subhanu wa Ta’la said:
Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.
[Surat Al Ahzab; Ayah 21]
So to give a fresh start to following the example of the Prophet Sallahu Alayhi wa Sallam in the months ahead until next Ramadhan insha’Allah, here are six things that the Prophet Sallahu Alayhi wa Sallam did on the day of Eid ul Fitr:
1) Takbeer on the day of Eid
This is one of the greatest sunnahs of this day, because of the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning):
“… (He (Allah) wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah (say Takbeer – ‘Allahu akbar’) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
It was narrated that Al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: I asked al-Awzaa’i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer out loud on the two Eids. They said,
“Yes, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers).”
Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: The people used to recite Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out they fell silent, and when he said takbeer they said takbeer.
See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1/121
It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he used to recite takbeer as follows:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah 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 to Allah be praise).
It was also narrated elsewhere by Ibn Abi Shaybah with the same isnaad, but with the phrase “Allaahu akbar” repeated three times.
The time for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr begins once one leaves for the Eid prayer area according to the majority of the scholars from the Salaf-us-saalih.
2) Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer.
Al-Muwatta’ 428.
3) Looking good on the occasion of Eid!
It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756
Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.
4) Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr
Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid al-Fitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number.
Al-Bukhaari, 953.
It is mustahabb (highly recommended) to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended.
Whoever does not have any dates may breakfast with anything that is permissible.
5) Congratulating one another
It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said:
When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another:
“Taqabbal Allaahu minna wa minkum
May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.”
Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.
Amongst all the permissible greetings, the best is saying ‘Taqabbal Allaahu minna wa minkum’.
It has been narrated that the Sahabah and those who followed their teachings used to extend their greetings on the Day of Eid, neither the night of Eid nor a few days before Eid.
6) Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to vary his route.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 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.
JazakAllahuKhairan for reading! Now put it into practice.
Taqabbal Allaahu minna wa minkum.
Sources used to compile this article:
1) http://islamqa.info/en/36442
2) The book – ‘The Legislative rulings for Eid ul Fitr by Shaikh Abdul qaadir Junaid’
