Eid ul Fitr

WHEN IS EID UL FITR 2020?


This year, Eid ul Fitr 2020 is expected to be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, 2020. However, exact date is subject to sighting of moon of Shawwal, 1441, 10th month of Islamic Calendar.
WHAT IS EID AL FITR?
Eid ul Fitr, known as ’عيد الفطر’ is Arabic and Asian counties, is a unique festival for all Muslims around the world. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of holy month of Ramadan. Eid al Fitr is Allah's reward for believers who have fasted during the holy month of Ramadan. This is also believers thanking Allah for giving them the chance and the strength to carry out His commands during the blessed month of Ramadan. Traditionally, Eid al Fitr is celebrated for three days almost in all Muslim countries.
Both Eid ul Fitr and Eid Al-Adha have great significance in Islam as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated that Anas bin Malik (R.A.), who said:
“Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’” (An-Nasai: 1556)
Remember one thing that Fasting on Eid days i-e Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are forbidden as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (R.A.) that Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "No fasting is permissible on the two days of Eid-ul-Fitr and EId-ul-Adha.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 1995)

CELEBRATING EID AL FITR


Since it is a religious festival, therefore, Muslims all over the world celebrate this event with much fervor and each country’s celebrations vary as there is an influence of their traditions. Muslims all over the world celebrate the festival of Eid al Fitr by starting the day with the Eid prayer. After offering prayer, Muslim greet each other with the customary Eid greetings by saying Eid Mubarak. Everyone gets new clothes made for the special occasion because every single person wants to look his/her best. The day is spent with friends and family as they get together indulging in eating and handing out gifts.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a period of happiness and enjoyment; and this is also evident from the following Hadith:
It was narrated by Aisha (R.A.) who reported that Prophet (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.) (On the day of Eid when Abu Bakr (R.A.) saw two girls were singing the stories about the Day of Buath in Madinah):
“….. O Abu Bakr! Every people have their Eid and this is our Eid.” (Sahih Bukhari: 952)
In another narration, it is said that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.):
“Let them be O Abu Bakr, for these are day of Eid.”

EID PRAYER


The scholars differed concerning the ruling on Eid prayers. However, all Muslim should attend prayers of both Eids as most scholars, on the basis of strong evidences, is of opinion that it is Wajib (obligation). One of the purpose behind Eid Prayer is to provide opportunities to a greater number of Muslims to attend larger congregations in an atmosphere of religious piety. Apart from prayer, the Eid sermon (after Eid Prayer) has also been made an integral part of this gathering and the prayer.
It is important and compulsive for a Muslim to pay ‘Zakat-ul-Fitr’ before offering of Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 1511)
The time for Eid Prayer begins from the time the sun is three meters above the horizon until the sun reaches its meridian. However, it is better to offer the prayer in the early hours after the sunrise. (Abu Dawud: 1135)
Eid Prayer is performed without any ‘Iqmah’ or ‘Athan’. [Sahih Muslim: 885 (b)]
Eid prayer consists of two Rak'at (Two Unit Prayer) during which Tabkeer (Allah-u-Akbar) is pronounce seven times. (Abu Dawud: 1149)
Rest of the Eid prayer is same as other prayer offered daily.
After completing the prayer, it is Sunnah (some scholars say that it is Wajib) to listen the Sermon (Khutbah) after Eid Prayer. So one should stay for Imam’s sermon to end after completing the Eid Prayer.
After listening the sermon, Muslims congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’, ‘Happy Eid, and عيد مبارك etc. However, the most common Eid Greeting Muslims like to wish their friends and fellow Muslims is ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Sunnah of Eid Prayer
A person should follow the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) for every aspect of life and same is also apply for Eid prayer. Following are some Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W.) which every Muslim should follow:
1- Take a bath or perform ablution before going for prayer.
2- Use the tooth-brush (Miswaak).
3- You should wear your best clothes on this day.
4- Apply perfume.
5- Eat odd number of dates before leaving for prayer of Eid Al-Fitr. (Sahih Bukhari: 953)
6- Make sure that you have paid Zakat Al-Fitr before offering Eid Prayer.
7- Say following ‘Takbeerat’ while going and returning from Eid Prayer:
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allahu akbar laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd
(Allah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, Allah is most Great there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise) (Irwa Al Ghalil: 3 / 125)
8- Listening to Sermon (Khutbah) after offering Eid Prayer. (An-Nasai: 1517)
9- Use different ways while going to mosque and returning after offering Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 986)