Manners, etiquette, and traditions for Eid

Manners, etiquette, and traditions for Eid


Mohamad Mostafa Nassar

Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR

In the name of Allah, the Gracous, the Merciful

The two days of Eid are the celebrations for completing the fast of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) and completing the แธคajj pilgrimage (Eid al-Adha). These two days have a certain etiquette and traditions we should follow in order to get the most out of them.

It is recommended to wear our best clothes for attending the Eid prayer.

Ibn Abbas reported:

ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูŠูŽู„ู’ุจูŽุณู ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ุจูุฑู’ุฏูŽุฉู‹ ุญูŽู…ู’ุฑูŽุงุกูŽ

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would wear a red-striped cloak on the day of Eid.

Source: al-Muโ€™jam al-Awsaแนญ 7609, Grade:ย Jayyid

Nafiโ€™ reported:

ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุงุจู’ู†ูŽ ุนูู…ูŽุฑูŽ ุฑุถูŠ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู†ู‡ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠูŽู„ู’ุจูŽุณู ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽูŠู’ู†ู ุฃูŽุญู’ุณูŽู†ูŽ ุซููŠูŽุงุจูู‡ู

Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would wear his best clothes on the days of the two Eids.

Source: al-Sunan al-Kubrรก lil-Bayhaqฤซ 6143, Grade:ย Sahih

Al-Nawawi commented on these traditions, writing:

ูˆูŽุงุชูŽู‘ููŽู‚ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุตู’ุญูŽุงุจู ู…ูŽุนูŽ ุงู„ุดูŽู‘ุงููุนููŠูู‘ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุงุณู’ุชูุญู’ุจูŽุงุจู ู„ูุจู’ุณู ุฃูŽุญู’ุณูŽู†ู ุงู„ุซูู‘ูŠูŽุงุจู ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู

The scholars agreed with Al-Shafiโ€™i that it is recommended to wear the best clothes on the day of Eid.

Source: al-Majmลซโ€™ Sharแธฅ al-Muhadhdhab 5/8

It is recommended to perform a ritual bath (ghusl) before heading to the Eid prayer.

Nafiโ€™ reported:

ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุนูŽุจู’ุฏูŽ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุจู’ู†ูŽ ุนูู…ูŽุฑูŽ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠูŽุบู’ุชูŽุณูู„ู ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ููุทู’ุฑู ู‚ูŽุจู’ู„ูŽ ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุบู’ุฏููˆูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ู…ูุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰

Abdullah ibn Umar used to perform a ritual bath on the day of breaking fast before he would depart for prayer.

Source: al-Muwaแนญแนญaโ€™ 428, Grade:ย Sahih

Al-Nawawi commented on these traditions, writing:

ูˆูŽุงุชูŽู‘ููŽู‚ูŽุชู’ ู†ูุตููˆุตู ุงู„ุดูŽู‘ุงููุนููŠูู‘ ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุตู’ุญูŽุงุจู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุงุณู’ุชูุญู’ุจูŽุงุจู ุบูุณู’ู„ู ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ู„ูู…ูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุญู’ุถูุฑู ุงู„ุตูŽู‘ู„ูŽุงุฉูŽ ูˆูŽู„ูู…ูŽู†ู’ ู„ูŽุง ูŠูŽุญู’ุถูุฑูู‡ูŽุง

The narrations of Al-Shafiโ€™i and his companions agree upon the recommendation to perform a ritual bath on the day of Eid for those present at the prayer as well as for those who do not attend.

Source: al-Majmลซโ€™ Sharแธฅ al-Muhadhdhab 5/11

It is recommended to eat something, specifically an odd number of dates, before heading to the prayer on Eid al-Fitr. It is forbidden to fast on Eid al-Fitr and eating some dates affirms this practice.

Anas ibn Malik reported:

ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ู„ูŽุง ูŠูŽุบู’ุฏููˆ ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ููุทู’ุฑู ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ูŠูŽุฃู’ูƒูู„ูŽ ุชูŽู…ูŽุฑูŽุงุชู

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would not proceed on the day of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 953, Grade:ย Sahih

However, on Eid Al-Adha it is recommended to wait until after the prayer to eat from the animal that is sacrificed.

Ibn al-Qayyim writes:

ูˆูŽุฃูŽู…ูŽู‘ุง ูููŠ ุนููŠุฏู ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุถู’ุญูŽู‰ ููŽูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ู„ูŽุง ูŠูŽุทู’ุนูŽู…ู ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ูŠูŽุฑู’ุฌูุนูŽ ู…ูู†ูŽ ุงู„ู’ู…ูุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ููŽูŠูŽุฃู’ูƒูู„ู ู…ูู†ู’ ุฃูุถู’ุญููŠูŽุชูู‡ู

As for the day of Eid al-Adha, the Prophet would not eat until he returned from the place of prayer. Then, he would eat from the animal he slaughtered as his sacrifice.

Source: Zฤd al-Maโ€™ฤd 1/426

It is recommended to declare the greatness of Allah (takbir) when one leaves his house to perform the prayer until the Imam arrives.

Allah said:

ูŠูุฑููŠุฏู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุจููƒูู…ู ุงู„ู’ูŠูุณู’ุฑูŽ ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ูŠูุฑููŠุฏู ุจููƒูู…ู ุงู„ู’ุนูุณู’ุฑูŽ ูˆูŽู„ูุชููƒู’ู…ูู„ููˆุง ุงู„ู’ุนูุฏูŽู‘ุฉูŽ ูˆูŽู„ูุชููƒูŽุจูู‘ุฑููˆุง ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ูŽ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ูฐ ู…ูŽุง ู‡ูŽุฏูŽุงูƒูู…ู’ ูˆูŽู„ูŽุนูŽู„ูŽู‘ูƒูู…ู’ ุชูŽุดู’ูƒูุฑููˆู†ูŽ

Allah intends for you ease and He does not intend for you hardship, and He wants you to complete the period of fasting and to exalt Allah for that to which He has guided you, for perhaps you will be grateful.

Surat al-Baqarah 2:185

Nafiโ€™ reported:

ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุงุจู’ู†ูŽ ุนูู…ูŽุฑูŽ ุฑุถูŠ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู†ู‡ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠูŽุบู’ุฏููˆ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ู…ูู†ูŽ ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุณู’ุฌูุฏู ูˆูŽูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠูŽุฑู’ููŽุนู ุตูŽูˆู’ุชูŽู‡ู ุจูุงู„ุชูŽู‘ูƒู’ุจููŠุฑู ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ูŠูŽุฃู’ุชููŠูŽ ุงู„ู’ู…ูุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ูˆูŽูŠููƒูŽุจูู‘ุฑู ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ูŠูŽุฃู’ุชููŠูŽ ุงู„ุฅูู…ูŽุงู…ู

Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would depart to the Eid prayer from the mosque and he would raise his voice, declaring the greatness of Allah until he arrived at the place of prayer. He would continue to exalt Allah until the Imam arrived.

Source: al-Sunan al-Kubrรก lil-Bayhaqฤซ
6129, Grade:ย Sahih

The traditional formula by which Allah is exalted is the following:

ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุฃูŽูƒู’ุจูŽุฑู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุฃูŽูƒู’ุจูŽุฑู ู„ูŽุง ุฅูู„ูŽู‡ูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‘ุง ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ูˆูŽุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุฃูŽูƒู’ุจูŽุฑู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุฃูŽูƒู’ุจูŽุฑู ูˆูŽู„ูู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุงู„ู’ุญูŽู…ู’ุฏู

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahi Hamd.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no God but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and for Allah is all praise.

The Eid prayer is a voluntary prayer, even though it is highly recommended, so there should not be an announcement (adhan) for the prayer.

Jabir ibn Samurah reported:

ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ูŠู’ุชู ู…ูŽุนูŽ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽูŠู’ู†ู ุบูŽูŠู’ุฑูŽ ู…ูŽุฑูŽู‘ุฉู ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ู…ูŽุฑูŽู‘ุชูŽูŠู’ู†ู ุจูุบูŽูŠู’ุฑู ุฃูŽุฐูŽุงู†ู ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ุฅูู‚ูŽุงู…ูŽุฉู

I performed the Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, several times without announcing the two calls to prayer.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 887, Grade:ย Sahih

Al-Tirmidhi commented on this tradition, writing:

ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ุนูŽู…ูŽู„ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ุนูู†ู’ุฏูŽ ุฃูŽู‡ู’ู„ู ุงู„ู’ุนูู„ู’ู…ู ู…ูู†ู’ ุฃูŽุตู’ุญูŽุงุจู ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุจููŠูู‘ ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูˆูŽุบูŽูŠู’ุฑูู‡ูู…ู’ ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ู‡ู ู„ูŽุง ูŠูุคูŽุฐูŽู‘ู†ู ู„ูุตูŽู„ูŽุงุฉู ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽูŠู’ู†ู ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ู„ูุดูŽูŠู’ุกู ู…ูู†ู’ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ูˆูŽุงููู„ู

This tradition is acted upon by the scholars among the companions of the Prophet and others, that there is no announcement for the Eid prayers, and neither for any other voluntary prayer.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhฤซ 532

It is recommended for men, women, and children to attend the Eid prayer, even the menstruating women. All of the Muslims should attend the prayer unless they have a good excuse.

Umm โ€˜Atiyyah reported:

ูƒูู†ูŽู‘ุง ู†ูุคู’ู…ูŽุฑู ุฃูŽู†ู’ ู†ูŽุฎู’ุฑูุฌูŽ ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ู†ูุฎู’ุฑูุฌูŽ ุงู„ู’ุจููƒู’ุฑูŽ ู…ูู†ู’ ุฎูุฏู’ุฑูู‡ูŽุง ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ู†ูุฎู’ุฑูุฌูŽ ุงู„ู’ุญููŠูŽู‘ุถูŽ ููŽูŠูŽูƒูู†ูŽู‘ ุฎูŽู„ู’ููŽ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุงุณู ููŽูŠููƒูŽุจูู‘ุฑู’ู†ูŽ ุจูุชูŽูƒู’ุจููŠุฑูู‡ูู…ู’ ูˆูŽูŠูŽุฏู’ุนููˆู†ูŽ ุจูุฏูุนูŽุงุฆูู‡ูู…ู’ ูŠูŽุฑู’ุฌููˆู†ูŽ ุจูŽุฑูŽูƒูŽุฉูŽ ุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ ุงู„ู’ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู ูˆูŽุทูู‡ู’ุฑูŽุชูŽู‡ู

We were ordered to come out on the day of Eid, even the young girls and menstruating women from their houses. We would stand behind the men and declare the greatness of Allah along with them, and supplicate to Allah along with them, hoping for the blessings of that day and its purification from sin.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 971, Grade:ย Muttafaqun Alayhi

The Eid prayer is performed slightly different than regular prayers, with seven takbir in the first bowing and five takbir in the second bowing.

โ€˜Amir ibn โ€˜Awf reported:

ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุจููŠูŽู‘ ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูƒูŽุจูŽู‘ุฑูŽ ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽูŠู’ู†ู ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุฃููˆู„ูŽู‰ ุณูŽุจู’ุนู‹ุง ู‚ูŽุจู’ู„ูŽ ุงู„ู’ู‚ูุฑูŽุงุกูŽุฉู ูˆูŽูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุขุฎูุฑูŽุฉู ุฎูŽู…ู’ุณู‹ุง ู‚ูŽุจู’ู„ูŽ ุงู„ู’ู‚ูุฑูŽุงุกูŽุฉู

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would declare the greatness of Allah during the Eid prayer seven times before the recitation in the first cycle and five times before the recitation in the second cycle.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhฤซ 536, Grade:ย Sahih

It is recommended for the Imam to recite in the prayer Surat Qaf and al-Qamar, or Surat al-โ€˜Ala and al-Ghashiyah.

Abu Waqid al-Laythi reported:

ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูŠูŽู‚ู’ุฑูŽุฃู ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุถู’ุญูŽู‰ ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ููุทู’ุฑู ู‚ ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ู‚ูุฑู’ุขู†ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุฌููŠุฏู ูˆูŽุงู‚ู’ุชูŽุฑูŽุจูŽุชู’ ุงู„ุณูŽู‘ุงุนูŽุฉู ูˆูŽุงู†ู’ุดูŽู‚ูŽู‘ ุงู„ู’ู‚ูŽู…ูŽุฑู

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would recite in the Eid prayers, โ€œQaf, by the majestic Quran,โ€ (50:1) and, โ€œThe Hour approaches and the moon is cleft asunder,โ€ (54:1).

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 891, Grade:ย Sahih

Al-Numโ€™an ibn Bashir reported:

ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฑูŽุณููˆู„ู ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูŠูŽู‚ู’ุฑูŽุฃู ูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽูŠู’ู†ู ูˆูŽูููŠ ุงู„ู’ุฌูู…ูุนูŽุฉู ุจูุณูŽุจูู‘ุญู ุงุณู’ู…ูŽ ุฑูŽุจูู‘ูƒูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุนู’ู„ูŽู‰ ูˆูŽู‡ูŽู„ู’ ุฃูŽุชูŽุงูƒูŽ ุญูŽุฏููŠุซู ุงู„ู’ุบูŽุงุดููŠูŽุฉู ู‚ูŽุงู„ูŽ ูˆูŽุฅูุฐูŽุง ุงุฌู’ุชูŽู…ูŽุนูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ุฌูู…ูุนูŽุฉู ูููŠ ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู ูˆูŽุงุญูุฏู ูŠูŽู‚ู’ุฑูŽุฃู ุจูู‡ูู…ูŽุง ุฃูŽูŠู’ุถู‹ุง ูููŠ ุงู„ุตูŽู‘ู„ูŽุงุชูŽูŠู’ู†ู

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would recite in the two Eid prayers and in the Friday prayer the chapters, โ€œGlorify the name of your Lord the Most High,โ€ Quran (87:1) and, โ€œHas there come to you the news of the overwhelming?โ€ (88:1). If the Eid and Friday prayers occurred on the same day, he would recite them in both prayers.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 878, Grade:ย Sahih

After the prayer, the Imam will deliver a sermon in which he will advise people, encourage them to give in charity, and remind them about Allah.

Ibn Abbas reported:

ุดูŽู‡ูุฏู’ุชู ุงู„ู’ููุทู’ุฑูŽ ู…ูŽุนูŽ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุจููŠูู‘ ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ูˆูŽุฃูŽุจููŠ ุจูŽูƒู’ุฑู ูˆูŽุนูู…ูŽุฑูŽ ูˆูŽุนูุซู’ู…ูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฑูŽุถููŠูŽ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู†ู’ู‡ูู…ู’ ูŠูุตูŽู„ูู‘ูˆู†ูŽู‡ูŽุง ู‚ูŽุจู’ู„ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฎูุทู’ุจูŽุฉู ุซูู…ูŽู‘ ูŠูุฎู’ุทูŽุจู

I witnessed the prayer on the day of Eid al-Fitr with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them. They performed the prayer before the sermon, then would deliver the sermon.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 979, Grade:ย Muttafaqun Alayhi

Al-Nawawi commented on this tradition, writing:

ูููŠู‡ู ุฏูŽู„ููŠู„ูŒ ู„ูู…ูŽุฐู’ู‡ูŽุจู ุงู„ู’ุนูู„ูŽู…ูŽุงุกู ูƒูŽุงููŽู‘ุฉู‹ ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ุฎูุทู’ุจูŽุฉูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ุจูŽุนู’ุฏูŽ ุงู„ุตูŽู‘ู„ูŽุงุฉู

In this is evidence for the way of the majority of scholars, that the Eid sermon is after the prayer.

Source: Sharแธฅ al-Nawawฤซ โ€˜alรก แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 6/171

Abu Saโ€™id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would go out on the days of Eid and lead the prayer. When the Prophet finished the prayer and invoked peace, he would stand and turn to people while they were sitting in their places of prayer.

If he needed to dispatch an expedition, he would mention it to the people. If he had another need, he would order them regarding it. The Prophet would say three times:

ุชูŽุตูŽุฏูŽู‘ู‚ููˆุง

Give in charity.

Abu Saโ€™id al-Khudri added:

ูˆูŽูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุฃูŽูƒู’ุซูŽุฑูŽ ู…ูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุชูŽุตูŽุฏูŽู‘ู‚ู ุงู„ู†ูู‘ุณูŽุงุกู ุซูู…ูŽู‘ ูŠูŽู†ู’ุตูŽุฑููู

The women would give the most of those who gave, then the Prophet would return.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ Muslim 889, Grade:ย Sahih

It is voluntary but highly recommended to attend the sermon. If the Eid prayer occurs on a Friday, then it is not necessary for those who attended it to also attend the Friday sermon.

Ibn al-Qayyim writes:

ูˆูŽุฑูŽุฎูŽู‘ุตูŽ ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ู„ูู…ูŽู†ู’ ุดูŽู‡ูุฏูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏูŽ ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุฌู’ู„ูุณูŽ ู„ูู„ู’ุฎูุทู’ุจูŽุฉู ูˆูŽุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุฐู’ู‡ูŽุจูŽ ูˆูŽุฑูŽุฎูŽู‘ุตูŽ ู„ูŽู‡ูู…ู’ ุฅูุฐูŽุง ูˆูŽู‚ูŽุนูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฌูู…ูุนูŽุฉู ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽุฌู’ุชูŽุฒูุฆููˆุง ุจูุตูŽู„ูŽุงุฉู ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ุนูŽู†ู’ ุญูุถููˆุฑู ุงู„ู’ุฌูู…ูุนูŽุฉู

The Prophet made a concession to those who attended the Eid prayer to either listen to the sermon or to depart. He also made a concession not to attend the Friday prayer if Eid prayer falls on a Friday and they attended the Eid prayer.

Source: Zฤd al-Maโ€™ฤd 1/432

It is customary to congratulate one another on the days of Eid and to supplicate for Allah to accept our good deeds during Ramadan and the แธคajj season.

Muhammad ibn Ziyad reported: I was with Abu Umamah al-Bahili and others among the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. When they would return from Eid prayer, they would say to each other:

ุชูŽู‚ูŽุจูŽู‘ู„ูŽ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ู…ูู†ูŽู‘ุง ูˆูŽู…ูู†ู’ูƒ

May Allah accept good deeds from us and from you.

Source: Tฤrฤซkh al-Kabฤซr lil-Bukhฤrฤซ 1/116, Grade:ย Jayyid

Imam Ahmad commented on this tradition, saying:

ูˆูŽู„ูŽุง ุจูŽุฃู’ุณูŽ ุฃูŽู†ู’ ูŠูŽู‚ููˆู„ูŽ ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุฌูู„ ู„ูู„ุฑูŽู‘ุฌูู„ู ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนููŠุฏู ุชูŽู‚ูŽุจูŽู‘ู„ูŽ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ู…ูู†ูŽู‘ุง ูˆูŽู…ูู†ู’ูƒ

There is nothing wrong if a man says to another man on the day of Eid: May Allah accept good deeds from us and from you.

Source: al-Mughnฤซ 2/295

It is recommended to return home from the Eid prayers by following a different direction. This is for us to have a greater opportunity to congratulate and supplicate for one another.

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported:

ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุจููŠูู‘ ุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุงู„ู„ูŽู‘ู‡ู ุนูŽู„ูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ูˆูŽุณูŽู„ูŽู‘ู…ูŽ ุฅูุฐูŽุง ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู ุนููŠุฏู ุฎูŽุงู„ูŽููŽ ุงู„ุทูŽู‘ุฑููŠู‚ูŽ

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would return on the day of Eid by using a different route from which he came.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 986, Grade:ย Sahih

Ibn al-Qayyim commented on this tradition, writing:

ููŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ููŠูุณูŽู„ูู‘ู…ูŽ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุฃูŽู‡ู’ู„ู ุงู„ุทูŽู‘ุฑููŠู‚ูŽูŠู’ู†ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ููŠูŽู†ูŽุงู„ูŽ ุจูŽุฑูŽูƒูŽุชูŽู‡ู ุงู„ู’ููŽุฑููŠู‚ูŽุงู†ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ููŠูŽู‚ู’ุถููŠูŽ ุญูŽุงุฌูŽุฉูŽ ู…ูŽู†ู’ ู„ูŽู‡ู ุญูŽุงุฌูŽุฉูŒ ู…ูู†ู’ู‡ูู…ูŽุง ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ููŠูุธู’ู‡ูุฑูŽ ุดูŽุนูŽุงุฆูุฑูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู„ูŽุงู…ู ูููŠ ุณูŽุงุฆูุฑู ุงู„ู’ููุฌูŽุงุฌู ูˆูŽุงู„ุทูู‘ุฑูู‚ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ููŠูŽุบููŠุธูŽ ุงู„ู’ู…ูู†ูŽุงููู‚ููŠู†ูŽ ุจูุฑูุคู’ูŠูŽุชูู‡ูู…ู’ ุนูุฒูŽู‘ุฉูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู„ูŽุงู…ู ูˆูŽุฃูŽู‡ู’ู„ูŽู‡ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠูŽุงู…ูŽ ุดูŽุนูŽุงุฆูุฑูู‡ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ู„ูุชูŽูƒู’ุซูุฑูŽ ุดูŽู‡ูŽุงุฏูŽุฉู ุงู„ู’ุจูู‚ูŽุงุนู ููŽุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ุงู„ุฐูŽู‘ุงู‡ูุจูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุณู’ุฌูุฏู ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ู…ูุตูŽู„ูŽู‘ู‰ ุฅูุญู’ุฏูŽู‰ ุฎูุทู’ูˆูŽุชูŽูŠู’ู‡ู ุชูŽุฑู’ููŽุนู ุฏูŽุฑูŽุฌูŽุฉู‹ ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ุฃูุฎู’ุฑูŽู‰ ุชูŽุญูุทูู‘ ุฎูŽุทููŠุฆูŽุฉู‹ ุญูŽุชูŽู‘ู‰ ูŠูŽุฑู’ุฌูุนูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ู…ูŽู†ู’ุฒูู„ูู‡ู ูˆูŽู‚ููŠู„ูŽ ูˆูŽู‡ููˆูŽ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุตูŽุญูู‘ ุฅูู†ูŽู‘ู‡ู ู„ูุฐูŽู„ููƒูŽ ูƒูู„ูู‘ู‡ู ูˆูŽู„ูุบูŽูŠู’ุฑูู‡ู ู…ูู†ูŽ ุงู„ู’ุญููƒูŽู…ู ุงู„ูŽู‘ุชููŠ ู„ูŽุง ูŠูŽุฎู’ู„ููˆ ููุนู’ู„ูู‡ู ุนูŽู†ู’ู‡ูŽุง

It is said that the reason he did this was to greet the people with peace who lived on both fairways, or so that the blessings of his passing would reach both areas, or to fulfill the needs of those among them. It is said that he did so to establish the symbols of Islam in the various roads and paths.

Another reason given is that he did so to frustrate the hypocrites when they witnessed the might of Islam and its people. It is said that he did so in order for the various areas to testify to his obedience to Allah.

Surely, he who walks to the mosque and the place of prayer will earn this virtue: one step raises him a degree and another erases a sin until he returns home. It is also said, and this is the correct opinion, that all the reasons mentioned here are possible as well as other unknown wisdom that always accompanied his actions.

Source: Zฤd al-Maโ€™ฤd 1/432

Finally, it is permissible to play games, sing, and enjoy amusement on the days of Eid in moderation and within the limits of Islam.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house when two girls were beside me singing songs of Buโ€™ath. The Prophet laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then, Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly, saying, โ€œMusical instruments of Satan near the Prophet?โ€ The Prophet turned his face toward him and he said:

ุฏูŽุนู’ู‡ูู…ูŽุง

Leave them alone.

When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to the girls and they left. It was the day of Eid and the Abyssinians were playing with shields and spears. Either I asked the Prophet or he asked me whether I would like to watch. I said yes. Then the Prophet made me stand behind him while my cheek was touching his cheek and the Prophet was saying:

ุฏููˆู†ูŽูƒูู…ู’ ูŠูŽุง ุจูŽู†ููŠ ุฃูŽุฑู’ููุฏูŽุฉูŽ

Carry on, O tribe of Arfidah.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 949, Grade:ย Muttafaqun Alayhi

In another narration, the Prophet said:

ุฏูŽุนู’ู‡ูู…ูŽุง ูŠูŽุง ุฃูŽุจูŽุง ุจูŽูƒู’ุฑู ุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ู„ููƒูู„ูู‘ ู‚ูŽูˆู’ู…ู ุนููŠุฏู‹ุง ูˆูŽุฅูู†ูŽู‘ ุนููŠุฏูŽู†ูŽุง ู‡ูŽุฐูŽุง ุงู„ู’ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู

Leave them Abu Bakr. Verily, for every people there is a celebration and this day is our celebration.

Source: แนขaแธฅฤซแธฅ al-Bukhฤrฤซ 3931, Grade:ย Muttafaqun Alayhi

Al-Ghazali derived from these narrations the following points, writing:

ูู‡ุฐู‡ ุงู„ุฃุญุงุฏูŠุซ ูƒู„ู‡ุง ููŠ ุงู„ุตุญูŠุญูŠู† ูˆู‡ูˆ ู†ุต ุตุฑูŠุญ ููŠ ุฃู† ุงู„ุบู†ุงุก ูˆุงู„ู„ุนุจ ู„ูŠุณ ุจุญุฑุงู… ูˆููŠู‡ุง ุฏู„ุงู„ุฉ ุนู„ู‰ ุฃู†ูˆุงุน ู…ู† ุงู„ุฑุฎุต ุงู„ุฃูˆู„ ุงู„ู„ุนุจ ูˆู„ุง ูŠุฎูู‰ ุนุงุฏุฉ ุงู„ุญุจุดุฉ ููŠ ุงู„ุฑู‚ุต ูˆุงู„ู„ุนุจ ูˆุงู„ุซุงู†ูŠ ูุนู„ ุฐู„ูƒ ููŠ ุงู„ู…ุณุฌุฏ ูˆุงู„ุซุงู„ุซ ู‚ูˆู„ู‡ ุตู„ู‰ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู„ูŠู‡ ูˆุณู„ู… ุฏูˆู†ูƒู… ูŠุง ุจู†ูŠ ุฃุฑูุฏุฉ ูˆู‡ุฐุง ุฃู…ุฑ ุจุงู„ู„ุนุจ ูˆุงู„ุชู…ุงุณ ู„ู‡ ููƒูŠู ูŠู‚ุฏุฑ ูƒูˆู†ู‡ ุญุฑุงู…ุง ูˆุงู„ุฑุงุจุน ู…ู†ุนู‡ ู„ุฃุจูŠ ุจูƒุฑ ูˆุนู…ุฑ ุฑุถูŠ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู†ู‡ู…ุง ุนู† ุงู„ุฅู†ูƒุงุฑ ูˆุงู„ุชุบูŠูŠุฑ ูˆุชุนู„ูŠู„ู‡ ุจุฃู†ู‡ ูŠูˆู… ุนูŠุฏ ุฃูŠ ู‡ูˆ ูˆู‚ุช ุณุฑูˆุฑ ูˆู‡ุฐุง ู…ู† ุฃุณุจุงุจ ุงู„ุณุฑูˆุฑ ูˆุงู„ุฎุงู…ุณ ูˆู‚ูˆูู‡ ุทูˆูŠู„ุง ููŠ ู…ุดุงู‡ุฏุฉ ุฐู„ูƒ ูˆุณู…ุงุนู‡ ู„ู…ูˆุงูู‚ุฉ ุนุงุฆุดุฉ ุฑุถูŠ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู†ู‡ุง ูˆููŠู‡ ุฏู„ูŠู„ ุนู„ู‰ ุฃู† ุญุณู† ุงู„ุฎู„ู‚ ููŠ ุชุทูŠูŠุจ ู‚ู„ูˆุจ ุงู„ู†ุณุงุก ูˆุงู„ุตุจูŠุงู† ุจู…ุดุงู‡ุฏุฉ ุงู„ู„ุนุจ ุฃุญุณู† ู…ู† ุฎุดูˆู†ุฉ ุงู„ุฒู‡ุฏ ูˆุงู„ุชู‚ุดู ููŠ ุงู„ุงู…ุชู†ุงุน ูˆุงู„ู…ู†ุน ู…ู†ู‡ ูˆุงู„ุณุงุฏุณ ู‚ูˆู„ู‡ ุตู„ู‰ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู„ูŠู‡ ูˆุณู„ู… ุงุจุชุฏุงุก ู„ุนุงุฆุดุฉ ุฃุชุดุชู‡ูŠู† ุฃู† ุชู†ุธุฑูŠ ูˆู„ู… ูŠูƒู† ุฐู„ูƒ ุนู† ุงุถุทุฑุงุฑ ุฅู„ู‰ ู…ุณุงุนุฏุฉ ุงู„ุฃู‡ู„ ุฎูˆูุง ู…ู† ุบุถุจ ุฃูˆ ูˆุญุดุฉ ูุฅู† ุงู„ุฅู„ุชู…ุงุณ ุฅุฐุง ุณุจู‚ ุฑุจู…ุง ูƒุงู† ุงู„ุฑุฏ ุณุจุจ ูˆุญุดุฉ ูˆู‡ูˆ ู…ุญุฐูˆุฑ ููŠู‚ุฏู… ู…ุญุฐูˆุฑ ุนู„ู‰ ู…ุญุฐูˆุฑ ูุฃู…ุง ุงุจุชุฏุงุก ุงู„ุณุคุงู„ ูู„ุง ุญุงุฌุฉ ููŠู‡ ูˆุงู„ุณุงุจุน ุงู„ุฑุฎุตุฉ ููŠ ุงู„ุบู†ุงุก ูˆุงู„ุถุฑุจ ุจุงู„ุฏู

All of these traditions are reported in the two authentic books, Al-Bukhari and Muslim, and they demonstrate that singing and playing is not unlawful. From them we may deduce the following lessons.

First, it is permissible to play as the Abyssinians were in the habit of dancing and playing.

Second, it is permissible to do this in the mosque.

Third, the Prophetโ€™s saying to Arfidah was a command and a request that they should play, so how then can playing be considered unlawful?

Fourth, the Prophet prevented Abu Bakr and Umar from interrupting and scolding the players and singers, and he told Abu Bakr that this festival was a joyous occasion and that singing was a means on enjoyment.

Fifth, on both occasions he stayed for a long time with Aisha, letting her watch the show of the Abyssinians and listening with her to the girls singing.

This proves that it is better to be good-humored in pleasing women and children with games than to disapprove of such amusements out of a sense of harsh piety and asceticism. Sixth, the Prophet encouraged Aisha by asking her if she would like to watch. Seventh, singing and playing with the drum is permissible.

Source: Iแธฅyฤโ€™ Ulลซm al-Dฤซn 2/278

Permission to play, sing, and enjoy amusement on the days of Eid is due to the flexible, lenient, and moderate nature of Islam. In fact, the Prophet specifically wanted the Jews to witness the Muslims enjoying the days of Eid so that they could see the virtues of Islamic legislation, as many of them endured harsher prohibitions in their own religion.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, placed my chin on his shoulder so I could look at the Abyssinians until I felt tired and turned away from them. The Prophet said:

ู„ูŽุชูŽุนู’ู„ูŽู…ู ูŠูŽู‡ููˆุฏู ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘ ูููŠ ุฏููŠู†ูู†ูŽุง ููุณู’ุญูŽุฉู‹ ุฅูู†ูู‘ูŠ ุฃูุฑู’ุณูู„ู’ุชู ุจูุญูŽู†ููŠูููŠูŽู‘ุฉู ุณูŽู…ู’ุญูŽุฉู

That the Jews may knowย that there is flexibility in our religion. Verily, I have been sent with an upright, lenient religion.

Source: Musnad Aแธฅmad 24584, Grade:ย Sahih

Therefore, we should do our best to follow the traditions of the days of Eid. We should wear our best clothes, perform a ritual bath, exalt Allah on the way to prayer, attend the Eid sermon, give in charity, congratulate and supplicate for each other, and enjoy our celebration within the limits of Islam.

We ask Allah to accept our good deeds and bless our days of Eid.

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

Abu Amina