Etiquettes of Eid-ul-Fitr
As Ramadan comes to end, Muslims start preparing for the month of Shawwāl. The month of Shawwāl is marked by the festival of Eid, known as Eid Al-Fitr. As per authentic narrations found in ahadith, Al-Fitr is the day that the people break fast. So, Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated on the day just after when the month of fasting ends i.e. the first day of the month of Shawwāl. This day is confirmed by sighting of moon. Following hadith explains to us the Sunnah way of confirming the day of Eid Al-Fitr.
- Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (RA): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) mentioned Ramadan and said, “Do not observe fasting unless you see the crescent moon (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent moon (of Shawwāl); but if the sky is overcast and you can’t see the moon, then act on estimation (i.e. count 30 days each for Shaban & Ramadan).” ~ Bukhari
- Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (RA) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) prohibited two fasts: Fasting the ‘Day of Adha’ and the ‘Day of Fitr’. ~ Tirmidhi
- Ibn Umar (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) would order paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr before going to Salat on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. ~ Bukhari
- Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, “Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah’s Apostle !” It happened on the ‘Id day and Allah’s Apostle said, “O Abu Bakr! There is an ‘Id for every nation and this is our ‘Id.” ~ Bukhari
- Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of ‘Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet used to eat odd number of dates. ~ Bukhari
- Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Umar: Allah’s Apostle used to offer the prayer of ‘Id-ul-Adha and ‘Id-ul-Fitr and then deliver the Khutba after the prayer. ~ Bukhari
- It was narrated from Ibn Juraij, who said: Atā informed me from Ibn Abbas (RA) and Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (RA), who said: ‘There was no Adhan called on the day of Al-Fitr or Al-Adha’. I asked him about that later on and he said: ‘Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (RA) informed me that there was no Adhan for the prayer on the day of Al-Fitr, neither before the Imam came out nor afterwards, and there was no Iqamah or call or anything; no call on that day and no Iqamah.’ ~ Muslim
- Yazid bin Khumair Ar-Rahabi said: Abdullah bin Busr, the companion of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), once went with the people on the day of Eid (Fitr or Adha). He criticized the delay of Imam and said, “We used to be finished at this hour (and that was the time one could pray voluntary prayers i.e. just after sunrise).” ~ Abu Dawud
- Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet offered a two Rakat prayer on the Day of Id ul Fitr and he did not pray before or after it. Then he went towards women along with Bilal and ordered them to pay alms and so they started giving their earrings and necklaces (in charity). ~ Bukhari
- Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: On the Day of ‘Id the Prophet used to return (after offering the ‘Id prayer) through a way different from that by which he went. ~ Bukhari
