EID PRAYERS (SALATUL EIDAIN)

Eid prayer is a strongly recommended and important tradition in Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) never neglected it. He (PBUH) is reported to have ordered the men, women and children to proceed to the Eid prayer ground.

Self Preparation for Eid Prayer

It is highly recommended to have major ablution (Islamically correct bath or ghusl) and to use the most beautiful dresses and the best perfumes one can obtain. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do so. There is also a tradition that one should eat something, preferably dates, before going to the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer and to eat nothing before Eid-ul-Adha prayer.

Time:

The time for Eid-ul-Adha is when the sun has risen two meters (7 ft.) above the horizon and the time for Eid-ul-Fitr is while the sun has risen to three meters (10 ft.) above the horizon. Eid prayers cannot be said after midday.

Place:

It is better to hold Eid prayers in an open place or ground if there is no obstacle like rain or bad weather. The Prophet never performed Eid prayers in the mosque except once due to rain.

No Azan, No Iqamah:

There is neither Azhan nor Iqamah for Eid prayers.

Performance of Eid Prayers:

Eid prayer consists of two Rakat with twelve takbeeras, (Allahu Akbar), seven in the first Rakat and five in the second. In the first Rakat just after takbeeratul Ihram, say seven Takbeeras lifting your hands with each Takbeera and after finishing seven Takbeeras go on with prayer in the usual way (reading al Fatiha and surah aloud.) In the beginning of the second Rak'a say five Takbeeras in the usual way. There is no special Dhikr between Takbeeras - you can say Subhanalla Walhamdu Lillahi Wa Laa Ilaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar.

Khutba:

After performing the Salat, the Imam must deliver a khutba just like jum'a khutba.

Returning:

On returning home from the salat, it is recommended to take a different route than that which was taken to the prayer.

Takbir:

It is strongly recommended to repeat in a loud voice (a) Allahu Akbar, on the way to the salat and while waiting for the imam; (b) to repeat Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allahu, wa Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi-l-hamd after every congregational prayer starting from the fajr, (dawn prayer) on the day of Arafat (ninth day of Dhul Hijja), to the 'asr (afternoon prayer) on the last of the Days of Tashriq (the thirteenth day of Dhul Hijja). For the Pilgrims, the starting time is the Zohur, (noon prayer) of the Day of Nahr (tenth of Zhul Hijja).

It is clear that this takbir applies only to Eid-ul-Adha while the first applies to both.

Zakatul Fitr:

Zakatul Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman, adult and child. It should be distributed before the prayer of Eid. Every person, having savings beyond his own and his family's feeding for one day and night should give two dollars for himself and for everyone he looks after. Zakatul Fitr is meant to purify the fasting (saum) and to keep everybody in society happy and pleasant - rich and poor equally - so that nobody should go hungry on that day. Thus, it presents a magnificent example of comprehensive social justice in Islam.

Sacrificial Slaughter:

Sacrificial slaughter on EId-ul-Adha is a strongly recommended tradition. It reflects the fact that the Muslim being a committed, obedient servant of Allah is always ready to sacrifice anything, even his life, in Allah's way. Udhhiya is an imitation and remembrance of the great sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim submitted to God by attempting to sacrifice his own son, Isma'il, to fulfil the command of Allah Almighty.

The following are the essentials of sacrifice:

i) Allah's name (Bismillahi Allahu Akbar) must be said while slaughtering.

ii) Udhhiya cannot be slaughtered before Eid prayer. It should be done immediately after prayers or in the three days after Eid: Zhul Hajj 11, 12, 13.

iii) Udhhiya can be a goat, sheep, cow, bull, buffalo or camel of either sex. Pregnant female animals should not be slaughtered. Seven persons can share in the last named four animals.

iv) The meat of the slaughtered animal should be divided into three parts. It is essential to give one third as gift to the poor and the needy. One third should be given to friends and relatives and one third kept to oneself.

v) For one who intends to make the sacrificial slaughter it is sunnah not to shave his hair or clip his nails after Zhul Hajj moon is sighted, until the time of slaughter. (Sahih Muslim)

Enjoyment in Eid Days:

Islam urges us to enjoy life with every lawful means of enjoyment. Especially on Eid days the Islamic spirit of enjoyment and brotherhood becomes manifest. Thus Islam nourishes the spiritual aspirations of mankind along with its physical abilities.

On these days everyone should be happy with his wife, his children, his Muslim brothers and sisters. Show mutual concern by exchanging gifts, smiling on the face of each other and expressing sincere love and affection to show the bondage of real brotherhood which stems from the belief in Allah. All Muslims should cherish brotherly feeling in their hearts toward each other, avoid talking behind each other's backs, avoid blaming one another and avoid causing disruption in the Muslim community. These are days when we should glorify the symbols of Allah and observe His signs to have piety in our hearts.

Method of Eid prayers

First make the Niyyah (intention) by reciting "I intend to perform two raka'ats Eid-ul-Fitr / Eid-ul-Adh'ha waajib with six waajib takbeers."
Then raising both hands up to the ears, say Allahu Akbar, this is Takbeer-e-Tahreemah, which will followed by three Waajib Takbeers,and fold your hands in the front and recite the ‘Sanaa’, subhaanakallahumma till the end and then say Allahu Akbar thrice, each time raising both hands up to the ears and drop them. After each takbeer there should be a pause in which Subhanallah may be recited thrice. After the third takbeer the hands should be dropped but fo1ded in front and recite Aoozubillah, Bismillah, Surah Fatehaa and some other Surah and then perform Ruku and Sajdah as usual. The recitation by the lmaam should be done loudly.
The second raka’at will be performed in such a way that Surah Fatehaa and some other Surah will be recited first, then three takbeers will be said, as in the first raka’at. In all these three takbeers hands will not to be folded but dropped after each takbeer. And then go into the Ruku just after the fourth takbeer.

Mas'alah: Khutbah after the Eid Salaat is Sunnah. However the listening of the Khutbah is Waajib.


Things to do on Eid

The special acts of the month of Ramadhaan (fasting) terminate with the coming of Eid. The first day of Shawwaal is called Eid-ul-Fitr and the tenth day of Zilhijjah is called Eid-ul-Adhhaa. These two Eids are of great rejoicing for the Muslims.

On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr 13 things are Sunnah:

To adorn oneself as permitted by Shari'at.
To take a bath.
To clean the teeth with Miswaak.
To wear the best cloths that one has.
To use perfume.
To rise early in the morning.
To go to the Eid Gaah very early.
To eat something sweet like dates before going to the Eid Gaah.
To give Sadqa-e-Fitr before going to Eid Gaah.(Price of 2Kg wheat approximately Pk Rs.20 per head)
To offer Eid prayer in the Eid Gaah, that is not to offer it in the mosque of the locality without any legitimate excuse.
To go to the Eid Gaah by one way and to come back another way.
To go on foot.
To recite slowly on the way to the Eid Gaah,
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd."
"Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest and all praises are for Allah only."


'Eid a Day of remembrance

Each 'Eid is a Day of remembrance.
Even in their most joyful times the Muslims make the Day by a plural session of worship to Allah.

They pray to Him and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favours.

Along with that course, they remember the deceased by prayer for their souls, the needy by extending a hand of help, the grieved by showing them sympathy and consolation, the sick by cheerful visits and utterances of good wishes, the absentees by cordial greetings and sincere considerateness, etc.

Thus the meaning of remembrance on the Day transcends all limits and expands over far-reaching dimensions of human life.



'Eid a Day of forgiveness

Each 'Eid is a Day of forgiveness.
When a Muslim assemble in the congregation of the Day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. And Allah has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His mercy and forgiveness. In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself before Allah to hold any enmity or ill feelings toward his brethren.

A true Muslim would be deeply impressed by this brotherly and spiritual assembly, and would overcome hid feting if he has been exposed to any. Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the Day to purify his heart and soul.

In any case, he would forgive those who might have wronged him; because he himself would be praying for Allah's forgiveness, and would do his best to acquire it.

The spirit of this highly devotional assembly would teach him that if he forgives he will be forgiven.

And when he forgives, the virtue of forgiveness will be mercifully exercised by Allah, and widely exchanged between the Muslims. And that marks the Day as a Day of Forgiveness.


'Eid a Day of Peace

Each 'Eid is a Day of peace.
When a Muslim establishes peace within his heart by obeying the Law of Allah and leading a disciplinary life, he has certainly concluded a most invioble treaty of peace with Allah.

Once a person is at peace with Allah, he is at peace with himself and, consequently, with the rest of the universe.

So when he celebrates the 'Eid in the right manner, he is actually celebrating the conclusion of a Peace Treaty between himself and Allah, and this marks the 'Eid as a Day of Peace.

That is the proper meaning of an Islaamic 'Eid: a Day of Peace and Thanksgiving, a Day of forgiveness and moral victory, A Day of Good Harvest and remarkable Achievements, and a Day of Festive Remembrance. An Islaamic 'Eid is all this and is much more; because it is a Day Of ISLAAM, a Day of Allah.




'Eid a Day of victory

Each 'Eid is a Day of victory. The individual who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the 'Eid with a victorious spirit.

The individual who faithfully observes the duties, which are associated with the 'Eid, is a triumphant one.

He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the taste of disciplinary life.

And once a person acquires these qualities he has achieved his greatest victory;

because the person who knows how to control himself and discipline his desires is flee from sin and wrong, from fear and cowardice, from vice and indecency, from jealousy and greed, from humiliation and all other causes of enslavement.

So, when he receives the 'Eid, which marks the achievement of this freedom, he is in fact celebrating his victory, and the 'Eid thus becomes a Day of victory.


'Eid a Harvest Day

Each 'Eid is a Harvest Day.
All the good workers in the service of Allah,
all the faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds on the Day,
as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly.

The Islaamic society, on the other hand, collect the due subscriptions to religious brotherhood and social responsibility, in which subscriptions are paid in the form of mutual love, sympathy and concern. Every member of the Islaamic society will be reaping some fruits or collecting some revenue in one way or another.

Allah gives infinitely, especially to those who are sincerely concerned with the general welfare of their fellow believers. Those beneficiaries who cannot give will receive, along with Allah's enormous grants, the contribution to their fellow benefactors. The haves and have-nots will all enjoy the providence of Allah in a most plural fashion, and the Day will indeed be a Good Harvest Day.

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Live By The Sword,Die By The Sword