It is not allowed for a Muslim to observe fast on the day of any of the Eids ( Eid Al- Fitr as well as Eid Al-Adha ). This is clearly mentioned in following hadith. Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (RA) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) prohibited two fasts: Fasting the ‘ Day of Adha ’ and the ‘ Day of Fitr ’. (Hadith No. 772, Chapters on Fasting, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2). 2. Paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or Zakat- ul-Fitr ) Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is obligatory and is to be paid by every Muslim who falls under the Nisāb, before leaving the house for Eid prayers. Rasool-Allah (PBUH) was very particular about this, as is evident from the hadith given below: 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 . (Hadith No. 1509, Book of Zakat, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2; Hadith No. 677, Chapters on Zakat, Jami’-At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2). We have discussed the details associated with payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr in one of our previous discussions under the subject heading of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr , and the same may be referred for the details regarding Nisāb, calculation, timings etc. for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr . 3. Salat on the day of Eid Al-Fitr The first thing on the morning of Eid Al-Fitr is to offer Salat of Eid. This is one of the voluntary Salats , but the significance associated with this Salat shall be obvious in due course of our discussion. Let us understand this in further sub- classifications. 3.1. It is recommended to eat something before leaving for Salat on the morning of Eid Al-Fitr . Narrated Anas bin Mālik (RA): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) never proceeded for Salat on the Day of Eid Al-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) used to eat odd no. of dates. (Hadith No. 953, Book of The Two Eid Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2). This narration highlights the act of eating before proceeding for Salat , in order to prove that this is the ‘Day of breaking fast’. This is yet another example of Hikma h of our beloved Prophet (PBUH). 3.2. Women are encouraged to join Salat of Eids (Eid Al-Fitr as well as Eid Al-Adha ). Islam encourages all of us to offer Salat of Eid in congregation and take our families along with us. This is very important in the essence of unity of Muslims. Refer to following hadith: Narrated Umm Atiyya (RA): We were ordered to go out (for Eid) and also take along with us the menstruating women, mature girls and virgins staying in seclusion. The menstruating women could present themselves at the religious gathering and invocation of Muslims, but should keep away from their Musalla. (Hadith No. 981, Book of The Two Eid Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2). The very fact that all family members, even the menstruating women, are supposed to go out for Eid gatherings, highlights the importance of Eid prayer. However, it is clear that menstruating women may join in invocation but cannot offer Salat . 3.3. Time of Salat for Eid It is recommended not to delay Eid Salat and offer it on the morning of Eid, as early as the time for voluntary prayers starts (i.e. just after sunrise). This is the Sunnah way, as is clear from following hadith: 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).” (Hadith No. 1135, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1). 3.4. No Salat just before or after Eid prayer Narrated Ibn Abbas (RA): The Prophet (PBUH) offered a two raka’at Salat on the day of Eid Al-Fitr and he did not offer any Salat before or after it. Then he went towards women along with Bilal (RA) and ordered them to give alms and so they started giving their ear-rings and necklaces (in charity). (Hadith No. 964, Book of The Two Eid Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2). In other places it is mentioned that Ibn Abbas (RA) disliked offering any Salat before Eid prayer. Therefore, we should not pray any other prayer just before or after Eid prayer. It is not a prohibition, but a disliked thing. 3.5. There is no Adhan and/or Iqamah for Eid prayer. It is very clear from almost all collections of ahadith and there is a consensus of all scholars about this ruling. Refer to following hadith: 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 .’ (Hadith No. 2049 (886), Book of The Two Eid Prayers, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2). 3.6. No. of raka’at and Takbirs in Eid prayer The hadith mentioned in Section 3.4 above tells us that Eid prayer comprises of two raka’at. However, there are some additional Takbirs in this prayer, the details of which are evident from following narration: Kathir bin Abdullah narrated from his father, from his grandfather: “The Prophet (PBUH) said the Takbir in first (raka’at) seven (times) before recitation, and in the last, five (times) before recitation.” (Hadith No. 536, Chapters on The Two Eid, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 1). The jurists of Al-Madinah, Imam Mālik and Imam Ahmad are of the view that there are seven Takbirs including the opening Takbir in the first raka’at before recitation, and five Takbir in second raka’at before recitation . Now if others disagree and chose a different procedure of Takbirs , which is not authenticated by ahadith, it cannot be justified. 3.7. There is a Khutba after Eid prayer. Salat of Eid is followed by a Khutba (i.e. a religious sermon). Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (RA): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to offer As-Salat of Eid Al-Adha & Eid Al-Fitr , and then deliver the Khutba after As-Salat . (Hadith No. 957, Book of The Two Eid Festivals, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2). 3.8. What shall one do if he misses Eid prayer? Whoever misses Eid prayer, should offer two raka’at his place or anywhere he/she can. This is another ruling that highlights the importance of Eid prayer, as there is no such requirement of offering any other voluntary prayer if someone misses that on prescribed time. 3.9. A special case when Eid falls on Friday If Eid falls on a Friday, then it is permissible for a person not to offer Friday prayers if he has already offered the Eid prayers in congregation . This is a very noble exception for us and there probably cannot be a better narration to support the importance of Eid prayer. It gives an insight to the beauty of Islam, for the one who wish to understand. Others will keep arguing about authenticity of this exception. It is to be understood clearly that there are several authentic ahadith that proves this ruling. I shall quote few of them. It was reported that Ilyas bin Abi Ramlah Ash-Shami said: I was present when Muawiyah bin Abi Sufiyan asked Zaid bin Arqam: ‘Did you witness two Eid (i.e. the Eid and the Juma’a) being combined on one day during the time of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)? He replied, ‘Yes.’ So he said: ‘He (Prophet, PBUH) prayed the Eid then he was lenient about Friday prayer, for he said: “Whoever wishes to pray can pray.” (Hadith No. 1070, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1). Are there doubts still about this ruling? OK, let us see one more hadith to clear our doubts. Al-A’Mash reported from Ata bin Abi Rabah that he said: Ibn Az-Zubair (RA) once led us in the early morning in the Eid prayer, and it happened to be on a Friday. Then we went to attend Friday prayer, but he did not come out (to give Khutba etc.). So we prayed by ourselves (without congregation). And Ibn Abbas (RA) at that time was in Al-Ta’if, so when he came back we informed him this. He said: ‘He has followed Sunnah.’ (Hadith No. 1071, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:27:36 +0000
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