“Eid was named Eid because it returns every year with renewed happiness,” (Ibn-ul-Arabee)
ALHAMDULILAH, we have been granted the great blessings of Islam, and being Muslim. Eid, is a time for celebration a time for joy and ‘partying.' Eid Al-Fitr is the Eid of breaking the fast, and ‘feasting.' What better way to celebrate than in a manner that is pleasing to Allah and that will earn us rewards? On the day of Eid we are encouraged to have a ghusul before going to the Eid prayer. “Abdullah Ibn Umar used to bathe on the day of Fitr before setting out to the musallah.” (Muwatta) As Muslims we should maintain cleanliness, before we do anything, especially on a special day such as Eid. Muslims should also adorn themselves on the Eid. Jabir narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a cloak, which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. (Sahih by Ibn Khuzaymah). It is encouraged that one dresses up, however, women, should not dress up when going out, but may do so in their homes, and in the correct company in which there is gender segregation. Next a person should eat before going to the Eid prayer. Anas reported, that the Messenger (peace be upon him) would not set out in the morning of Eid Al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates.” (Bukhari and others). Imam Al-Muhallab explained the reason behind this practice of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as follows, “The wisdom behind eating before the Eid prayer is so that no person with doubt in his mind thinks that the fasting remains until after the prayer. So it is as if he (peace be upon him) wanted to stop this from occurring.” Another Sunnah is that a person recites the takbeer aloud until one reaches the musallah, and then until the imam comes out. However, the takbeer should not be recited in congregation together with others, rather one should recite it individually. It is reported from the sahabah that they used to say, Greeting and wishing good is also recommended on the Eid, and on other special occasions, for it is good manners to do so. When the companions used to meet each other on the day of Eid they said, “May Allah accept it from you and us.” However, Imam Ahmad said, “I do not initiate greeting anybody but if they begin I answer them and that is because answering a greeting is obligatory. As for initiating greetings (of Eid) then it is not from the requested Sunnah and neither is it from that which is prohibited. Therefore whosoever does it has a precedent and whosoever leaves it also has a precedent - and Allah knows best.” The Eid prayer is considered obligatory from the strongest opinion of the scholars, and that all the Muslims attend the Eid prayer, the young and old alike and women who are menstruating. The sermon of Khutbah of Eid is delivered after the Eid Salah, unlike the Salah it is not obligatory, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “verily we shall give a sermon, so whoever wishes to stay for the sermon then let him stay and whoever wishes to depart then let him depart.” (An-Nisa'I, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)
One may also give gifts, particularly to children, and generally the Eid day should be made special and different to other days. In this regard the Prophet (pbuh) permitted listening to the Daff played by young girls, as a means of amusement as long as they are within the perimeters of that which is allowed in Islam. One may also make sweets, cakes, and partake of meal unique to Eid. This is a summary of the practices of Eid, that a Muslim should undertake. For more information on this issue please visit, http://islamqa.info/en/36442 and ‘The Ruling Concerning The Two Eids From The Purified Sunnah' by Shaykh Abul Haarith Alee Hassan Alee Abdul Hameed.
