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Eid
- Playing, recreation, and eating on the day of Eid:
These are permissible as log as they stay within the acceptable bounds of Islam.
Anas said: When the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, came to Madinah,
they had two days for amusement. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, has
exchanged these days for two better days:the day of breaking the fast and the
day of sacrifice. (Related by An-Nasa'e and Ibn Hibban)
- Taking women and children to the prayer area:
The Prophet sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to take his wives and daugthers
ot the two Eids. Umm Atiyah said: "We were ordered to go out with the single and
menstruating women to the two Eids in order to wtiness the good and the
supplications of the Muslims. The menstruating women though would stay away from
the prayer area." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
- Going to the prayer area:
The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to go to the prayer area by
walking. Jaber narrated: "On the days of Eid, the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, would go to the prayer area by one route and come back by another
route." (Related by al-Bukhari)
- Eating before going to the prayer area:
Since Eid al-Fitr is the day on which Muslims break their Ramadhan fast, it is
preferable to eat before going to the Eid prayer. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet,
sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, to eat an odd number of dates before going to
pray Salat al-Eid. Anas reported: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam,
would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr without eating an odd number of
dates."(Related by al-Bukhari.)
- Preparation for Eid prayer:
It is preferred to make Ghusl (take a bath), wear one's best clothes and, for
men, to put perfume before going to Salat al-Eid. Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "The
Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to wear his best clothes for the
Eid prayers and eh had clothes that he reserved for the two Eids and Jumu'ah."
- Making Takbeer:
Takbeer starts from the nght of Eid's eve until the Imam comes ot to start the
prayer. Allah says (S2 A185): "You should complete the prescribed period and
then you should glorify Allah (i.e., say Takbeer) for having guided you so that
yo may be grateful to Him." The form of takbeer is related by `Umar and Ibn
Mas`ud: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La illaha illallah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu
Akbar wa lillahil-hamd."
- Congratulating each other:
It has been narrated that when the Prophet's companions met each other on the
Eid day, they would say to each other: "May Allah accept from us and from you."
(Related by Ahmad.)
Zakat Al Fitr
Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim at the end of the month
of Ramadan. Ibn `Umar said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam,
enjoined the payment of one Sa'a of dates or one Sa'a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr
on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave." (Related by
al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one who has fasted from any type
of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting. It also helps
the poor and the needy. Ibn Abbas said: "The Messanger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on the one who fasts to shield him from any
indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy."
(Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)
The Amount of Zakat al-Fitr:
As the first hadeeth indicated, the amout of Zakat al-Fitr is one Sa'a. Sa'a is
a volume measure correspoding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat.
The material of the Zakat can be either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or
similar items considered as basic foods. Abu Saeed said: "We used to give for
Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during
the lifetime of the Messanger of Allah,sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, one Sa'a
of food, or one Sa'a of dried yogurt, or one Sa'a of barley, or one Sa'a of
dates, or one Sa'a of raisins." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Time for Zakat al-Fitr:
Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan. There are two times to pay
Zakat al-Fitr. Either one or two days before Eid as 'Umar used to do, or the day
of Eid before the Eid prayer. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, ordered them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out to perform the
Eid prayer. If Zakat al-Fitr is paid after the Eid prayer, it will only be
considered as regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said:
"If one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the Salat, it is considered an accepted Zakat,
if he pays it after the Salat, it is considered an ordinary charity." (Related
by Abu Dawud.)
Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories or people as in the
other types of Zakat. Some scholars say that the poor and the nedy are the most
deserving ones since the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said that it
had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy."
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