Sunnahs of 'Eed
1) It is Sunnah to dress in the best clothes we have on Eed. It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar radiyAllahu anhu used to do that along with other Companions of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam. [Fath al-Baaree]
2) It is a must (Waajib) to pray Eed al-Fitr Prayer. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam and his Companions never ceased doing it, and they even gathered the people for it including women who were having their menses, children and the elderly. [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
3) It is Sunnah to eat dates before we leave for Eed prayer to show that we are not fasting. " The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam used not to leave for Eed Prayer (except) after eating some dates." [Bukhaaree and Ahmad]
4) It is Sunnah to say Takbeer loudly when leaving our homes to go to Eed Prayer. The Prophet used to say this until he finished the Prayer. [Silsilat Al-ahadeeth As-Sunnah]
5) There is no Hadeeth related to Rasoolullaah sallalahu alayhi wa sallam as to what should be said when reciting
Takbeer on the way to Prayer, but Ibn Mas'ood used to say the following:
Allaahu Akbar (Twice) Allaah is great
Laa Illaha Illallaaha There is none worthy of worship except Allaah
Allaahu Akbar (Twice) Allaah is great
Wa Lillaahil Hamd And to Him belongs all Praise
[Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah]
6) The Sunnah for Eed Prayers is to pray in the Musallah (that is in an uncovered place) and not in the Masjid. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam never prayed Eed Prayer in the Masjid. Aboo Sa'eed radiyAllahu anahu reported:
" The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam used to go on the day of 'Eed-al-Fitr and Eed-al-Adhaa to the Musallah, and the first thing he did was to pray." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
7) Neither Adhaan nor Iqaamah are pronounced for Eed Prayer. [Muslim]
8 ) Ibn Abbaas reported: "The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam prayed two Raka'ahs for the Eed prayer and did not pray before it or after it." [Bukhaaree]
9) Jabir radiyAllahu anhu reported: "The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam used to come back from 'Eed-al-Fitr on a path other than the one used in going to it." [Bukhaaree]
10) It is permitted to listen to songs (without music) on 'Eed day especially for children. [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Bid'ahs of 'Eed
1) To shave the beards especially for 'Eed. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam has ordered us not to shave our beards; so it is a shame that, on this great day of demonstrating our differences in ceremonies to those of the Mushriks, that some Muslim shaves his beard so that he looks "clean" like the Mushriks.
2) To imitate the Mushriks in their practices and dress, and to shake hands with women. The
Prophet said: "It is better that a man is hit with needle on his head than to touch a woman who is not lawful for him." [Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Sunnah]
3) To listen to music on 'Eed. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam said:"There will be some in my nation who will regard adultery, men dressing in silk, drinking intoxicants (al-Khamr), and musical instruments to be lawful." [Bukhaaree, Abu Dawood and Bayhaqee]
4) For women not to wear Hijaab. To do so is to celebrate 'Eed while committing a major sin.
5) To visit the graveyard especially on Eed. It is permitted to visit the graveyard all year long so we should not make a special case out of it on 'Eed.
6) To waste money and being extravagant with food instead of giving them to poor.
We ask Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala to help us avoid all Bid'ah and to guide us in following the Sunnah of His Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, aameen.
Zakatul-Fitr - How to pay
Ramadaan, the 9th month of the hijree calendar, is well known for (1) Siyaam (abstaining from
food, drink, and sex ; paying extra-attention to refraining from lying, backbiting, slander, vain talk,
fighting that is not for the cause of Allah, etc; and for abstinence from such things as smoking,
music, movies, unnecessary television, cursing etc. from dawn to dusk and (2) Taraweeh: a
replacement for tahajjud of multiple two-rakaat prayers that do not excceed a total of eight
rakaats.
However, besides practicing more Taqwaa (Allaah-consciousness) not enjoying certain amenities
of life for several hours, and being vigilant there are other acts of worship particular to Ramadaan.
Most notably is Zakaat ul-Fitr, also called Sadaqah al-Fitr. Fitr means breaking a fast; zakaah is
an alms-tax which literally means to purify, to grow; and sadaqah means contribution or donation.
Zakaat ul-Fitr is compulsory to be paid on every Muslim.
Who should pay Zakaat ul-Fitr?
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah prescribed the Zakaat ul-Fitr on every slave, free
person, male, female, young and elderly among the Muslims [Bukhaaree Vol I no.579. Muslim no.
2149, Abu Daawood no. 1608]. The head of the house hold may give the required amount for
ones house. Sadaqah al-Fitr is compulsory on one even if he or she embraced Islam in the last
seconds of Ramadaan.
The same applies if a woman gives birth. Conversely, If someone dies before the close of
Ramadaan his or her heirs are excused from paying for the deceased.
When should it be paid?
Zakaat ul-Fitr must be paid before Salaat ul-Eed. If one misses paying it before the prayer without
a good reason it is not considered Zakaah but Sadaqa (charity).
Naafi' transmitted that Ibn Umar used to pay fitr a day or two before the Eed prayer [Bukhaaree &
Muslim, Abu Daawood]. Whoever pays fitr after the Eed prayer wlll not get the blessings of it
because it will be rendered as regular Sadaqah [see Abu Daawood no. 1605]
It would be strongly advisable for one to pay Zakaah ul-Fitr before the prayer because it purifies
the faster of idle deeds and vain talk committed during Ramadaan [Abu Daawood no. 1605] as
well as providing its recipients in time for the Islamic holiday.
What is its amount?
The amount of Zakaat ul-Fitr is one saa (two handfuls/kilo/40 grams/4.5 lbs/112 oz/beaker of
dates, barley, raisins, cheese, grain of wheat [see Muslim no.2151 & 2154]. Some scholars say
any topic of food that is common in a particular region can be given for fitr, e.g. flour, ground beef,
or milk in the United States.
How should it be given?
Items other than food such as money, clothes, furniture, etc. cannot be given as Zakat al-fitr.
because it is contrary to what the Prophet commanded and what Allah wants.
The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Whoever introduces anything in this matter (deen) of ours will have it rejected." [Bukhaaree
Vol 3 no. 861. Muslim no.4266, Abu Daawood no.4589]
Paying Zakaat ul-Fitr is an act of worship, and through the Quran and authentic Sunnah all acts of
worship are described. Therefore, to add, subtract, or alter any act of worship is a bida'h. Thus,
paying zakaah al-fitr by other than food is a bida'h and every bid'ah eventually leads to the fire
[see Abu Daawood no. 4590].
Not giving money for fitr is as Sunnah at-Turkeeyah (An action, the abandonment of which is a
Prophetic Sunnah). Money existed and was prevalent in the Prophet's time but he did not nor did
the Companions or Taabi'oon (followers of the Companions) use any money for Fitr. For sure the
Prophet sallalahu alayhi wa sallam was, is, and always will be the best of worshippers and the Companions and
Taabi'oon are the best of generations in understanding and practicing Islaam [See Soorah's
4:115 and 3:110, Bukhaaree Vol 3 and 5, Abu Daawood no.4586].