On Wednesday, 10 April 2024, Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast”, will be celebrated as by Muslims worldwide to mark the ending of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.
Here are things Muslims are recommended to do on the day of Eid al-Fitr:
1 – To take a bath on the morning of ‘Eid:
Ibn Umar would bathe on the morning of Eīd. Muwatta of Imām Mālik. Authenticated by Imām Nawawī in Majmoū’.
2 – Wear the best clothes for the day. As for women, they should not beautify themselves when they go out to the ‘Eīd prayer-place in front of everyone:
It is also known that Ibn ‘Umar would dress in his best clothes for the ‘Eīd. Sunan Al-Bayhaqī (3/281). Authenticated by Imām Ibn Rajab in Fath Al-Bārī (6/68).
3 – It is Sunnah to eat dates before we leave for ‘Eīd Al-Fitr Prayer:
Anas bin Mālik narrates Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of `Eīd-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet ﷺ used to eat odd number of dates. Sahīh Bukhārī (no. 953).
4 – It is Sunnah to say Takbīr (saying Allāhu Akbar):
‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the Imām came out (to lead the prayers). The chain of transmission is authentic as mentioned by Shaykh Al-Albānī in Irwā’ Al-Ghalīl (3/122).
One can say:
الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر كبيراً
Allāhu Akbar, Allāh Akbar, Allāhu Akbar Kabīra. Musannaf Abdur Razzāq (118).
The Takbir begins after the night of Eīd has begun (after the last Iftār) and ends when the ‘Eīd Prayer is completed.
5 – Offering congratulations. Such as saying to one another:
Taqabbala Allāh minnā wa minkum – May Allāh accept (the good deeds) from us and from you.
Recorded in Al-Hāwī fi Fatāwa of Imām Suyutī (1/94). Authenticated by Shaykh Albāni in Tamīm Al-Minnah (no. 355)
6 – It is Sunnah to pray the ‘Eīd Prayer outdoors:
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to go out to the prayer-place on the day of (‘Eīd) al-Fitr and al-Adhā. Sahīh Bukhārī (no. 956).
7 – It is prescribed for the one who goes out to the Eid prayer to go by one route and return by another:
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet ﷺ would vary his route, i.e., he would go via one route and come back via a different route. Sahīh Bukhārī (no. 986).
Reference: Primary source – https://dorar.net/feqhia/1756/الفصل-الثاني:-آداب-يوم-العيد
