The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is not something, which Muslims have fabricated, or created on their own, neither is it celebrated in commemoration or rememberance of someone. Rather it is a festival that is a special gift of Allah for Muslims. The hadith pertaining to it is narrated by Hazrat Anas (RA) in the following manner:
“Holy Prophet came to Madinah, the people had two days in which they used to entertain and amuse themselves. He asked: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to amuse ourselves and take pleasure in these two days during the Days of Ignorance (jahiliyyah). The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah has substituted for you something better than these two; the Eid of Adha (sacrifice) and the Eid of Fitr .” [Sunan Abi Dawood]
From this hadith it is clear that the function or festival of Eid is a blessing from Allah Almighty so that Muslims could rejoice and celebrate during the days of Eid. Therefore, if there is an occasion which Muslim can make specific for rejoicing, celebrating and merry making, it is the day of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
Eid Prayer – The renowned Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) pertaining to the day of Eid-ul-Fitr is the offering of Eid prayer. Pertaining to this, Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah narrates:
“I prayed with the Messenger of Allah the two Eid prayers more than once or twice3, without an Adhan or Iqamah.” (Muslim)
From this narration it is clear that offering the prayer of Eid was an act which Prophet (PBUH) specially performed during the Eid-ul-fitr day.
Method of Performing Eid-ul-Fitr Prayer:
Eid-ul-Fitr is different from the regular obligatory prayers and it has an additional method of offering. The lines below give the major steps involved in offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayer.
- The first step is to make intention for the prayer which would be different compared to the intention made for regular prayer. In this prayer a Muslim must intend for offering two Rakats Wajib with Six additional Takbeers and after that say ‘Allahu Akbar’ while touching the ears in the same way as in regular prayer.
- The second step is the same as regular prayer in which a Muslim would recite Sana, however, after the Sana instead of moving to Qirat, a Muslim would say Allahu Akbar and touch the ears and then let the hands loose downwards. This will take place three times and after that he would fold the hands in the same way as done in regular prayer and start reciting Qirat.
- The rest of the steps would be the same as in the regular prayer, where a Muslim would go into Rukoo, say the Tasbeeh, rise and then go into prostration two times with the Tasbeeh in the prostration and then rise up for the second Rakat.
- When in the second Rakat a Muslim must continue with the Qirat and before going to Rukoo by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ a Muslim must touch the ears and let the hands loose instead of going into Rukoo. He must say ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times and in the fourth time, he must go into the Rukoo.
- After that a Muslim must continue on with the regular prayer steps and after Tashud say Salam and conclude the prayer and afterwards make Dua.
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