عید الفطر اور اس کے مسنون اعمال

Narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم migrated from Makkah and came to Madinah, the people of Madinah (a number of whom had already accepted Islam) used to celebrate two festivals on which they would play and amuse themselves. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم asked them, "What is the reality and significance of these two days that you celebrate?" (that is, what is the origin and history of your festivals?) They said, "We used to celebrate these festivals in the same way in the days of ignorance (before Islam); this is simply a custom that has continued." The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Allah has appointed for you, in place of your two festivals, two better days (which are now your national and religious festivals): the day of Eid al-Adha and the day of Eid al-Fitr." (Sunan Abu Dawud)

The festivals of nations are in reality the expression of their beliefs and ideas, their history and tradition, and a mirror of their national temperament. So it is clear that the two festivals the people of Madinah celebrated in their days of ignorance before Islam must have mirrored the temperament, notions and traditions of that ignorance. So the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم — indeed, by the explicit words of the hadith, Allah Himself — abolished those old festivals and, in their place, appointed for this Ummah the two festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which are wholly in keeping with its monotheistic temperament and principles of life and fully mirror its history, tradition, beliefs and ideas. Although both these days are days of joy and gladness, and Muslims have the right to celebrate on them with permissible and appropriate joy, the true joy of the Muslims is not merely outward celebration on the day of Eid; rather it is because they were granted the ability to keep a whole month's fasts, to pray Taraweeh and Tahajjud, and to perform many other good deeds. The Muslim then expresses this joy by performing the Eid prayer and by raising aloud the takbeer of his Lord. Allah says: "…and that you may complete the number (the fasts of Ramadan), and that you may glorify Allah (say the takbeer) for having guided you, and that you may be grateful." (Al-Baqarah 185)

If we reflect on Eid al-Fitr, we find that it is bound to important good deeds and to the worship and obedience of the Lord: the fasts in the days of Ramadan, standing at night, the diligence of Taraweeh and Tahajjud, charity, and the performance of other good deeds. All of this tells us that the joy of the believer lies in obedience and servitude to the Lord. If only the Muslims would celebrate these very festivals correctly and according to the guidance and teaching of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, these two festivals alone would suffice to convey the spirit of Islam and its message.

Among the sunnah practices of Eid al-Fitr are: to bathe before the Eid prayer, to use the miswak, to wear the best clothing one can afford, to apply perfume, and to eat an odd number of dates — three, five or seven — before going to the Eid ground. It is also a sunnah to take one route going to the Eid ground and to return by another; its wisdom is known to Allah alone, but it appears that, since every part of the earth will testify on the Day of Resurrection to the deeds done upon it, and the Eid prayer is surely among the deeds of great merit, one should use one's feet abundantly in the way of Allah so that reward may be greatly increased. On the day of Eid it is recommended to congratulate one another and to pray for the acceptance of deeds. Fasting on the day of Eid is forbidden; whoever fasts commits a grave sin — for religiousness is following the blessed Sunnah, and following one's own inclination and taste is not religiousness; rather success lies in moulding one's taste and inclination to the Sharia.