Things You Need To Know About The ‘Eid

There are many different issues that we hear about when the ‘Eid comes around. In this article we want to shed some light on some of the rulings that surround important parts of the Days Of  ‘Eid, because they are right around the corner.

The Legislation of the Eid Prayer;

The ‘Eid Prayer was legislated as we know, in the second year after the hijra. Some proofs for the ‘Eid Prayer can be found in both the Quran and The Sunnah. We see in the Quran, that Allah mentions {Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).} [108:2]. We find that the most correct opinion from the statements of the people of tafsir is that the prayer mentioned here is that of the one performed for ‘Eid al Adha.

The Ruling for the ‘Eid Prayer;

The ruling for the ‘Eid Prayer itself is Sunnah Muakkadah. This means that it is something that is highly recommended that it is performed. It is something that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to perform and did not leave it off. Therefore it is not something that we should be leaving off if we can possibly carry it out, as we need to be trying hard to stick to the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Also, there are many hadeeth that are known from the authentic narrations that confirm the legislation of the ‘Eid Prayer and the fact that it is definitely from Islam. An example of this is the statement of al- Bara when he mentioned, ‘I heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) delivering a Khutbah saying, “The first thing to be done on this day (‘Eid ul Adha) is to pray. After returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so,  then he acted according to our Sunnah (traditions)” (narrated by al Bukhari and Muslim).

The Prayer itself;

The ‘Eid Prayer itself consists of two rakaat (units of prayer). A clear proof for this is the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) when he said, “The prayer of al-Fitr is two rakaat and the prayer of al-Adha is two rakaat, complete and not shortened, on the tongue of your Prophet(صلى الله عليه و سلم), and the one who fabricates lies is doomed.” (narrated by Nasa’i).

In the first unit of prayer there are seven takbir (the saying of Allahu Akbar). This does not include the Takbir al Ihraam (the opening Takbir for the prayer). In the second unit of prayer there are five takbir (the saying of Allahu Akbar). This does not include the takbir that you make when you stand back up for the second rakah (unit of prayer). The proof for this is the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) when he said, “The takbir of al Fitr and al Adha is seven takbirs in the first rakah and five takbirs in the second” (Narrated by Abi Dawood).

The Khutbah (sermon);

After the ‘Eid Prayer, there is a khutbah (sermon) that is given. A proof of this is that it was from the actions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with both him and his father) said, “The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), Abu Bakr, and `Umar prayed the `Eid (prayers) before the khutbah (sermon)” (narrated by al Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad).

It consists of two parts.  Before the first of these there are nine takbir (the saying of Allahu Akbar) that are said out loud.  As well, before the second khutbah (sermon) there are seven takbir (the saying of Allahu Akbar) that are to be stated out loud. There are many statements by the different scholars about the takbiraat that take place before each of the khutbah. The discussion many times revolves around are they from the khutbah or not. Imaam ash Shafi’ (may Allah have mercy upon him) made a very important note about this topic. He said, “These takbiraat are not not part of the khutbah itself but rather that which is an introduction to the khutbah.”  So, many scholars have explained that being as though they are simply from those things that introduce the khutbah (sermon) they they are permissible to be done before hand or left off. 

The Takbiraat;

The takbiraat talked about in this section are those that are said throughout the days of the ‘Eid itself. The takbiraat begin from the setting of the sun the night of the ‘Eid and continue until the Imaam begins the prayer. This is what many of the scholars have said is being discussed in the Quran when Allah said, {… (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawaal  for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.} [2:185]. They said that this is talking specifically about ‘Eid ul Fitr, but they say, that the ruling of it follows for ‘Eid ul Adha as well. 

The main difference though is that in the ‘Eid ul Adha, they are done after the obligatory prayers from Fajr (the morning prayer) on the day of Arafat until ‘Asr (the afternoon prayer) on the last of the days of Tashreeq. This is backed by that which was mentioned by Imaam al Bukhari  in his Saheeh when stated that, “Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to make takbeer in his tent in Mina such that the people in the Masjid could hear him, so they would make takbeer and the people in the market would make takbeer such that Mina would resound with the takbeer.” He also mentioned that, “Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to make takbir in Mina on these days, after every prayer, while reclining on his couch, in his tent, in his gatherings and when walking all throughout these days.”

 We ask Allah to accept from us and all of you, our worship, forgive us for our sins and make us from those that truly single Him out in worship. Allahuma ameen.

[Click Here] To find out more needed and necessary information about the ‘Eid Celebration and everything tied to it. Barak Allahu feekum.