WHAT TO SAY ON EID DAY?
WHAT TO SAY ON EID DAY? The day of Eid starts with the chanting of the takbir. On the way to the Eid ground, it is takbir. On the way back it is takbir. From 'Umar and ibn Mas'ud gave the following narration for the takbir: "Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar. La ilaha illallah. Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar wa lillahil-hamd." Translation: Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no God but Allah. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. All praise belongs to Allah.
The Day of Eid starts with the chanting of the takbir. On the way to the Eid ground, it is takbir. On the way back it is takbir. From 'Umar and ibn Mas'ud gave the following narration for the takbir: "Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar. La ilaha illallah. Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar wa lillahil-hamd." Translation: Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no God but Allah. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. All praise belongs to Allah.
We praise and thank Allah for sparing our lives to witness this year's Ramadan. Most Muslims today would be happy to see the end of Ramadan, but our seniors in faith used to be sad. First, because they were not very sure their if all of their efforts would be acceptable to Allah. Then, they were not sure if they were able to witness the Night of Power. Further, a month of mercy is going, what joy is in that. Then they would feel sad that they may never be able to see another Ramadan again. We pray Allah give us such iman, piety and understanding.
On the Eid day, we must not fast. Even if we start the day fasting, once it is announced that the moon has been sighted in your community, we are to break that fast, and proceed to perform Eid (if it is still morning) or prepare the next day for Eid. We must not fast on Eid day even if we vow to fast that day or it is customary for us to fast on that particular day, which now happens to be Eid. "A man vowed to fast one day (possibly a Monday), and that day happened to be Eid day." Ibn 'Umar said, "Allah orders vows to be fulfilled and the Prophet forbade the fasting on this day (i.e. Eid)." (Bukhari)
The Eid of the next few days is Eid-il-Fitr, which the Prophet used to eat before going for the Eid prayers (whereas he doesn't eat for the Eid of the Adha [Sacrifice]). Buraidah reports: "The Prophet would not go out on the day of breaking the fast (Eid-il-Fitr) until he had eaten and on the day of sacrifice (Eid-il-Adha) he would not eat until he had returned [from salaah]." (Tirmidhi)
He encouraged people to wear the best of their clothing. Therefore, we are encouraged to give the Eid our best appearance, with perfumed (the men) and in gold or other jewelry(the women). We are advised to go out in multitude, with all our families and chanting the dhikr.
On your way to and from Eid prayers, you should greet with the salaam and offer a congratulatory prayer to people. "When the companions of the Prophet met each other on the day of 'id, they would say to each other, 'taqabbal minna wa minka [May Allah] accept it from us and you.'" (Ibn Hajar)There is no nawafil prayer before and after the Eid prayers. Ibn 'Abbas reports: "The Messenger of Allah went out to the site of the E'id prayer and prayed two rakaah of the Eid prayer without praying anything before or after it." (Bukhari) It is usually performed on an open ground on. However, if for some reason we are not able to do this, we are allowed to use the mosque. "The rain fell on the day of 'Id (festival), so the Prophet (peace be upon him) led them (the people) in the Eid prayer in the mosque." (Abu Dawud) After the prayer comes the sermon, both are obligatory for us to consciously observe.
However, if you get to the Eid ground late, do not panic, remember it is a festive day. "If one misses the Eid prayers, he may pray two raka’ah and the same is the case for the women or people in their houses or in the countryside. This is based on the Prophet's words: "O Muslims, this is our festival." Anas ibn Malik ordered his protege (Ibn abi-'Utbah), [who lived] in a remote area, to gather his family and children and to pray [the Eid prayer] like the people in the city and with takbirat similar to theirs. 'Ikrimah said: "The people of the country should gather for the 'id and pray two rakaah as the imam does." 'Ata says: "If you miss the Eid [salaah], pray two rakaah." (Bukhari)
It is also important for women to attend the Eid prayer, even if they are off salaah or poor. They should be dressed up for the day and they are allowed to enjoy the day. Once she asked, "O Allah's Messenger! If a woman has no veil, is there any harm if she does not come out (on 'Id day)?" The Prophet said, "Her companion should let her share her veil with her, and the women should participate in the good deeds and in the religious gatherings of the believers."' (Bukhari 2:96)
