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- Playing, recreation, and eating on the day of Eid:
These are permissible as log as they stay within the
acceptable bounds of Islam. Anas said: When the
Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, came to
Madinah, they had two days for amusement. The
Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, has
exchanged these days for two better days:the day of
breaking the fast and the day of sacrifice. (Related
by An-Nasa'e and Ibn Hibban)
- Taking women and children to the prayer area:
The Prophet sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to
take his wives and daugthers ot the two Eids. Umm
Atiyah said: "We were ordered to go out with the
single and menstruating women to the two Eids in
order to wtiness the good and the supplications of
the Muslims. The menstruating women though would
stay away from the prayer area." (Related by al-Bukhari
and Muslim)
- Going to the prayer area:
The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to
go to the prayer area by walking. Jaber narrated:
"On the days of Eid, the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, would go to the prayer area by one route
and come back by another route." (Related by al-Bukhari)
- Eating before going to the prayer area:
Since Eid al-Fitr is the day on which Muslims break
their Ramadhan fast, it is preferable to eat before
going to the Eid prayer. It is a Sunnah of the
Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, to eat an
odd number of dates before going to pray Salat al-Eid.
Anas reported: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa
sallam, would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr
without eating an odd number of dates."(Related by
al-Bukhari.)
- Preparation for Eid prayer:
It is preferred to make Ghusl (take a bath), wear
one's best clothes and, for men, to put perfume
before going to Salat al-Eid. Ibn Al-Qayyim said:
"The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, used to
wear his best clothes for the Eid prayers and eh had
clothes that he reserved for the two Eids and
Jumu'ah."
- Making Takbeer:
Takbeer starts from the nght of Eid's eve until the
Imam comes ot to start the prayer. Allah says (S2
A185): "You should complete the prescribed period
and then you should glorify Allah (i.e., say Takbeer)
for having guided you so that yo may be grateful to
Him." The form of takbeer is related by `Umar and
Ibn Mas`ud: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La illaha
illallah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar wa
lillahil-hamd."
- Congratulating each other:
It has been narrated that when the Prophet's
companions met each other on the Eid day, they would
say to each other: "May Allah accept from us and
from you." (Related by Ahmad.)
Zakat Al Fitr
Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every
Muslim at the end of the month of Ramadan. Ibn `Umar
said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam,
enjoined the payment of one Sa'a of dates or one
Sa'a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim,
young and old, male and female, free and slave."
(Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one
who has fasted from any type of indecent act or
speech he might have committed while fasting. It
also helps the poor and the needy. Ibn Abbas said:
"The Messanger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa
sallam, enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on the one who fasts
to shield him from any indecent act or speech and
for the purpose of providing food for the needy."
(Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)
The Amount of Zakat al-Fitr:
As the first hadeeth indicated, the amout of Zakat
al-Fitr is one Sa'a. Sa'a is a volume measure
correspoding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of
good wheat. The material of the Zakat can be either
dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items
considered as basic foods. Abu Saeed said: "We used
to give for Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child,
aged person, free man or slave during the lifetime
of the Messanger of Allah,sallaallahu `alayhe wa
sallam, one Sa'a of food, or one Sa'a of dried
yogurt, or one Sa'a of barley, or one Sa'a of dates,
or one Sa'a of raisins." (Related by al-Bukhari and
Muslim.)
The Time for Zakat al-Fitr:
Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan.
There are two times to pay Zakat al-Fitr. Either one
or two days before Eid as 'Umar used to do, or the
day of Eid before the Eid prayer. Ibn `Umar reported
that the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam,
ordered them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out
to perform the Eid prayer. If Zakat al-Fitr is paid
after the Eid prayer, it will only be considered as
regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa
sallam, said: "If one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the
Salat, it is considered an accepted Zakat, if he
pays it after the Salat, it is considered an
ordinary charity." (Related by Abu Dawud.)
Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight
categories or people as in the other types of Zakat.
Some scholars say that the poor and the nedy are the
most deserving ones since the Prophet, sallaallahu
`alayhe wa sallam, said that it had "...the purpose
of providing food for the needy."
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