How the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi va Sallam celebrated the Eidai'yn

How the Holy Prophet

Sallallahu Alaihi va Sallam celebrated

the Eidai'yn:

The Sunnah, the usual practice, of the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. on the days of the two Eids:

Brushing the teeth with siwak, a wooden twig, and cleaning the mouth thoroughly.

Having a cleansing bath.

Donning a new or decent and clean dress.

Applying Ith'r  (perfume from herbal or floral essence, free of alcohol) to the body, hair and clothing.

Performing Salaah in the Eidgah. This is located in a peaceful environ, away from the bustling metropolis.

Going to, and returning from the Eidgah by foot (if it is not far).

Using two different routes, one for going to, and the other for returning from, the Eidgah.

Not performing any Naf’l Salaah either in the house or at the Eidga’h prior to or immediately after the Salaath al Eid.

Eating some dates and/or tasting a sweet dish.

On the Eidul Fith’r, giving away the Fith’r before proceeding to the Eidga’h for Salaah.

On Eidul Ad’haa day, retaining an empty stomach until after the sacrifice and then savoring the qurbani meat, cooked and served, as the first meal of the day.

Reciting the Thakbeir-e-Thashreekh while proceeding to the Eidgah or the Masjid: ALLAHU AKBAR,  ALLAHU AKBAR, LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAHU VALLAHU AKBAR,  ALLAHU AKBAR  VALILLAHIL HAM'D.

On Eidul Fith’r day, the Thakbeirs are recited in a subdued tone. On Eidul Ad’ha day, the tone is louder and more emphatic.

From the dawn of Zul Haj 9th to the evening of Zul Haj 13th, this Thakbeir  is recited once after every Far’d Salaah by the Imam and the assembly.

Chapter 

Salaath al Eidai’yn

How the Eid Prayers Are Performed

The Salaah is Wa’jib, that is, it ranks next only to the Far’d in importance.  It must be performed with joy and gratitude to Allah for the bounties He has blessed us with.

The Niy’yath may be stated in Arabi: 

NAWAI'YTHU AN UVAD’DIYA LILLAHI THA AALAA RAKAATHAI’YN SALAATHUL EIDUL-FITH'R/EIDUL-AD'HAA ILWA’JIBATHI MA'AA SITHTHI THAKBEIRAATHIN WA’JIBATHIN  IKH ‘THADHAI'YTHU BI HAAZIHIL IMAMEE MUTHAVAJ’JIHAA ILAA JIHATHIL KA’ABAHTHISH SHAREEF.

Or, in our own language: I state my intent to perform two Rakaah’s Wa’jib of the Salaah Eidul-Fith'r/Eidal-Adh'haa with six takbeers, for Allah, under the lead of this Imam and I am facing the blessed Ka’abahthullah".

With this, the Imam and the assembly raise their hands to ear level saying ALLAHU AKBAR and bring the hands down to their sides.  They recite the Sanaa SUB'HAANAKA ALLAHUMMA.… as in every Salaah. 

They again raise their hands to ear level three times saying ALLAHU AKBAR and bring the hands down to their sides, the pause between the Takbeirs equalling three recitations of SUB'HAANALLAH. After the third Takbeir, the hands are folded, the right over the left about the midriff, as in every Salaah. 

The Imam leads, as in every Salaah performed in congreation.  He recites  the Surah al Fathi’ha and another Surah from the Holy Qur’an,  in both the first and the second rakaah’s. 

In the second rakaah, before going into Rukooh, the Imam states ALLAHU AKBAR three times, with pauses in between as aforesaid.  In response, the entire assembly raise their hands to ear level and bring them down to their sides. 

Note:  The number of times the Thak’beir Allahu Akbar is stated by the Imam in this Salaah, varies from masjid to masjid.  We must follow the Imam and the local jama’ath, community, in this (as we did earlier, in the sighting of the crescent of Shawwwal) and maintain harmony in Islam.

Now the Imam calls ALLAHU AKBAR and the congregation, under his lead, go into Rukooh.

The rest of the Salaah follows the usual pattern.

The Imam's sermon, after the Salaah, is rendered in two parts.  We listen in rapt attention as on Fridays.

We disperse after Du’aa and embrace each other warmly, the men as brothers and the women as sisters of one another, in a true Muslim manner.  From each Muslim heart and on every Muslim lips, the sincere greetings of love and solidarity reach out:

 “Eid Mubarak! Baarak Allah! Kullu Aam va Anthum Bi Khair!”

May this Festival be most auspicious to you and your family!

May the year of Islam that commences today be of  peace, security and prosperity to all. Aameen!