THE DAYS OF EID

Eid-ul-Fitr: Eid-ul-Fitr occurs on the 1st of Shawaal. It is a day of joy for those who have kept Fast during the Blessed Month of Ramadaan.

Eid-ul-Adha: Eid-ul-Adha occurs on the 10th Zil-Hajj. It is a day when Qurbaani is performed by all those who can afford it. Qurbaani is done to honour the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Nabi Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) & Sayyiduna Nabi Isma'il (alaihis salaam). On this day Almighty Allah commanded Sayyiduna Nabi Ebrahim (alaihis salaam) to sacrifice his son, Sayyiduna Nabi Isma'il (alaihis salaam).

The Sunnah Actions on the Day of Eid

1. One should wake up early.
2. One should eat something before Eid Salaat on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
3. It is Mustahab for those who are sacrificing an animal not to eat anything on the morning of Eid-ul-Adha till they sacrifice the animal & partake of the meat of the sacrificed animal.
4. One should make Ghusal, wear new clothes & use Itr before going for Eid Salaat.
5. One should give "Sadqa-e-Fitr" or charity before the Eid Salaat or a few days earlier.
6. One should show happiness & give charity in abundance.
7. One should try & be as early as possible in the Masjid or Eid Gah (open ground for performing Eid Salaat).
8. One should read the Takbeer softly while going to the Masjid or Eid Gah on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
9. The Takbeer should be read loudly on the day of Eid-ul-Adha.
10. One should partake of the Qurbaani meat on Eid-ul-Adha.
11. It is preferable that one uses different routes in travelling to & from the Masjid or Eid Gah.

The Time of Eid Salaat

1. The time of Eid Salaat begins just after sunrise & continues up to Zawaal.
2. No Nafil Salaat should be read before the Eid Salaat.
3. No Azaan or Iqaamat is given for Eid Salaat.

Method of Performing the Eid Salaat

1. Eid Salaat is Waajib. Both Eid Salaat consists of 2 Rakaat with Jamaat.
2. Make the Niyyat (intention) of reading 2 Rakaat behind the Imaam with 6 extra Takbeers. Refer to Hifz Syllabus.
3. Read the first Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) with the Imaam & fold your hands as in ordinary Salaat. Then read Sana.
4. The Imaam will then read two more Takbeers. For both these Takbeers, raise the hands & leave them at the side.
5. The Imaam will then read the third Takbeer. Raise the hands & fold them.
6. The Imaam will then read Surah Fatiha & a Surah & complete the first Rakaat.
7. In the second rakaat, the Imaam will read the Surah Fatiha & a Surah. He will then read 3 extra Takbeers. At each Takbeer you will raise the hands & leave them at the side. After the fourth Takbeer, you must go into Ruku.
8. The rest of the Salaat follows.

The Eid Khutbah

1. The Khutbah of both the Eids is read after the Eid Salaat.
2. The Khutbah is Sunnah & it is Waajib to listen to them.
3. The Khutbah, which has two parts, is delivered by the Imaam.
4. There is a short break between the Khutbah.
5. During Khutbah, all talking or reading is forbidden.

The Difference Between Eid & Jummah Salaat

1. Jummah Salaat is Farz, while Eid Salaat is Waajib.
2. In Jummah, Khutbah is read before the Salaat, while in Eid, Khutbah is read after the Salaat.
3. Jummah Salaat has no extra Takbeers, while Eid Salaat has six extra Takbeers.
4. Jummah Salaat has Azaan & Iqaamat, while Eid Salaat has no Azaan & Iqaamat.
5. Jummah Salaat is performed after midday, while Eid Salaat is read before midday.