Below are the Eid Celebration practices that Sidi has given us, alhamdulillah.
On the Last Day of Fasting
Fast until Maghrib and break your fast, as usual. Do not do Tarawih or Tasbih prayers on this night.
Note: ‘Eid lasts three days. On the fourth day, you can begin to make up any missed days from Ramadan.
Overview: Gathering on the First Day of ‘Eid al-Fitr
1. Pray Fajr as usual.
2. After Fajr Prayer eat an odd number of dates and drink.
3. At 9:00 am an ‘Eid celebration can include:
- Procession ‘Eid Takbir
- ‘Eid Takbir
- ‘Eid Prayer
- ‘Eid Khutba
- Dhikr
- 12:00 pm Eid Feast
4. For the 3 days of ‘Eid Celebration say the ‘Eid Takbir (below) after each of the 5 daily prayers in place of the usual after-prayer tasbih practice.
‘Eid Morning Ceremony (as per Sidi September 2008)
- On the morning of ‘Eid, have an odd number of dates at a normal breakfast time after the Fajr prayer. Eat nothing else until you gather for the Eid celebration.
- Pay your Zakat al-Fitr if you haven’t already done so. It essential that you pay Zakat al-Fitr prior to Eid, or else you will lose the blessings of your Ramadan fast.
For each member of your household donate what you would pay for everyone in your house to eat for one day. In the U.S., $5-$20 per person is normal, but Sidi has been asking for $20-$25 per person since 2000. This must be given before the ‘Eid prayer.
Pay your Zakat al-Fitr here.
Pay your Zakah here.
Pay Fidya for missed fasting days here. - Participate in a Parade of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (optional)
The sunnah of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was to parade from the mosque on one road and return to the mosque by another road. Repeat the dhikr below while you walk (or use this longer version):
Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Allahu akbar
Laa ilaha illa-llah
Wa-allahu akbar Allahu akbar
Wa li-llahi-l-hamd
Allah is greatest; Allah is supreme!
There is no god but God
And Allah is Greatest
And to Allah be praise.
Longer version of the Takbir - Gather at the mosque (or gathering place) and repeat the Takbir dhikr above many times, for 15-30 minutes or more, until the Imam is ready to lead the ‘Eid prayer.
- ‘Eid Prayer (9:00 AM)
Do not perform any voluntary prayer before or after the ‘Eid prayer. There is neither a call to prayer (adhan) nor a commencement (iqamah) recited for the ‘Eid prayer. - Khutbas (see below)
- ‘Eid Dhikr (optional, see below)
- Let the feasting begin!
‘Eid Prayer Details
The ‘Eid prayer is 2 rak‘atyn (like Fajr salah). The Imam recites al-Fatiha and surahs out loud and the people say “Amin” aloud after the Fatiha. It is Sunnah to recite the 87th Surah (al-A‘la) in the first rak‘ah and the 88th (al-Ghashiyah) in the second rak‘ah; or 109 (al-Kafirun) in first rak‘ah and 112 (al-Ikhlas) in the second rak‘ah.
- Say, “Allahu Akbar!” 1 time to begin the prayer.
- Say, “Allah Akbar!” 7 times (raising your hands behind your ears for each one and clasp your right hand over your left before the next one). After completing then begin to recite the Fatiha.
- Say “Allahu Akbar” 5 times before the Fatiha in the second rak‘ah.
The Khutbas
After the ‘Eid salah the Imam will give two short sermons (khutbahs). Sit for both and in between them and ask for forgiveness. The two khutbahs should be no longer than 20 minutes altogether.
Open the first sermon by calling “Allahu Akbar” 9 times and before the second sermon call “Allahu Akbar” 7 times.
‘Eid Dhikr
After the Khutbahs, begin a dhikr with everyone standing in a circle.
1. Dhikr Intention
La ilaha illa-llah (7 times)
Muhammadan Rasulu-llahAlayhi salatu-llah
2. Du’a’
In the name of Allah, we pray at the beginning of ‘Eid.
We ask You Allah, please accept our Ramadan prayer and fasting for Your face.
Give us Your blessing and keep us on the straight path.
Use us to carry Your message and Your religion; The religion of the Unity, The message of Love, Peace, Mercy, and Justice.
3. Al-Fatiha
4. Du’a’
Please Beloved God, give us Your mercy.
Give Your mercy to our parents, our children, our families and our neighbors.
And give Peace to everyone in all the world, without separation.
Amin.
5. Do the Dhikr in the normal way.
Eid Mubarak!
Recitation of the Takbir
(The Dhikr of His Greatness)
Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar
Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,
La ‘ilaha ‘illa-llah
There is no deity but Allah,
Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : wa lil-lahi-l-hamd
There is no deity but Allah, praise be to Allah,
Repeat the above 3 times, then continue…
Allahu akbaru kabira
Allah is Greatest, the Powerful
wal hamduli-llahi kathira
And abundant praises are due to Allah,
wa subhana-llahi bukratan wa asila
And Glory be to Allah early in the morning and in the evening
la ‘ilaha illa-llah (u-wahda)
There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah (one and only)
*******************
sadaqa wa’ada wa nasara ‘abda
He fulfilled His promise and helped His servant,
wa a’azza jundahu
wa hazamal ahzaaba wahda
And strengthened His forces,
and alone routed out the clans.
la ‘ilaha ‘illa-llah wala na’abudu illa iyyah
There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, Him alone we worship
mukhli-sina la-hud-dina wa-low-kariha-l-kafirun
Offering Him sincere devotion even if the disbelievers dislike (it)
***************
allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammad
O Allah, evoke Your blessings on the Prophet Muhammad,
wa ‘ala ali sayyidina Muhammad
And on the family of Prophet Muhammad
wa ‘ala ashabi sayyidanaa Muhammad
And the companions of Prophet Muhammad,
wa ‘ala ansari sayyidina Muhammad
And on the helpers of Prophet Muhammad,
wa ‘ala azwaji sayyidiana Muhammad
And on the wives of Prophet Muhammad,
wa’ala dhurriyyati sayyidina Muhammad(un)
And the descendants of Prophet Muhammad,
wa sallim tasliman kathira
O Allah, do send abundant peace on the Prophet.
