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`Eid Prayers are usually performed outdoors
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The
first day of the lunar month of Shawwal, which follows Ramadan, is known as `Eid
Al-Fitr. This `eid (Islamic public celebration) is known in some places by the
Turkish name Bairam. It is sometimes called the Lesser `Eid or Lesser
Bairam because it lasts only one day, whereas `Eid Al-Adha, during the Hajj
season, lasts for three days.
`Eid
Al-Fitr is a happy occasion for Muslims. They come to the `Eid Prayers with a
sense of accomplishment for having fasted the month of Ramadan and for coming
closer to Allah. It is a time for sharing zakat
al-fitr with the poorest of
the poor. (Zakat al-fitr must be paid before the `Eid Prayers.) It is a time for
Muslim families and friends to worship and celebrate together.
There
are two Islamic public celebrations each year. These are `Eid Al-Fitr (also
known as the Lesser Bairam, a name from Turkish) at the end of Ramadan and `Eid
Al-Adha (also known as the Greater Bairam) during the Hajj season. These
celebrations begin with special congregational Prayers (salah)
followed by a sermon called a khutbah. The Prayers are held between
sunrise and noon, usually early in the morning.
It
is a highly recommended sunnah
to attend these Prayers. It is also sunnah to hold them outside of the mosque,
such as in a park, if possible. It is sunnah to make ghusl
(cleansing of the body) before attending,
and to wear one’s best clean clothes, even new clothes if possible. Men (but
not women) should also apply perfume before the Prayers.
Women
who are unable to perform salah (ritual Prayer) should attend the `Eid
Prayer and sit in the back behind those who are praying so that they can enjoy
the festivities of the day.
Before
the Prayer
Why
do Muslims pray during `Eid? To find out, read Establishing
Prayer Even in `Eid.
People
usually gather for this Prayer early and sit beforehand reciting aloud the
Takbir, which is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Allaahu
Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.
Laa
ilaha illa-llaah.
Allaahu
Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, wa lillaahi-l-hamd.
(Allah
is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,
Allah
is Greatest.
There
is no god but Allah.
Allah
is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, and to Allah is all praise.)
In
some communities other words are recited as well, but the above words are the
sunnah. In non-Arab countries, the words of the Takbir are often printed and
distributed to the people just before the Prayer.
It
is also a sunnah to say the Takbir aloud together after each Prayer on the days
of `Eid.
How
the Prayer is performed
There
is no Adhan
or Iqamah (the second call to Prayer) for the `Eid Prayer.
The
Prayer itself consists of two rak`ahs, which the imam says aloud. Before
the first rak`ah the imam raises his hands to his ears and says “Allahu
Akbar” (Allah is Greatest) seven times. The congregants should raise their
hands to their ears and repeat after him. Before the second rak`ah the
imam says “Allahu Akbar” in the same way but only five times.
After
the Prayer the congregants should sit and listen to the sermon. When it
finishes, they should exchange greetings and wish each other a happy `Eid. There
is usually some sort of celebration after the Prayers—such as sweets shared or
games for the children—according to local custom.
`Eid
Al-Fitr should be a happy time for all Muslims. In Muslim countries there are
often special foods or customs associated with `Eid. Many converts adapt their
old customs (such as holiday cookies and gifts for children) to `Eid, and there
is nothing wrong with this as long as it is done in moderation and the focus
remains on the spiritual meaning of `Eid.
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