Eid ul Fitr 2024
Eid ul Fitr 2024
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
When is Eid ul Fitr 2024?
This year, Eid ul Fitr 2024 is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th of April, 2024. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shawwal, 1445, the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar.
What is Eid ul Fitr?
Eid ul Fitr, known as ’عيد الفطر’ in Arabic and Asian countries, is a religious festival for all Muslims around the world. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al Fitr is Allah's reward for believers who fasted during the holy month of Ramadan. This is also believers thanking Allah for giving them the chance and the strength to carry out His commands during the blessed month of Ramadan. Traditionally, Eid al Fitr is celebrated for three days in almost all Muslim countries.
Both Eid ul Fitr and Eid Al-Adha have great significance in Islam as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated that Anas bin Malik (R.A.), who said:
“Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’”
(An-Nasai: 1556)
Remember one thing that Fasting on Eid days i-e Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is forbidden as the same is evident from the following Hadith:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (R.A.) that Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
"No fasting is permissible on the two days of Eid-ul-Fitr and EId-ul-Adha.”
Celebrating Eid ul Fitr
Since it is a religious festival, Muslims all over the world celebrate this event with much fervor and each country’s celebrations vary as there is an influence of their traditions. Muslims all over the world celebrate the festival of Eid al Fitr by starting the day with the Eid prayer. After offering prayer, Muslim greet each other with the customary Eid greeting, 'Eid Mubarak'. Everyone gets new clothes made for the special occasion because every single person wants to look his/her best. The day is spent with friends and family get-togethers, indulging in delicious feasts and handing out gifts also known as Eidi.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of happiness and enjoyment, and this is also evident from the following Hadith:
It was narrated by Aisha (R.A.) who reported that Prophet (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.) (On the day of Eid when Abu Bakr (R.A.) saw two girls were singing the stories about the Day of Buath in Madinah):
“….. O Abu Bakr! Every people have their Eid and this is our Eid.”
In another narration, it is said that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) said to Abu Bakr (R.A.):
“Let them be O Abu Bakr, for these are days of Eid.”
Eid Prayer
Religious scholars have differing opinions on Eid prayers. However, all Muslims should attend prayers of both Eids as most scholars, on the basis of strong evidence, is of opinion that it is Wajib (obligation). One of the purposes behind Eid Prayer is to provide an opportunity to a large number of Muslims to attend congregations in an atmosphere of religious piety. Apart from prayer, the Eid sermon (after Eid Prayer) has also been made an integral part of this gathering and the prayer.
- It is important and compulsory for a Muslim to pay ‘Zakat-ul-Fitr’ before offering Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 1511)
- The time for Eid Prayer begins from the time the sun is three meters above the horizon until the sun reaches its meridian. However, it is better to offer the prayer in the early hours after sunrise. (Abu Dawud: 1135)
- Eid Prayer is performed without any ‘Iqmah’ or ‘Athan’. [Sahih Muslim: 885 (b)]
- Eid prayer consists of two Rak'at (Two Unit Prayer) during which Takbeer (Allah-u-Akbar) is announced seven times. (Abu Dawud: 1149)
- The rest of the Eid prayer is the same as other prayers offered daily.
- After completing the prayer, it is Sunnah (some scholars say that it is Wajib) to listen to the Sermon (Khutbah) after Eid Prayer. So one should stay for the Imam’s sermon to end after completing the Eid Prayer.
After listening to the sermon, Muslims congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’, ‘Happy Eid, and عيد مبارك, etc. However, the most common Eid Greeting Muslims like to wish their friends and fellow Muslims with, is ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Sunnah of Eid Prayer
A person should follow the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) for every aspect of life. The same should also be applied to Eid Prayer. Following are some of the Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W.) with regards to Eid prayer that every Muslim should follow:
1- Take a bath or perform ablution before going for a prayer
2- Use a toothbrush or Miswaak
3- Wear your best clothes on this day
4- Apply perfume
5- Eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the prayer of Eid Al-Fitr. (Sahih Bukhari: 953)
6- Make sure that you have paid Zakat Al-Fitr before offering Eid Prayer
7- Recite the following ‘Takbeerat’ while going to and returning from Eid Prayer:
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allahu akbar laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd
(Allah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, Allah is most Great there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise) (Irwa Al Ghalil: 3 / 125)
8- Listen to the Sermon (Khutbah) after offering Eid Prayer. (An-Nasai: 1517)
9- Use different ways while going to and returning from the mosque after offering Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 986)
Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana)
As narrated by Ibn Umar (R.A.):
“Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) made it incumbent (Wajib) on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.”
According to above mentioned Hadith, Zakat Al-Fitr or Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or fitrah/fitrana) is Wajib upon every Muslim including slave, freeman, male, female, young, new-born, and old. The compulsion of Zakat ul-Fitr on a Muslim is the same as the Nisab of normal Zakat (Nisab Is the exemption limit for the payment of Zakat).
Calculate the Payable Zakat through Zakat Calculator
The amount of Sadaqa Al-Fitr to be given by each person is an amount minimum or equivalent to one Sa' of grain/barley/date. Sa’ is an ancient measure of volume and the most common understanding is that one Sa' is equivalent to approx. 2.25-2.5 KGs. However, Muslim scholars all around the world usually announce the amount of Zakat Al-Fitr to be paid during Ramadan.
As in normal Zakat, Zakat Al-Fitr is distributed among poor and needy Muslims. It is preferable to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr first to needy relatives, then to needy neighbors, and then to other needy Muslims.
Zakat Al-Fitr should be paid before the Eid Prayer.
Conclusion
Celebrate the day with your loved ones by indulging in delicious festive feasts and handing out gifts. Give out charity as much as you can so that your underprivileged Muslim brother and sisters can also celebrate this blessed festival.
Also, remember us and the entire Muslim Ummah in your Duas.
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