SUNAN AL-’EID FOR ALL THOSE WHO ATTEND THE ‘EIDS PRAYER

1: The Muslim is required to make ghusl or ablution on this day. It can be done at any time but to serve the purpose it is recommended to do it before going out for the prayer. The ‘Eid prayer is held in congregation and it is held in a huge gathering more than the Jumu‘ah prayer, therefore, as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked Muslims to make ghusl for Friday prayer, it should also be considered for ‘Eid prayer to serve the purpose. The purpose and the goal is to be clean for prayer and avoid harming the people with odor, etc. The Muslim is required to make ghusl or ablution on this day. It can be done any time but to serve the purpose it is recommended to do it before going out for the prayer. This is recommended because, the person will feel fresh throughout the day, he will have full concentration in his prayer and to what is being mentioned in the khutbah after the prayer and most importantly, he will not harm others with the bad smell.

Imaam Al-Baghawee said in ‘Sharhus Sunnah’: vol.4, pp.301-302, that, “And the sunnah is to take a bath on the day of ‘Eid. It is reported that ‘Alee used to take bath on the day of ‘Eid, and similarly it is reported that Ibn ‘Umar and Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ used to do so”

The report of ‘Alee is found in Imaam Shaafa‘ee’s book: Musnad Ash-Shaafi‘ee: vol.1, p.168, but this report in inauthentic due to Ibraaheem ibn Muhammad, who is week in the opinion of the Scholars of Hadeeth. The other report of Ibn ‘Umar is found in the book of Imaam Maalik: Muatta’ Imaam Maalik: (Arabic) vol: 1, p.177 and (English Translation): p.84, chapter: 104, hadeeth: 421. Refer to Zaadul Ma’aad: vol. 1, pp. 441-2.

2: Eating on the two ‘Eids: It is a sunnah to eat dates before leaving for ‘Eid-ul-Fitr. It is preferable not to eat anything on the day of ‘Eid-ul-Adh-haa until performing the ‘Eid prayer in the morning; then one should return home, slaughter an animal, and prepare the meal and eat from it. For ‘Eidul Fitr, it is a sunnah to eat an odd number of dates before going to pray salaatul ‘Eid while for ‘Eidul adh-haa the eating should be delayed until one returns from the ‘Eid prayer and then he may eat of his sacrifice if he has sacrificed an animal.

Anas reports:

“The Prophet would not go out on the festival of breaking the fast until he had eaten an odd number of dates.” [This is related by Sahih al-Bukhari: vol. 2, no.73.]

Buraidah reports: “The Prophet would not go out on the day of breaking the fast (‘Eidul Fitr) until he had eaten and on the day of sacrifice (‘Eidul adh-haa) he would not eat until he had returned [from salah].” This is related by at-Tirmithee and Ibn Majah, and also by Sunan Ad-Daaramee who added: “And he would eat from his sacrifice.” [ Sharhus Sunnah: vol. 4, p. 306, footnote: 1.]

3: It is highly recommended that he should wear his best clothes on this day. Ja’far ibn-Muhammad relates from his father on the authority of his grandfather who reported that the Prophet would wear a Yemeni cloak on every ‘Eid. This is related by ash-Shaafi‘ee and al-Baghawee. Ibn al-Qayyim writes: “The Prophet used to wear his most beautiful clothes for them and he had a special cloak that he would wear on the two ‘Eids and Jumu’ah.” [Reference can be checked in Sharhus Sunnah: vol. 4, p. 302, footnote. 2. See Zaadul Mi ‘a ad: vol. 1, p.441.]

4: He is required to use hair oil.

5: He is required to apply perfume if he has his own, otherwise, he may use his wife’s perfume. Al-Hassan as-Sibt says: “The Messenger of Allâh ordered us to wear the best clothes we could find for the two ‘Eids and to apply the best perfume we could find and to sacrifice the best animal we could find.” This is related by al-Haakim and in its chain is Ishaaq ibn Barzakh whom al-‘Azdi declares to be weak while Ibn Hibban says he is trustworthy.

6: He should use the tooth-brush (miswaak) before going to the ‘Eid prayer.

7: He must remove all offensive smells, which might harm others. It is prohibited for him to attend the ‘Eid prayer, if he smells onion or garlic.