Revive a Sunnah

In the name of Allah

Revive a Sunnah: Etiquette in Regards to Eid-ul-Adha Prayer

Performing ghusl before going out to the prayer

Ibn Qayyam said: “The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to wear for the two Eids the most beautiful of his clothes. And he had a robe that he used to wear for the two Eids and Jum’ah. And ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) used to bathe for the two Eids.” [This narration is in Ibn Abi Shaibaah and Abdur Razzaq and is authentic]

An- Nawawi (rahimahullah) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb (recommended) to do ghusl for Eid prayer.

Adorning oneself

It was narrated that Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) said: The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. [Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756]

Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.

So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid.

Concerning women, they should avoid adorning and perfuming themselves when they go out for Eid because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. They should keep in mind that they are only going out for the purpose of worship.

Eating after the prayer on Eid al-Adha

On Eid al-Adha it is mustahabb not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

Abdullah ibn Buraidah said: “The Messenger of Allah did not go out on the day of Eid ul-Fitr until he had eaten, and he did not eat on the day of Eid Al-Adha until he came back, then he would eat from his sacrifice.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Takbeer on the day of Eid

This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allaah says: “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: The people used to recite Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out they fell silent, and when he said takbeer they said takbeer. See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1/121

Saying takbeer when coming out of one's house to the prayer place and until the imam came out was something that was well known among the salaf (early generations).

Offering congratulations

The etiquette of Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people, no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum (May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “Eid mubaarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.

Offering congratulations was something that was well known among the Sahaabah (radi Allahu anhum), and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it.

Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (radi Allahu anhu) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to vary his route. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 986]