Schedule of a Muslim on ’Eid Al-Fitr

Three Introductory Points: POINT 1. Definition of ’Eidul Fiṭr: • ’Eid comes from ’Āda (عاد), which means to return/repeat; ’Eid is called so because it repeats on a weekly or annual basis. • Fiṭr refers to the end of the fast. When the two words are combined, the second (Fiṭr) becomes the cause/time of the first (’Eid), i.e. ’Eidul Fiṭr is the celebration that takes place after completing the fasting of Ramaḍhān on the 1st of Shawwāl. POINT 2. Muslims have a weekly ’Eid which occurs every Jumu’ah (Friday), and two annual ’Eids known as ’Eidul Fiṭr and ’Eidul Aḍḥā (on the 10th of Dhul-Ḥijjah); the latter includes the three days that succeed it (known as the days of Tashrīq; 11th, 12th & 13th). 🔺Note: The day of ’Arafah (the 9th of Dhul-Ḥijjah) is an annual ’Eid for the pilgrims performing Ḥajj. POINT 3: Fasting the days of ’Eid: (1) Fasting ’Eidul Fiṭr and ’Eidul Aḍḥā is absolutely Ḥarām by consensus; whether the fast is voluntary or obligatory. The Prophet ﷺ prohibited fasting these two days, as reported by Bukhāri & Muslim on the authority of Abū Sa‘ēd raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu. (2) Fasting the days of Tashrīq is also prohibited based on the most correct opinion, except in the case of the pilgrim who is unable to offer a sacrificial animal (Hadyi). ’Ā'ishah and Ibn ’Umar raḍhiyallāhu ’anhumā both reported that: “Nobody was allowed to fast on the days of Tashrīq except those (pilgrims) who could not find a sacrificial animal” [Bukhāri] (3) Singling out Jumu’ah with fasting is prohibited according to the more correct opinion. Abū Hurairah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not fast the day of Jumu’ah unless you fast the day before or the day after.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] (4) Fasting the day of ’Arafah is highly recommended for non-pilgrims. As for the pilgrim, then most of the scholars have said that it is disliked for them to fast on this day. Maymūnah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhā said: “The people doubted whether or not the Prophet (ﷺ) was fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so I sent milk while he was standing at ’Arafah, and he drank it while the people were looking at him.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] __ Schedule for ’Eidul Fiṭr 1. Allāh the Almighty said (in what is translated to mean): “...that you complete the period (Ramaḍhān) and proclaim the greatness of Allāh for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” [Al-Baqarah 185] Based on this Āyah, most of the scholars have said it is Sunnah to begin glorifying Allāh by making takbīr after sunset on the last day of Ramaḍhān. This Sunnah applies to both men and women, wherever they may; in the masjid, at home, in the market, etc.; men should say it out loud and women should say it to themselves. And it should be said individually - not in one collective voice. This continues up until the Imām comes out to lead the Muslims in the ’Eid Ṣalāh. [Irwā' Al-Ghalīl, 1/121)] Although it's permissible to repeat 'Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is Great!), it's recommended to say Takbīr in a manner that has authentically been established from the Companions: • Ibn 'Umar: Allāhu Akbar x4 Wa lillāhil ḥamd • Ibn ’Abbās: Allāhu Akbar x3 Allāhu Akbaru kabīrā Allāhu Akbaru takbīrā Allāhu Akbaru wa Ajall • Salmān: Allāhu Akbar x3 Allāhu Akbaru kabīrā • Ibn Mas'ūd Allāhu Akbar x2 Lā ilāha illa llāh Wallāhu Akbar Wa lillahil ḥamd • And from the more popular forms which was reported by Imām Shāfi'ī raḥimahullāh in his book 'Al-Umm': Allāhu Akbar x3 Lā ilāha illā Allāh Allāhu Akbar x2 Wa lillāhil ḥamd Allāhu Akbar kabīrā Wal ḥamdu lillāhi kathīrā Wa sub-ḥānallāhi bukratan wa aṣīlā Lā ilāha illā Allāh waḥdahu Ṣadaqa wa’dahu Wa naṣara ’abdahu Wa a’azza jundahu Wa hazamal Aḥzāba waḥdahu Lā ilāha illā Allāh lā na’budu illā iyyāhu Mukhlisīna lahud dīna wa law karihal kāfirūn These forms are all authentic. And it's preferable to vary between them so people are not misled into thinking that only 1 form is correct.