Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (r) that “The Messenger of Allah (S) would wear a red-striped cloak on the day of Eid.” عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَلْبَسُ يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ بُرْدَةً حَمْرَاءَ Source: al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ 7808 Transliteration: “Kana Rasulullahi (S) Yalbisu Yawmal ‘Eidi Burdatan Hamra.”
Islam values manners and etiquettes in everything we do! Eid ul Adha has some important etiquettes to be observed by Muslims. Here are some etiquettes and Sunnahs with which Eids should be celebrated (of course, during the time of COVID 19, some of the extra rules must be adapted and followed issued by the Canada’s health experts as well as the SNMC team. Please visit SNMC platforms for these):
1. It is recommended to take a bath on the morning of Eid. Imam Ibn Qudamah said that it is recommended to perform Ghusl for Eid. Ibn Omar would perform Ghusl on the day of Eid and Ali is reported to have done so as well. Al- Nawawi said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahab to do ghusl for Eid prayer. The reason why it is mustahab is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumu’ah and other public gatherings. Rather on Eid the reason is even stronger. This is opinion of the other great scholars.
2. It is recommended to dress well for Eids for it is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (S) who used to dress well for Eid prayers. (Ibn Khuzaymah) Ibn Al Qayyum said that the Messenger of Allah would wear his best clothes to go to the Eid prayer. He had a cloak that he wore specifically on the two Eids and Fridays. (Zadul Ma’ad)
3. It is mustahab on Eid ul Adha not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he/she should eat from the Udhiyah if he/she has offered a sacrifice.
4. It is recommended to use different routes for going to and coming from Eid prayers. Jabir bin Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) used two different routes for Eid, one for going to Eid prayer and another for coming back from Eid prayer. (Bukhari) Ibn Qayyim said that Muhammad (S) would take different routes on the day of the Eid, going one way and returning another one. It has been said that the wisdom for this is to greet the people of both routes; so that the people of both routes will receive blessings from him (through his supplication and salams); to fulfill the needs of the needy people on both routes, etc.’ (Zadul Ma’ad)
5. It is recommended for ladies to participate in the Eid prayers. (Bukhari, Muslim)
6. Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) is a clearly distinctive feature of Muslims’ Eid celebrations. This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allah says: “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” (Al Baqarah 2:185) On Eid ul Adha, Takbir starts from Magrib on the 9th Zul Hijjah and last until the ‘Asr prayer on the 13th Zul Hijjah. One of the recommended Takbirs is as follows: “Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar (Allahu Akbar), La Ilaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa lillahil Hamd. (Tirmizi) On the day of Eid, the takbir starts from the time that one leaves the house heading towards the Mosque/Musalla. It is confirmed that the Messenger of Allah (S) ‘Would leave (his house), on the day of Eid, saying Takbir until he reached the Musalla, and until he performed the prayer. Once he had performed the prayer, he would stop saying the Takbir.’ (Ibn Abi Shayban) Saying Takbir when coming out of one’s house to the prayer place and until the imam comes out was something that was well known tradition among the salaf (early generations). This has been narrated by a number of scholars such as Ibn Abi Shaybah, ‘Abd a l-Razzaq and al-Firyabi in Ahkam al-Eidayn
7. After Fajr prayer, the Eid prayer should be the first thing to start the day of Eid with as it was done by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S).
8. It is very important for the Muslims to congratulate one another for the Eid by saying: Taqabbalallahu Minna wa Minkum – my Allah accept from us and you, Eid Mubarak or any other good expression that is allowed in Shari’ah. Jubay ibn Nufair reported that when the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) and the companions met on the Eid day, they used to say: May Allah accept our good deeds. (Ibn Hajar says that the hadith is sound) During the time of COVID-19, we must follow the rules of social distancing and thus avoid shaking hands and hugging.
Ya Rabb! Make us of those who would follow these beautiful Sunnahs so that we attain the maximum benefits of the Eid ul Adha days. Allahumma Amin!
Imam Zijad