Like any festive occasion, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated all over the world. Eid-ul-fitr can be celebrated in many exciting and fun ways. To make celebrating of this day more special and memorable, here are 9 things you can do to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
Wake Up Early, Use Miswak or Tooth Brush
By Allah’s mercies, He accepts all our prayers and ibaadat and has blessed us enough to see the night of decree and the end of Ramada. One of the Prophet’s practices (Peace Be Upon Him) is to wake up early in the morning of Eid-ul-fitr and use miswak as oral hygiene. Good dental care plays an important role in our overall health. Also, it serves as a confident booster through a pleasant smile and fresh breath.
The Prophet (PBUH) taught us to keep our mouth clean since it’s the path of the Qur’an. “The use of the Miswak purifies the mouth and pleases Allah”. We use our mouth to recite the beautiful words of Allah. Therefore, keeping the mouth clean is sure an excellent act of worship that is highly recommended.
Perform Ghusl and Wear Your Best Cloths
One way to switch into the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration mood is to perform Ghusl. Ghusl means to Purify. This is the full body purification ritual where one is obligated to perform after having sexual intercourse or ejaculation, completion of menstrual cycle, and completion of the childbirth blood flow. This same bath is prescribed for Jummah (Friday prayers) and Eid. Even though not obligatory(Fard), it is strongly recommended (mustahabb). It is recommended that on the morning of Eid, you perform ghusl, dress in your new and best cloths and outfits. You wear your good smelling perfume if you are a male. Wear your nice cloths or dress if you are a female and head out to the prayer ground looking your best.
The prophet also recommends that “If someone cannot afford to buy new cloths, then they should wear their best available cloths”.
Note: Females are not allowed to wear perfumes or any strong scented fragrance. Same thing goes to men, they are not allowed to wear jewelry at any point in their live.
Recite Takbeerat
What other fun and rewarding way to celebrate Eid than reciting Takbeerat? One of the most exciting ways to begin celebrating this special day is to recite Takbeerat. Takbeerat are not only pleasing to the ears, they are most rewarding. Saying the names of Allah repeatedly with the most sincere intension right after rounding up the month of Ramadan is ever rewarding. One of the fun ways is to follow along when Takbeerat are being chanted on Islamic radio and TV channels. You may also choose to recite at your own pace, silently or in a low tone.
“Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar Wa lilLaahil Hamd. Subhanal Laah, Wal hamdulil Laah. Wa lahilaaha illal Laah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar Wa lilaLaahil Hamd”.
Chanting these words definitely puts you in the Eid celebration mood. The feeling starts to creep in and the feeling is beyond excitement, Subhanal Laah. Do you know why? The most beautiful words that Allah cherishes the most are Subhanal Laah, Wal-hamdu lilLah, wa Laa iLaaha illa Laah, Allahu Akbar. Saying these words excites Almighty Allah, and in sha Allah will make a way to make you more excited when you say these words.
Eat Sweet and Delicious Food
The prophet (PBUH) recommends having breakfast the morning of Eid as early as possible. It is a sunnah that you break your morning fast with wholesome and delicious food that are halal and healthy. Fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon, papaya, cucumber and zucchini are great options. Berries are great options with their numerous antioxidants properties.
Give Zakatul-Fitr
Zakatul-Fitr is not obligatory unto those who cannot afford it. If you have the means, you are obligated to give Zakatul-Fitr on behalf of yourself, your unmarried children and your spouse.
You must make sure that you fulfill your obligations of giving Zakat-ul-fitr no matter what. There are clear and precise rules on how Zakatul-Fitr should be given. If in doubt, ask an Imam for clarification and guidance. Make sure you do your part in giving Zakatul-fitr before the Eid prayer begins. That’s most important.
Pray Eid Prayers at the Prayer Ground
The most important thing to do on Eid day is the Eid prayers and the Khutba (Sermon). Eid prayer and Khutba are obligatory and are the STARs of the day. Make sure to pray your Eid prayer in a congregation. Try to take different route when going and coming back from Eid.
Note: If you are a woman and you are mentruating, it is strongly recommended that you go to the Eid prayer ground. However, you do not have to say the prayers but it is highly advisable to listen to the khutba. Listening to the Khutba carries a lot of blessings from Allah.
Gifting and Visiting Family and Friends.
Visitng friends and family is one of the highlights of every Eid celebration. It is important that you celebrate Eid with Family, friends and neighbors. I know that, many of us do not leave near our family and wish to celebrate with them. The easiest thing you can do is call them. Plan early if you want to send them gifts. If you happen to celebrate Eid with Family, be sure to greet them with the best of greetings ” Assalaamu alaikum”. Wish them “Kulu Aamun Wa antum Bi khair” meaning, may you be your best Every year” in sha Allah. Make sure to share the joy of this special day with people around you including your non-muslim neighbors. This helps to create strong family bonds, brotherhood and community.
To make this day even more special to you and others, you may visit the sick and elderly in the community. And do remember to pray for the deceased and your loved ones who are no longer here with us.
Fast Sitta Shawwal
Ramadan is the month when all of us strive to be the best version of ourselves. Our behavior, ibaadat and the way we view the world and our Creator are all influenced by the blessed month of Ramadan. You have been blessed to be able to fast in Ramadan. Also, the mere fact that you are alive to welcome the month following Ramadan (Shawwal) is a huge blessing in itself. It is recommended that you observe the six days fast in this month if you are well and fit.
The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that “whoever completes his Fast in Ramadan and then goes ahead and fast for six days in the moth of Shawwal, he will be rewarded as if he fasted for the WHOLE YEAR”, and all you previous sins will be forgiven”. Narrated by Muslim.
Obviously, observing Sitta Shawwal brings major rewards. To commence the end of Ramadan, it is highly recommended that you take advantage of the bountiful rewards and blessings and fast for six days on any day of the month of Shawwal.
Continue the Ibaadat after Eid-ul-Fitr
Dedicating as much time to various acts of worship like praying nawaafil, Qur’an recitation, and Dhikr in other months than Ramadan might seem a lot, it is easy to give up and discontinue all the beautiful ibaadat after Ramadan. And That is fine. In-sha-Allah, make sure you do not completely give up all the good acts of worship and good habits you propagated in Ramadan. You should try to come out of this Ramadan as a much better person, both spiritually and physically than you were the beginning. Continue to ask Allah to bless you and grant you the opportunity to be able to continue through out the year in-sha-ALLAH .
I pray that Allah accepts all our fast and ibaadat. My biggest prayer is that Allah, in His bountiful mercies and Rahmah grants and reunites us in Jannatul-Firdaus without Hisaab(judgement) in-sha-Allah.
In all the excitements and enjoyment, do remember your hard work in Ramadan and try not to get involve in acts that will counteract with all your hard work in Ramadan.
Kullu aamun wa antum bi khair from my Family to YOURS.
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Allahoumma baarik, such an insightful and comprehensive article with tips that are true gems. Congrats on the launch, super proud of you!
HamduliLah hamdulilLah. As Ramadan is leaving us and Eid-ul-Fitr is fast approaching, I decided to make this my first post. Hopefully it will be beneficial to someone out there. Good to hear that you like it. JazaakilLahu khairan always. much love dear sister.