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SALAATUL 'EEDAIN (THE TWO 'EID PRAYERS)

'Eid prayer is Sunnah Muakkadah, it was established on the first year of the Islaamic calendar, Hijrah. The Prophet regularly observed 'Eid and recommended that men, women, and children go out for its prayer and celebration.

ISLAAMIC CALENDAR

Before we proceed, it will be appropriate to mention our calendar, Al-Hijrah, which is based on the lunar system. There are twelve months in the system. They are:

1. Muharram	5. Jumaadal Awwal	9. Ramadaan
2. Safar	6. Jumaadath Thaanee	10. Shawwaal
3. Rabee'ul Awwal	7. Rajab	11. Dhul Qi'adah
4. Rabee'uth Thaanee	8. Sha'abaan	12. Dhul Hijjah

There are two 'Eid Festivities in Al-Islaam: 'Eidul Fitr, the festival of Fast Breaking, and 'Eidul Adhaa, the Festival of Sacrifice.

The first 'Eid falls on the first of the tenth month, Shawwaal, soon after the fasting of the ninth month, Ramadaan. The second 'Eid is celebrated in the twelfth month, Dhul Hijjah, during the courses of Hajj pilgrimage, observed in Mecca, Mina, Muzdalifah and 'Arafaat.

There are certain Sunnahs to be observed on the day of 'Eid.

1. Using perfume and putting on one's best clothes.
2. Eating before going out to 'Eidul Fitr, and doing otherwise before 'Eidul Adhaa.
3. Performance of the prayer in a public park is better, unless there are reasons to prevent this.
4. Jabir (r.'a.) reported that the Prophet used to go to the 'Eid ground by one way and return by another.
5. Recitation of the Takbeer, the words of greatness:

   Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar	Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,
   Allaahu Akbar laa ilaaha	Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,
   illallaah, Allaahu Allaahu wa	there is no deity but Allah, praise be
   lillaahil hamd, Allaahu Akbar	to Allah, Allah is Greatest, the
   Kabeera wal hamdilillaahi	Powerful and abundant praises are
   katheera wasubhaanallaahi	due to Allah, and Glory be to Allah
   bukratan Wa aseela	early in the morning and in the
   	evening.
   Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahuu	There is no deity but Allah one and
   sadaqa wa'adahu wa nasara	only, He fulfilled His promise
   'abdahu wa a'azza jundahu wa	helped His servant, strengthened His
   hajamal ahzaaba wahdah	forces, and alone routed out the clans.
   Laa ilaaha illah walaa na-	There is no deity but Allah, Him
   'abudu illa iyyaahu mukhlis-	alone we worship offering Him sin
   eena la huddeen walau karihal	cere devotion even if the disbeliever
   kaafiruun	distates (it)
   Allaahumma salli 'alaa sayyidi-	O Allah, evoke Your blessings on
   naa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali	Prophet Muhammad, the family of
   say yidina Muhammad wa'alaa	Prophet Muhammad, the companions
   ashaabi sayyidanaa Muhammad	of Prophet Muhammad, the helpers
   wa 'alaa ansaari say yidinaa	of Prophet Muhammad, the wives of
   Muhammad wa 'alaa ajwaaj	Prophet Muhammad, and the de-
   sayyidianaa Muhammad	scendants of Prophet Muhammad,
   wa'alaa dhuriyyati sayyidinaa	O Allah, do send abundant peace on
   Muhammad wa sallam	the Prophet.
   tasleeman katheeraa.

6. The time of 'Eid prayer begins with the sunrise and lasts till noon, but the Sunnah of the Prophet was to make 'Eid early in the morning.
7. There is no Adhaan or Iqaamah for the 'Eid prayer.

TAKBEER IN 'EID

Salaatul 'Eid is two raka'aats. It is Sunnah to make "Allaahu Akbar," seven times in the first raka'ah and five times in the second raka'ah, not including the Takbeer of Qiyaam. The hands should be raised with every takbeer.

The procedures of Salaatul 'Eid are the same as for the morning prayer, Subh, except that it has no Iqaasnah or Adhaan. This prayer is followed by a Khutbah in which the speaker may discuss issues of concern to the Muslim Ummah in the light of Al-Quran and Hadeeth.

FESTIVITY ON THE DAY OF 'EID

Allah the Almighty in His mercy on the Muslim Ummah, has appointed for us, in a year, two 'Eid festivities: 'Eidul Fitr and 'Eidul Adhaa. On these days, and succeeding two or three days, we celebrate happily and merrily. Gifts are exchanged among the Muslims. Parents buy new clothes and other gifts for their children. This is important for Muslims in non-Islaamic countries, where the need for letting their children feel the bounties of 'Eid is great because of the effect Christmas and other non-Muslim festivities can have on the Muslim children.

Lawful enjoyment and decent merrymaking and sports are allowed on the days of 'Eid. Among the games related from the Prophet are track racing, wrestling, and horse back riding. Other modern sports, such as football, baseball, etc., are permissible, provided that in all these sports Qimaar, gambling or betting, is not involved.

Pleasant singing and clean music that is free from profanity and sexual exploitation, unlike the majority of modern music and entertainment outlets, may Allah forbid, is allowed.

The gathering and all other events organized for the festivities should be separate for men and women, for we are warned against mixing, touching, and hugging between men and women who are not related to each other, for instance, if they are not husbands, wives, daughters, sisters and brothers. In Hadeeth, the Prophet has been reported as saying:

"It is better for anyone of you to be stabbed on his head with a metal needle than to touch a woman that is not lawful for him." (Tabraanee/Baihakee)

The event should not preoccupy the participants so that they forget ahout a religious obligation, such as neglecting 'Asr or Maghrib prayer. Allah Almighty says:

"So woe to the worshipers, who are neglectful of their prayers." (Al- Quran, 107:4-5)

The word neglectful has been explained to mean, among other things, delaying the prayer till its time passes away.

EXCHANGING GREETINGS ON THE 'EID

It is Sunnah to exchange greetings among the Muslims on the day of celebration, the following expressions might be used:

1. Transliteration: Taqabbalallaahu mina wa minkum.
   Meaning: May Allah accept from us and from you.
2. Transliteration: 'Eidun Mubaarak.
   Meaning: May Allah bless your 'Eid.
3. Transliteration: A'aadahullaahu 'alaina wa 'alaikum.
   Meaning: May Allah return it to us and to you.
4. Transliteration: Kullu 'aamin wa antum bikhair.
   Meaning: I/we pray that you are fine every year.