How to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year? Here are 10 things to note for this year's Eid al-Fitr celebration in 2024.
Visit our Ramadan 2024 page for more Ramadan and Eid content!
Eid al Fitr is the 1st day of the month of Shawwal. The 10th month in the Islamic calendar (the month after Ramadan). Some regions will depend on the sighting of the moon to decide on the 1st of Shawwal and some will decide on it based on calculations.
For most regions, Eid al Fitr 2024 will be on the 10th of April. Some regions may celebrate Eid on the 9th or the 11th of April. A very small number may even celebrate on the 12th of April. It is best to check with your closest Mosque to find out about the day of Eid.
Image Credit: Bayu Prayuda on Unsplash
Ensure you have paid Sadaqat-ul-fitr for you and all your dependents before the Eid Salat. Check with the local Mosque on the amount to be paid per person.
Amounts recommended in some countries:
Narrated Nafi (RA):
“Ibn `Umar (RA) said, "The Prophet (SAW) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan)."
The people then substituted half Sa' of wheat for that. Ibn `Umar (RA) used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr). Once there was a scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn `Umar gave barley.
'And Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul- Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the Eid.
(Sahih-al-Bukhari)
Narrated Ibn `Umar (RA):
The Prophet (SAW) ordered the people to pay Zakat al-Fitr before going to the Eid prayer.
(Sahih-al-Bukhari)
It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (RA) said:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) enjoined Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
Image Credit: Falaq Lazuardi on Unsplash
Recite Takbir individually and with family from Maghrib time of the day before Eid day until before the Eid Salat.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد
Image Credit: Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash
Narrated from Abu Umamah (RA):
That the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever spends the nights of the two ‘Eid in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
Image Credit: Hasan Almasi on Unsplash
حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ
Guard your Salah (obligatory regular prayers) especially the middle Salah and stand up with true devotion to Allah
(Qur’an 2:238)
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "The first of man's deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory Salat, the Glorious and Exalted Rubb will command to see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions will be treated in the same manner."
(Sunan-at-Tirmidhi)
There are three steps that are recommended to prepare yourself, especially in terms of looking presentable.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘This day is an ‘Eid (festival) which Allah has ordained for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday (prayer), let him take a bath and if he has perfume then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the tooth stick.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
Image Credit: Mona Mok on Unsplash
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Messenger (SAW) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of `Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet (SAW) used to eat odd number of dates.
(Sahih-al-Bukhari)
Image Credit: Jeremy Yap on Unsplash
This year, mosques are opening and eid prayers with its festivities are expected to come back. But for those who are currently under quarantine due to sickness or in a different condition, performing Eid prayers at home with family is also a way to go.
How to perform Eid prayer at home:
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said:
"when there are three people let one of them lead the prayer, and the one who is most entitled to lead the prayer is the one who has the most knowledge of the Qur'an."
(Sunan an-Nasa'i)
The exact number of additional Takbeer may slightly vary depending on the Madhab you follow.
Recommended Surahs to be recited
It was narrated from An-Nu'man bin Bashir that:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to recite on the two 'Eids and on Friday: سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى (Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High) and هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ (Has there come to you the narration of The Overwhelming?) Sometimes the two ('Eid and Jumu'ah) occurred on the same day, and he would recite them (these two Surahs).
(Sunan an-Nasa'i)
Khutbah after prayers is not compulsory as in Friday prayers.
Many Mosques are live streaming Khutbah that you could listen to.
It was narrated that Abdullah bin Sa’ib (RA) said:
“I attended the ‘Eid prayer with the Messenger of Allah (SAW). He led us in offering the ‘Eid prayer, then he said: ‘I have finished the prayer. Whoever wants to sit (and listen to) the sermon, then let him sit, and whoever wants to leave, then let him leave.’”
(Sunan-Ibn Majah)
Abu Hurayra (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, "Give gifts and you will love one another."
(Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
Aishah (RA) narrated:
"The Prophet (SAW) would accept gifts and he would give something in return."
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
Image Credit: Taylor Grote on Unsplash
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA):
The Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, "What is the matter?' On that, it said, 'I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.' On that Allah said, 'Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?' On that it said, 'Yes, O my Lord!' Then Allah said, 'That is for you.' " Abu Huraira (RA) added: If you wish, you can recite: "Would you then if you were given the authority. do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship. (47. 22)
(Sahih-al-Bukhari)
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA):
I heard Allah's Messenger (SAW) saying, "whoever desires an expansion in his sustenance and age, should keep good relations with his Kith and kin."
(Sahih-al-Bukhari)
May Allah accept your fasting and all the good deeds.
Cover Image Credit: Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash
