Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated accordingly for one, two and three days. Common greetings during the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr are ‘Eid Mubarak’ meaning “Blessed Eid” or ‘Eid Sa’eed’ meaning “Happy Eid”, which are the Arabic greeting. Over the years the traditions and customs have changed slightly but the very essence of greeting on the day of festivity is very much in accordance with principle idea. On this day, Muslims have also been encouraged to forget and forgive any differences or any past animosities that would have occurred with other people during the whole year.
Normally, Muslims wake relatively very early in the morning of Eid-ul-Fitr always before sunrise and offer pre-sunrise prayer (Salatul Fajr). In addition, Muslim keep in view the Sunnah (actions and traditions of Prophet Muhammad) follow it and clean teeth with toothbrush or Miswaak, and take shower or “Ghusul” before the Fajr prayers, put new clothes or the best available cloth, and also apply perfume.
It is forbidden or haraam, for every Muslim individual to fast on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. That is the reason why it is suggested to have small breakfast (as a mark of not being on the fast on that particular day) of any sweet dish, or preferably the date fruit, before offering the special Eid-ul-Fitr prayer (salaat).
The following acts and traditions are the Sunnah on Eid-ul-Fitr:
- Wake up early in the morning.
- Cleaning teeth with a toothbrush or Miswaak.
- Taking a bath.
- Wearing new clothes or the best available clothing in possession.
- Applying perfume.
- Eating a sweet dish or food, most preferably date fruit, before offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayer.
- Paying Sadaqat-ul-fitr, which is an obligatory charity to the needy and poor person before offering the ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ prayer by all adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat.
- Showing happiness
- Giving as much in charity as possible.
- Reading Salatul Fajr in local Masjid.
- Going early to Masjid for Eid salaat
- Reading the Eid-ul-Fitr salaat in the open field.
- Going for the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer on foot.
- Reciting the following incantation (Takbir) in a very low voice while going to the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer: Allah o Akbar, Allah o Akbar, Allah o Akbar, La-ilaaha illal lahu wal-Allah o Akbar, Allah o Akbar Wa lilla-hil hamd. Recitation of this Takbir ceases when one reach to the Masjid for Eid prayers or when the Imam commences its activities.
- Muslims are recommended to make use of two different routes to and from the Masjid or the prayer grounds.