Masâ’il Pertaining to Eid

Necessary Laws Pertaining to Sadaqatul Fitr

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “The fast remains suspended between the heavens and the earth until fitrah is discharged.” (Targheeb)

It is a Sunnah that the Sadaqatul Fitr is paid before performing the Eid prayer. Timely payment of Fitra will facilitate distribution before Eid in accordance with the Sunnah.

1. Sadqatul Fitr is obligatory on two types of people.

a) A person who is bound by the shariat to pay zakât (poor- due).

b) A person who has that amount of wealth on which zakât is obligatory although he is not liable for paying zakât. For instance, a person owns two houses, one in which he lives while the second one is either vacant or on lease. If the value of the second house is equal to the amount on which zakât is obligatory, then Sadqatul Fitr will become obligatory. If the second house is also used for dwelling purposes then Sadqatul Fitr will not be obligatory on him.

2. A person has more than the necessary amount of wealth but he has debts. If he has to deduct the debts from his wealth, he would have that amount of wealth on which zakât is obligatory, then Sadqatul Fitr will be obligatory on him.

3. Sadqatul Fitr has to be distributed before the Eid salâh. If due to certain reasons it was not distributed, then it should be done after the Eid salâh.

4. Sadqatul Fitr can also be distributed during Ramadân.

5. A parent/guardian is responsible for the Sadqatul Fitr of his children if they do not have their own wealth.

6. Sadqatul Fitr is obligatory on those who fasted as well as on those who had not fasted.

7. The amount of Sadqatul Fitr is 1.633kg of wheat or 3.266kg of barley or the equivalent in cash.

 Recipients of Sadaqatul Fitr

1. Sadqatul Fitr should be given to a poor and needy person.

2. It can also be given to such a person on whom one has conviction that he will spend it in the correct avenue.

3. If a person gives his Sadqatul Fitr to an institute, madrasah, committee or society, then he has to ascertain its correct expenditure, otherwise it will not be permissible to give it there.

4. Similarly it is not permissible to give one’s Sadqatul Fitr towards the building or reparation of a musjid nor is it permissible to use it for Takfeen or Tajheez purposes (burial rites).

5. A person cannot give his Sadqatul Fitr to a Sahib-e-nisâb (one in possesion of that amount of wealth which makes zakât obligatory), nor is it permissible to give it to a Sayyed (family of Nabi SAW) or to one’s family members.

NB: Special care should be taken in distributing Sadqatul Fitr because it is wajib (compulsory).

 Sunnats pertaining to Eid

1. A person should get up early.

2. He should dress according to the Shariat.

3. He should make ghusl (shar’i bath).

4. He should use the Miswâk.

5. He should wear his finest clothes.

6. He should apply itr (perfume).

7. He should eat something sweet before proceeding to the Eidgah eg. dates etc.

8. He should go to the Eidgah early.

9. He should distribute his Sadqatul Fitr before proceeding to the Eidgah.

10. He should read the Eid salâh in the Eidgah because it is not permissible to read the Eid salâh in the local Musjid without any Shar’i (Islamically legal) excuse.

11. He should use different roads enroute to the Musjid and home.

12. He should recite the following Takbeer slowly:

 Injunctions Pertaining to Eid

1. It is prohibited to read any nafl salâh before or after the Eid salâh in the Eidgah.

2. To read Eid salâh in the local Musjid is against the sunnah.

3. One has to sit for the duration of both the Khutbas even though one cannot hear the Khutba.Many people leave the Musjid after the Eid salâh. This is an act of bid’ah and besides being deprived of the reward, it is a sinful act.

4. It is permissible to perform janâza salâh in the Eidgah.

5. It is not permissible to appoint such a person the Imâm, who shaves or trims his beard less than a fist length, for any salâh.

6. It will be permissible to leave out sajda-e-sahw (remedial prostration) if it becomes necessary.

 The Method of Performing Eid Salâh

A person should make the intention of performing two rakâts wajib Eid salâh with six additional takbeers. Then, saying Allahu akbar he should fold his hands and recite thana. Thereafter he should say Allahu akbar twice and lower his hands. He should then say Allahu akbar for the third time and complete the rakât as normal. In the second rakat after the recitation of surah fateha and the qirât, he should say Allahu akbar thrice and lower his hands each time. Then he should say Allahu akbar the fourth time, proceed for ruku and complete the rakât as usual.

Nabi (Saw) said: “The person who stays awake on the nights preceeding the 2 Eids occupying himself with ibâdah, his heart will not die on the day when everyone’s heart will perish. (His heart will not die during the time of evil and corruption). It could also mean that with the blowing of the trumpet his soul will not become unconscious.

Note Well:

1. It is incorrect to use the Musjid carpets in the Eidgah.

2. Musafaha (hand shaking) is not amongst the sunnats of the Eids or Friday. Those who stress in doing so are incorrect. Only at the time of meeting or departing is it sunnat to make musafaha.