The 8-Minute Eid-ul-Fitr Guide: Read before Eid
All the Sunnahs, best practices and do's/don'ts rolled into one guide.
First of all, Eid Mubarak to all those who are observing Eid-ul-Fitr :)
May Allah accept our worship, prayers, and efforts we made in the Beautiful Month of Ramadan.
This article was written in 2025, however,
InshaAllah it will apply to all those who read it in any following year :)
What to take away from Ramadan
Before we get into Eid mode, I want to share a friendly reminder on what we need to carry forward from Ramadan:
Taqwa (God-consciousness) - "Lallakum tattaqoon"
We developed self-control by avoiding even halal food in private.
This proved we have the spiritual strength to avoid sins year-round.
The same willpower that kept us from eating during daylight can keep us from sinning.
"If you can abstain from what's essential to life (food/water), you can certainly abstain from what's not essential (sins)" — Maulana Yousuf Khan
Gratitude (Shukr) - "Lallakum tashkuroon"
We experienced special joy at iftar that teaches appreciation.
We learned to value blessings by temporarily going without them.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The fasting person has two joys: joy when breaking the fast and joy when meeting his Lord."
This gratitude should extend beyond Ramadan
Guidance (Hidayah) - "Lallahum yarshudoon"
We followed Allah's commands throughout the month.
We developed habits of obedience and discipline.
Guidance is following Allah and His Messenger's instructions.
Ramadan trained us in communal obedience through regular prayer.
BEFORE EID
For some odd reason, some folks go into a manic state of hedonism as soon as Eid is announced.
The same Muslims who were standing in Taraweeh prayers for 2 hours for 30 nights straight, suddenly are found absent in Isha and Fajr prayers. Come on, guys.
Instead of the masajid (where we earned the license to celebrate in the first place), the shops, cafes, and restaurants get packed with people.
We can do better. We need to do better.
Things to keep in mind.
The Oft-Forgotten Night
First, you need to remember that there is one milestone everyone tends to miss: Lailatul Jaiza - The Night of Rewards (this is the night before Eid prayers)
Prophet (saw) is reported to have said in a hadith in Sunan ibn Maja:
"Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die"Though this hadith is considered weak (zaeef), scholars of every generation highly recommend utilizing this night, as forgiveness is abundant.
If every night of Ramadan was a distribution night for gold coins, this night is like getting a blank cheque. We need to cash in with dhikr, nafl prayers, tilawat, and lots and lots of dua.
Just as no student would miss their graduation to go shopping, no believer should waste this night of divine rewards. Make it count.
Sadaqah Fitr - Obligatory Charity
Must be paid before Eid prayer to be counted as Sadaqah Fitr.
Required for every Muslim who has wealth equal to nisab.
Pay for yourself and dependent children who haven't reached adulthood. For exact amounts, please consult your local masjid.
Who are valid recipients?
Relatives in need (except direct lineage: parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouse)
General rule: Anyone who doesn't possess wealth equal to nisab
Religious educational institutions (madrasas)
Can be given as "Eidi" without explicitly mentioning it's Sadaqah Fitr
Giving to relatives brings double reward (charity + strengthening family ties)
ON EID DAY
Sunnahs of Eid
Recite Takbeer from sunset on the last day of Ramadan until the Imam arrives for prayer
"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillahi'l-hamd"
Men should recite audibly; women softly
A good practice is to recite this as you change positions (exiting the home, coming back home, standing etc.):
Wake up early (continuing the habit developed during Ramadan)
Also, don’t miss Fajr prayer. Try to pray it in the masjid.Take a bath (ghusl) before the Eid prayer.
Use miswak (tooth cleaning stick)
Apply fragrance (for men only; women should avoid perfume when going out)
Wear your best clothes (for men; women should wear modest, regular clothes)
Eat something sweet before leaving for Eid prayer (preferably an odd number of dates)
Take different routes to and from the prayer place.
Attend Eid prayer in a large congregation and open plain.
Exchange greetings and embrace other believers (while respecting Islamic guidelines).
Eid Prayer Method
Similar to Jummah prayer with additional takbeers.
First rakah:
After Subhanaka and before Surah Fatiha, say "Allahu Akbar" three times, raising hands to ears and then dropping them.
Second rakah: After Surah Fatiha and before going into ruku, say "Allahu Akbar" three times, raising hands to ears and then dropping them.
What to Avoid
Don't waste the night before Eid in shopping or entertainment.
I know this is hard for people to swallow. But at the very least, reserve some portion of the night for dua and prayers. You already worked so hard in Ramadan to build that discipline. Don’t pour it down the drain.
Eid is not a license to follow the Nafs and break Allah’s commands
People confuse “celebrating Eid” with gaining some sort of permission to do whatever they wish like indulging in haram, dancing, pulling party pranks, mixing with non-mehram men/women, having excess food/drink.
Calm down. Yes, Alhamdulillah, it’s a day of happiness. But celebrate within the confines of what Allah has permitted.
Ponder on this: Expressing happiness in a manner that goes against Islam is the most counter-intuitive thing you can do on Eid.
Don't return to old habits of negligence in worship
While this applies to every day in the year, it’s mind-boggling to see how the first thing that goes out of the window on Eid day for most folks is remembering to pray Salat. For Allah’s sake, do better.
Don't neglect paying Sadaqah Fitr before Eid prayers
It's obligatory, not optional.
Don't lose the spiritual habits you developed during Ramadan
Keep the momentum going. What’s your excuse now?
Women should avoid wearing perfume or makeup when going to Eid prayer
It’s an act of worship, not an excuse to socialize at a place where non-mehrams will be present in spades.
Avoid singling out Eid day for visiting graves
This practice has no basis from the Sunnah.
Finally, remember:
The strength that helped you avoid halal food during fasting is the same strength that can help you avoid haram (forbidden) things throughout the year.
May Allah accept your fasting, prayers, and charity, and may the joy of Eid stay with you throughout the year.