Soon we will welcome Eid al-Fitr! Wow, it doesn’t feel like Ramadan is almost over. It feels like just yesterday we had our first sahur, eh now we’re already preparing for takbiran. But, are you ready to welcome this day of victory?
So that it’s not just an ordinary celebration, let’s discuss how to welcome Eid al-Fitr in a more meaningful way!
Takbir That Echoes on the Night of Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is very special because it begins with takbir that echoes everywhere. From mosques, prayer rooms, to houses. Even in villages, there are takbir parades that make the atmosphere even more lively.
Rasulullah ﷺ recommends that we perform takbir from sunset on the evening of Eid al-Fitr until the Eid al-Fitr prayer is performed:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
“Allah is Great, Allah is Great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and to Him all praise is due.” (HR. Ibn Majah)
This takbir is not just an ordinary call, but as an expression of our gratitude for the victory over lust during the month of Ramadan. So, don’t forget, at night we enliven it with takbir on Eid al-Fitr!
Also read: Smart Money Management Tips For Homemakers
The Most Beautiful Gift: Zakat Fitrah on Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is not just about new clothes or delicious food. There is one obligation that makes this holiday even more meaningful, namely zakat fitrah. This is mandatory for every Muslim who is able.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
طُهْرَةٌ لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ، وَطُعْمَةٌ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ
“The zakat fitrah is to cleanse the fasting person from dirty and vain words, and as food for the poor.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)
The payment is not much, only about 2.5/3 kg of rice or the equivalent. The evidence regarding the amount of zakat fitrah is also mentioned in the following hadith:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ زَكَاةَ الفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ، أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ، عَلَى العَبْدِ وَالحُرِّ، وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى، وَالصَّغِيرِ وَالكَبِيرِ مِنَ المُسْلِمِينَ
“From Abdullah bin Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhuma, he said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ required zakat fitrah one sa’ of dates or one sa’ of wheat for every slave and free person, male and female, child and adult from among the Muslims.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
So, make sure we pay zakat fitrah before the Eid prayer so that it is accepted as worship.
Also read: Let’s Muhasabah! Reflecting on One’s Shortcomings
Silaturahmi on Eid al-Fitr: Not Just Apologizing
Eid al-Fitr is synonymous with apologies. But actually, the essence of Eid al-Fitr is not just the words “apologize physically and mentally”. What is more important is to repair relationships that may have been broken.
A hadith states:
لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَاطِعٌ
“The one who breaks off silaturahmi will not enter heaven.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
This Eid al-Fitr moment is perfect for repairing relationships with relatives, friends, or neighbors that may have been less than good.
Also read: Is Hidayah Awaited or Sought?
Don’t Forget to Fast Shawwal After Eid al-Fitr!
After a full month of fasting, it turns out that there is a practice that can increase the reward, namely fasting six days in the month of Shawwal.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
منْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted all year long.” (HR. Muslim)
So, don’t miss out after Eid al-Fitr!
Also read: Kufur Nikmat: Denial of Allah’s Blessings
Khatimah
Now, we know some important practices on Eid al-Fitr. Hopefully we can make the most of this moment. Don’t just focus on new clothes, but also on a new heart cleaner, calmer, and closer to Allah ﷻ.
Eid al-Fitr is a moment full of blessings. Let’s celebrate it with happiness and gratitude.
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References:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Ibn Majah. Sunan Ibn Majah. Dar Ihya al-Kutub al-Arabiyyah.
Abu Dawud. Sunan Abu Dawud. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
