How to Spend your 'Eid' according to Sunnah

“Praise be to Allah (s.w.t) The most Merciful The most Beneficent”
Some of the Sunnah’s that should be observed on the day of Eid are mentioned below:

Doing Ghusl Before Going Out for The Eid Prayer:

It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. Al-Muwatta’ 428. 

Al- Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to do ghusl for Eid prayer. 

The reason why it is mustahabb is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumu’ah and other public gatherings. Rather on Eid the reason is even stronger.

Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha:

Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid al-Fitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953. 

It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended. 

Takbeer on the day of Eid:

This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him”

[al-Baqarah 2:185] 

It was narrated that al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: I asked al-Awzaa’i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer out loud on the two Eids. They said, Yes, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers). 

Offering Congratulations:

It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446. 

Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid al-Fitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953. 

It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended. 

Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid:

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that:
“Umar took a brocade cloak that was for sale in the market and brought it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and said, “O Messenger of Allah, buy this and adorn yourself with it for Eid and for receiving the delegations.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to him, “Rather this is the dress of one who has no share (of piety or of reward in the Hereafter)” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 948.]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) agreed with ‘Umar on the idea of adorning oneself for Eid, but he denounced him for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk. 

It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756, 

Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid. 

So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid. 

With regard to women, they should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for Eid, because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. It is also haraam for a woman who wants to go out to put on perfume or to expose men to temptation, because they are only going out for the purpose of worship. 

 

Our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reported that servants who get cleaned by fasting and worshiping should wish whatever they want from Allah.

“In the morning eids, when muslims congregated in mosques for prayer, Allah (swt) asks angels, “What is the reward of a person who completes his duty?”

Angels say: “It is to collect his/her payment.”

Then Allah (swt) says: “Witness that I place my consent and forgiveness on my servants who fasts (sawm) and prays in Ramadan. O My servants, today wish whatever you want from me because I will give whatever you want for the right to my glory and Jalal.” (Bayhaki)

Rejoice on the Eid day

When the day of Ramadan eid comes (Eid-ul-Fitr) angels stand on roads and say:

"O Muslim Community! Please run towards your generous Lord, he does favours and bestows generously. You've been ordered to pray at nights, to fast (sawm) in the daytime. Fast and you obey your Lord so you can get your rewards.”

When they pray, a voice speaks: "Listen well, your Lord has forgiven you. Return to your homes having found the right path. The day of eid is the day of reward. Today is called "reward day" on the heaven." (Tabarani)

Go out on the day of eid:

Our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) narrated that Allah would manifest himself on the earth in feast day with his own mercy.

“Allah manifests himself with His mercy on the earth on the days of eid of Ramadan (Al-Fitr) and Sacrifice (Al-Adha). If so, you should go out of the house for visiting and salah so that mercy can touch you." (Ibn-i Asakir)