Eid Al-Adha is almost upon and many of us have already begun making huge preparations for the blessed day! From buying sacrificial animals (Qurbani/Udhiyya) to preparing new clothes, Eid Al-Adha is a time when we all come together to truly celebrate and remember the story of Prophet Abraham AS.
Some of us may be in the holy lands for Hajj. A lot of us will be at home. Wherever you may be this Eid, make it count. Instead of letting the day of Eid Al-Adha go by like a blur, consider the following Sunnah practises to make this day special, joyful and blessed.
Awaking Early & Morning Routine
Start the day off by waking up early so that you don’t miss the chance of praying Fajr in congregation at the mosque. Upon returning home, one should perform the purificatory bath (ghusl), which also applies to a person who does not attend the Eid prayer. Whilst performing Ghusl, try to focus on oral hygiene by using a miswaak or a toothbrush if a miswaak is not accessible. On completing the Ghusl, finalise this by wearing either new or the best of your clothes and applying the best of your perfumes.
Walking, Taking Different Routes and Meeting Others
When making your way to the mosque, try to walk there. If that’s not possible, park your car at a distance from the mosque and walk the remaining way. Take one route there and another back while saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ quietly to oneself. The significance of taking two routes is that one maximises his chance of meeting and rejoicing with more people. Upon meeting someone on the day, say, ‘Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum’ (May Allah accept it from us and from you), as was the practice of the Sahaba.
Eat Some Dates After Eid Prayers
Whilst the Sunnah is to eat something sweet (ideally dates) before leaving the house on Eid Al-Fitr, the opposite should be done on the day of Eid Al-Adha. Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated from his father that “The Prophet PBUH would not leave on the Day of Fitr until he ate, and he would not eat on the Day of Adha until he prayed.” [Jami al-Tirmidhi]
It is recommended to have some dates after the Eid Al-Adha prayers once you’re home or immediately after the prayers. The scholars mention the reason for this is because this is the day to eat from what animal has been sacrificed and this is done after the prayers.
Remember The Story of Prophet Abraham AS
For Muslims to connect better with the days of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha, it is highly recommended to peruse key moments of Prophet Abraham’s (AS) life.
His life was an interesting and eventful one. From oppressive kings to cruel pharaohs, Prophet Abraham’s (AS) saga reached its peak when he was instructed to settle his wife, Hajar and child, Ismail in the barren desert of Makkah. The reason and history of what we know of Hajj begin to reveal itself from this point onwards.
To learn more about the Hajj rituals, where they came from and why we do them, check out this article about The Key Rituals of Hajj.
Eat, Drink and Spend Time With Others
The day of Eid is all about gathering, spending time with loved ones and sharing the love by gifting and sharing. Whatever you choose to do on this day, give the day its due significance. Eating and drinking on this day are stressed to the point that Allah has made it illegal to fast on the day.
Express Your Gratitude
Throughout the day, one should try to continuously be conscious of Allah by thanking Him and making one’s happiness and joy apparent. Whilst it is a day of festivity and rejoicing, a huge part of Eid is all about expressing gratitude to Allah for being able to celebrate this blessed day. If you are in the blessed lands for Hajj, rejoice and thank Allah for the immense opportunity He has afforded you. If you have not been yet and plan to do so in the future, beseech Allah’s mercy and ask Him to make the journey possible for you.
Do Something Special!
Make an effort to organise time for leisurely activities. Take the kids out for the day. Dine out with the spouse. Buy gifts for one another. Visit your grandparents if they are still with you. Make it a point to visit the graveyard to pay your respects to those who could not be with us on this day. Whatever you choose to do on the day of Eid Al-Adha, ensure that you spend generously and make it a time to remember.
The details of how one should spend the day of Eid have been left vague for a reason. There are integral things to be conscious of such as thanking Allah, rejoicing and praying the Eid salah as early as possible. However, besides these acts, one can spend the day how he/she wishes as long as one does not engage in disliked or prohibited endeavours.
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
