[UPDATED 28th Apr 2022] Eid is almost here everyone! Assalamualaikum ☺️ While we are sad to see Ramadan pass us by, we look forward to celebrating our month of worship with loved ones. Credit: Giphy The best way to start our Eid, be it Eidulfitri or Eiduladha, is of course through the prophetic ways of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Note: This post was written by Ustaz Md Khalid Md Rafi, who is part of the Asatizah Youth Network and is based in Singapore.

1. Cleanliness is holiness!

We reap rewards just for taking a bath, cutting our nails and perfuming ourselves before heading out for Eidulfitri prayers. These are the basics of our everyday life but yet, we get rewards insyaAllah! Easy peasy lemon squeezy ? A Muslim is one who is always conscious of purity and cleanliness, not only in matters of spirituality but also physically. [P.S. Is your house Raya ready yet? If it isn't, here are 10 handy time-saving tips to help you get Raya ready!]

2. Donning the best clothes

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was known to have worn his best garment on Eid and for Jumaat prayers. Every culture has its own style and sense of dressing, which vary from person to person. Honour your own unique culture, in the best of your garments and celebrate your Eid with loved ones!

[P.S. Check out how Eid is celebrated all around the world!]

3. Eating before leaving the house

Eat something, specifically an odd number of dates, before heading to the prayer on Eidulfitri. Anas Ibn Malik (ra) narrated, “Allah's Messenger (pbuh) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of Eidulfitri unless he had eaten some dates… and he would eat an odd number of dates.” (HR Bukhari)

If you do not have dates, even a glass of water would suffice! Hydrate and head out. Be careful not to have the whole meal of ketupat, lemang, satay & etc… Because the chances of you even leaving the house would then drop drastically ? [P.S. Not planning to cook this Raya? We've rounded up 10 awesome eateries in SG that deliver the perfect Raya meal!]

4. Takbir on the Day of Eid

Takbir starts from the night before Eid after maghrib, until the Imam starts the prayer the next day. Make Takbir from home to your prayer venue, until the imam comes in to start the prayer.

Credit: Masjid Sultan Singapore on Facebook

5. To attend the Eid prayer

We should strive to attend the Eid prayer; men, women, and children. Even women who are menstruating are encouraged to attend the celebration although she does not need to join the prayer. It is sunnah to perform this prayer in congregation. Congregating promotes the spirit of unity. "Semangat gotong-royong" (mutual cooperation) for all occasions, as they say! This year, you'll need to book slots for praying! Check out our handy guide on how to do so!

Credit: Masjid Sultan Singapore on Facebook

6. How do we perform Solat Eidulfitri?

6.1) Set the intention in our heart. “I intend to perform 2 Rakaat of solat sunnah Eidulfitri as a makmum”. The Eidulfitri prayer is 2 rakaats, almost similar to every other sunnah prayers with minor differences.
6.2) Stand and raise our hands. Say “Allahu Akbar” (takbir) after the Imam. The Imam will now recite the takbir 7 times excluding the “takbiratul ihram” (first takbir to enter prayer) in the first rakaat.
6.3) Repeat after the Imam, while raising our hands before placing it back on our chest after each takbir. One could continue to recite the following in between the takbir: “SubhanAllah, Walhamdulillah, Walailaha illa allah, Wallahu Akbar.”
6.4) The Imam will read Surah Al-Fatihah and a selected surah. The congregation will recite Al-Fatihah after the imam’s recitation. Listening attentively to the subsequent surah is highly encouraged!
6.5) Makmum will now follow the imam’s actions for ruku’, iktidal, sujud, sitting between the two sujud and sujud before proceeding to stand up for the next rakaat.

Credit: Masjid Al-Falah on Facebook

6.6) Over the second rakaat, the Imam will recite the takbir 5 times, excluding the “takbiratul intiqal” (takbir due to movement).
6.7) We should repeat after the Imam, while raising our hands before placing it back on our chest after each takbir. Continue to recite the following in between the takbir : “Subhan Allah, Walhamdulillah, Walailaha illa allah, Wallahu Akbar.”
6.8) The Imam will then read Surah Al-Fatihah and a selected surah. The congregation will recite the Al-Fatihah after the imam’s recitations. Again, active listening to the Imam is a plus!
6.9) Makmum will then follow the imam’s actions for rukuk, iktidal, sujud, sitting between the two sujud, sujud, tahiyyat akhir before proceeding to give the salam.

Don't go home after the prayers guys no matter how strong the lontong pull may be ? The Imam will deliver a sermon (khutbah) in which he will advocate for goodness, encourage us to give to charity and to stay connected to Allah.

7. Congratulating one another

Exchange congratulations and pleasantries on Eid, and say, “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept the worship from us and from you) or anything along the line but please don’t say “Nawaitu shama ghadin….” (niat puasa) ?

Credit: Masjid Al-Falah on Facebook Exchange pleasantries in our language such as “Eid Mubarak”, “Selamat Hari Raya” and other similar permissible greetings too (:

8. To use alternate routes to and from prayer

It is recommended for us to return home from Eid prayers by a different direction. No, not to collect more Raya money but because it is prophetic! It will provide us the necessary opportunity for us to give charity for those in need, or to visit ones’ relatives and uphold the ties of kinship. May we see each other in blessed light this Eidulfitri, through congregating in prayer at the mosque ? This post was written by Ustaz Md Khalid Md Rafi, who is part of the Asatizah Youth Network. Find more articles on Islamic religious knowledge at muslim.sg. Ustaz Khalid can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

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