PUBLICATION BY: DR. BASYOUNY NEHELA
“Remember Allah the Almighty during specific numbered days.” (Qur’an 2:203)
Eid Mubarak to all! May Allah accept from us all our good deeds, our remembrance of Him and our sacrifice, and make us from among those who have been forgiven.
As we are preparing for Eid Al-Adha this year, I would like to remind us all about a few Islamic principles and prophetic practices to follow during this happy occasion:
- Eid in Islam is a form of worship and devotion, so let us celebrate Eid by purifying our intentions to celebrate solely for the sake of Allah and according to His guidelines.
- The remembrance of Allah is the core essence of Eid Al-Adha, let us remember Him continuously by mentioning His beautiful names and great attributes and being mindful of His commandments.
- Express gratitude to Allah by spreading joy and happiness, sharing Allah’s bounties with others and taking care of those who are in need.
- Starting after Fajr prayer of the day Of Arafah (the 9 of Dhul-Hijjah) till the Asr prayer of the third day of Eid (the thirteenth of Dhul -Hijjah), recite the Eid takbeer chant: Allahu Akbar (3x), Laa illaaha illa Allah, Allahu akbar (2x), wa Lillaahil Hamd. (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, there is no deity but Allah, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest and praise be to Allah). Do this after each prayer and throughout your day, with your family and community, in your homes and place of worship, and create an environment where everyone is chanting and recognizing the greatness of our Lord.
- Joining our community with our families in performing the EID prayer, which is 2 rakat. In the first rakah when you start the prayer, say 7 Allahu Akbars (with the opening Allahu Akbar included in that, before reciting Surah Al-Fatiha). Then, when you are coming up for the second rakah, say 5 Allahu Akbars. This is followed by a short Khutbah to which we should listen to attentively.
- It is Sunnah to hasten to offer the sacrifice after the Eid prayer, as the Messenger ﷺ, used to do. It is reported that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ slaughtered (sacrificed) two horned rams, black and white in color, and said Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) (Bukhari).
- Greeting one another on this happy occasion, visiting one another and exchanging gifts are all prophetic ways of celebrating. This can be offered financially, emotionally, or even by making Duaa to one another.
- Keep in mind that Eid is not an occasion to take a break from your Islamic responsibilities, nor to waste time and money in extravagance. Be balanced and prophetic in celebrating.
- Lastly, these blessed days mark many Islamic events and occasions, the most well known of which is the “Last Sermon” of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet gave his last sermon while performing his last Hajj. We should not let this Eid pass without reminding ourselves of the legacy the Prophet had left for the Muslim Ummah and all humanity.
Finally: Make sincere and constant Duaa “supplications”. And don’t forget to include your brothers and sisters in the world, especially those who are suffering, our Islamic institutions, and our society at large.
May Allah accept from us all and grant us prosperity on this day and beyond. May you have a blessed Eid Ul-Adha!
Dr. Basyouny Nehela
President, Boston Islamic Seminary