In the blink of an eye, Ramadan is going to leave us very soon. While we are sad to see Ramadan pass us by, we look forward to celebrating Aidilfitri with our loved ones – though, this year is a complete ‘game changer’ for Muslims all around the world.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that we cannot celebrate Raya like we always did in the previous years. Here is a guide on how you can start your Eid through the prophetic ways of our Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The Simple Sunnahs of Eid
1. Eid-Takbeer (Takbir Raya)
This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid. Traditionally, on the eve of Hari Raya, Muslims will congregate at the mosque after breaking fast on the last day of Ramadan for Takbir Raya. However, this will not be possible for this year’s Raya.
Instead, you can recite Eid-Takbeer in your own homes together with the other family members or follow any live online Takbir.
2. Cleanliness is holiness – ghusl or ‘Mandi sunat hari raya’
Once you are awake and about to take a shower, remember that it is sunnah to ‘mandi hari raya’ or doing ghusl before you proceed to do other thing.
Aside from that, you may cut your nails, and get ready for a Raya prayer by pampering yourselves beautifully. These are the basics in our everyday life, but you will get a special reward for just doing these during Eid. InshaAllah.
3. Donning the Best Clothes
Even though we will spend most of our time inside our own home during this Eid, it doesn’t mean that you should just keep that Baju Raya in the closet. The first day of Raya is still the best day to wear your best Raya clothes.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW himself was known to have worn his best garment on Eid and for Jumaat prayers. Put on your baju kurung or baju Melayu and flaunt it with your loved ones!
4. Eating before You Perform Eid al-Fitr’s Prayer
Part of the etiquette during the morning of the first Hari Raya is to not performing Eid’s prayer without eating (at least) an odd number of dates. Even a glass of water would suffice. 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)
5. Performing Raya’s Prayer (at home)
Since the mosque is limited to only a few number of jemaah, you can still perform Solat Sunat Hari Raya with the entire family or individually.
- If perform individually
- If perform together with the other family members
Here is a simple guide on how you can perform Raya’s prayer at your home, shared by East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre:
6. Congratulating and Greet One Another with Eid Mubarak
After you are done with the prayer, exchange congratulations and pleasantries on Eid like ‘Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin’, ‘Eid Mubarak’, and etc.
For those who are celebrating far away from your family, make a video call and wish each other Hari Raya like you always do. Be prepared for some tear-jerking moment though…
7. Have a Happy Eid Mubarak
Despite the current situation that is happening around us, you can still have a happy and memorable Eid Murabak. It may be difficult, but you can still create beautiful moments together like, have a fun video call sessions with the other relatives and friends, show off your cooking skills, and take a lot of selfies!
8. 6 Days of Fasting in Syawal
After the 1st day of Raya or Syawal, we all are encouraged to extend the Ramadan spiritual momentum by observing the six days of fasting in Syawal.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW famously said as per the hadith in Sahih Muslim:
“Whoever observes the fast of Ramadan and follows it up with six fasts in Syawal will be rewarded as if he has fasted the entire year.”
Ideally, you can fast for 6 days in Syawal starting from the 2nd day of Syawal, or any days in Syawal.
Celebrate your Raya like the previous years with these simple sunnahs of Eid that you can do despite being at home.
Do not despair over the differences that we have to overcome during this year’s Ramadan and Raya. Have faith and put your trust in Him. Together, we can get through this. Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir & Batin!