By Eid al-Fitr marks the end of our holy month of Ramadan — a special occasion when we celebrate getting to the finish line with our 30-day spiritual journey of cleansing our souls from the burden we’ve been carrying all year round — and the beginning of our Eid celebrations (the Sunnah way).
Having a special place in Muslims’ hearts worldwide, we do our best to make the most of this Eid as long as we can — whether it’s a one-day holiday or a three-day holiday in our countries.
It goes without saying that, as Muslims, we know that the best way to celebrate Eid is by following the example of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. For that reason, we’ve compiled 10 sunnahs that you can do on your first day of Eid so that you can indulge yourself in the beauty of this holy holiday.
From Waking Up to Performing Eid Prayer
1. Take a Shower (the Islamic Way)
According to Ibn Al-Qayyim, “It is established from Ibn Omar, alongside the fact that was ardent in clinging to the Sunnah [of the Prophet ﷺ], that he would take a bath on the day of Eid before leaving his home.” (Zad Al-Ma’ad 1/442)
Ibn Omar (RA) would take a bath on the day of Eid al-Fitr before leaving out to the place of prayer.
(Imam Malik reported in Al-Muwatta)
Though it’s not obligatory, it’s preferred (mustahabb) to make ghusl either before Fajr Prayer or before Eid Prayer (depending on your time frame). If you have time, it’s believed to be better to make your ghusl before you go out to your Eid Prayer.
Either way, ghusl ensures that you’re entirely clean from head to toe, and Allah says in the Quran (9:108): “Allah loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.”
2. Eat an Odd Number of Dates
Since it is forbidden to fast on our first day of Eid, our Prophet ﷺ would eat three or five dates before going out to Eid Prayer so that he wouldn’t be fasting for a long period.
Buraidah (RA) said: “The Prophet ﷺ would not leave home on the day of Fitr until he had eaten, and he would not eat on the day of Adha until he had prayed.”
(Reported by Ahmad and others)
So if you want something sweet before you go out to prayer, nothing is sweeter than a fresh date!
3. Glam Up (Modestly)
Even though we don’t mean to turn that special occasion into the “Muslim Met Gala” (who are we kidding, though, we’re waiting for the pics!), part of being the best version of yourself on that day is to wear your favorite outfit. (Pretty much any outfit you feel confident in!)
The Prophet ﷺ would adorn himself with a garment that he would wear on the two eids and on the day of Jummah.
(Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah in his sahih)
And for men, they can put on their favorite perfume.
4. Recite Takbir
Even though some Sheikhs denounced the idea of reciting Takbir in unison because it wasn’t practiced in that manner during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, make sure you recite Takbir with the intention of saying it as a Dhikr that is repeated during Eid.
5. Pay Your Zakat al-Fitr
In case you haven’t already, make sure you pay your zakat al-Fitr before Eid Prayer. If you’re wondering where you can donate, we’ve compiled 10 Muslim projects that you can donate to from the comfort of your home!
6. Walk to the mosque
The prophet ﷺ encouraged us to walk our way to our mosques during Eid.
Ali (RA) said: “From the Sunnah is to leave to the Eid Prayer walking.”
(Reported by Tirmidhi)
So, if you’re looking for an easy way to get ample rewards, go to the mosque on foot. Because then, with each footstep, you get a good deed recorded — and a good deed is multiplied by 10 or more to whoever Allah wills!
7. Perform Eid Prayer
Eid Prayer is greatly rewarded and is the most prominent aspect of Eid. Be sure to perform Eid Prayer — whether you decided to perform it in congregation at the mosque or at home!
The Prophet said the Takbir in the first rak’ah seven times before the recitation and in the last rak’ah, five times before the recitation.
(At-Tirmidhi, no. 536, declared sahih by Al-Albani)
Once Being Done With Eid Prayer
8. Listen to the Khutbah
Once you’re done with praying, don’t leave just yet! Sit for a while and listen to your Imam’s Khutbah on that special occasion. It will definitely move you and give you a beautiful start to your day!
Also, Eid Prayer doesn’t include any extra sunnah prayers.
The Prophet ﷺ came out on the day of Eid and prayed two rak’ahs (Eid Prayer) and he did not pray anything before it or after it.
(Reported by Ibn Abbas in Bukhari and Muslim)
9. Go Home From a Different Route
Even though there have been different opinions on why the Prophet ﷺ used to take different routes on Eid, we follow his example because we want to keep his sunnah alive — especially when it’s a beautiful occasion like Eid al-Fitr.
Jaabir Ibn Abdallah (RA) said: “The Prophet ﷺ would take different routes on the day of Eid.”
(Al-Bukhari)
10. Spend Some Quality Time With Your Loved Ones
Eid al-Fitr is a beautiful occasion to celebrate among our loved ones! Be sure to surround yourself with your family and friends, and have some fun together.
Aisha (RA) said: “Abu Bakr entered our home (on the day of Eid) and there were two girls from the Ansar with me, singing about the day of Bu’ath.” Abu Bakr said: “The sounds of Shaytan in the house of the Prophet?” However, the Prophet ﷺ said: “O Abu Bakr, every people has its celebration and this is our celebration.”
(Ibn Majah, no. 1898)
Eid al-Fitr is a day of joy for all Muslims from all walks of life. No matter your age, identity, culture, or country of residence, we all wish you a blessed Eid, and we hope you enjoy that holiday the way the Prophet ﷺ enjoyed it.
We’re curious to know how your first day of eid has been going! Feel free to slide to our DMs @muslimgirl on Instagram and let us know!