The nights of both Eids, i.e. the nights preceding the Days of Eid, are auspicious occasions which should be observed with reverence and worship.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said that these nights are great occasions of Ibadat and of gaining the proximity and special Mercy of Allah Ta'ala. These holy nights, should therefore not be allowed to pass by in idleness.

Full advantage should be taken of these opportunities by offering obedience and Ibadat unto Allah Ta'ala to the best of our abilities. Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness for sins), Tilaawat (reciting the Quran), Nafl Salaah, Durood, etc. should be profusely offered on these holy nights.

Among the rewards which will be obtained as a result of observing the sanctity of these glorious Eid Nights, the greatest reward is the tiding conveyed to us by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) in the Hadith:

"The heart of the person who remains awake (in prayer) during the night of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adhaa will not die on the Day when hearts will be dead, (i.e. The Day of Qiyaamah)." (Tibrani)

SUNNAHS OF EID

There are many Sunnah's advocated by the Prophet Regarding Eid:

• To rise as early as possible (in fact much of this night should be spent in Ibaadah).
• To make Ghusl.
• To use the Miswaak (Brush teeth).
• To apply Itr (Halaal, non-alcoholic perfume).
• To wear one's best clothes, ensuring that it conforms with Shariáh.
• To eat something sweet (such as dates) before departing for Eid Salaah.
• To got to the location of Eid Jamaah as early as possible.
• To perform 'Sadaqatul Fitr' before leaving.
• To perform Eid Salaah in a special place rather than the Mosque. There is no harm for aged and the sick to perform their Eid Salaat in the Mosque. Rain is also an excuse for performing Eid Salaat in the Masjidosque choose a separate route when returning from the Eid Gah.
• To walk to the place Eid Jamaah will be performed. However, there is no harm in using any means of conveyance if it is distant.
• To recite the Takbeer while walking to it.

SOME RULES REGARDING EID SALAAH

A person who joins the Eid Salaah after the Imam has already recited the Eid Takbeers should recite the Takbeers immediately upon entering the Salaah.

However, If he enters the Salaat when the Imam is about to go into Ruku and he (the latecomer) fears that he will not he able to join the Imaam in the Ruku if he stands and recites the Takbeers.He should instead recite the Takbeers in the Ruku, and forgo the Tasbeeh of the Ruku.

But, while reciting the Takbeers in the Ruku hands should not be raised as is done when reciting the Takbeer when in Qiyaam (the standing posture of Salaat).

If the Imaam emerges from the Ruku and the latecomer has not yet completed the recitation of his Takbeers which he had missed then he should leave off the balance of the Takbeers and join the Imam in emerging from the Ruku. In this case the balance of the Takbeers which he could not complete are waived.

If someone missed a Rakaah of the Eid Salaat he should fulfil it as follows: After the Imam terminates the Salaat with the Salaams he (the one who missed the Rakaat) should rise and perform one Rakaat on his own, reciting Qiraat, the Takbeers should be recited.

The rest of the Raka'ah is then completed as usual.

EID SALAAH FORMULA

The Eid Salaah consists of two Rakaahs and two Khutbas, and is very much like the Jummu'ah Salaat with a few variations. During Jummu'ah Salaah the Khutba precedes the two Rakaats and on Eid day it is in reverse.

First comes the two Rakaats of prayer and then the two Khutbas. On the best authority of the Hanafi Imams (R.A.), there are six additional Takbeers (Allah-u-Akbar) for the Eid Salaats. 3 Takbeers in the first Rakaah and 3 Takbeers in the second.

FIRST RAKAAH

After everybody has made 'Niyyah' (intention), the Imam recites the 'Takbeer-E-Tahreema', (Allah-u-Akbar) and starts the Eid Salaah. Everybody raise their hands to their earlobes and folds them under their navel.

Then the imam recites three Takbeers one after the other with brief intervals. (Allah-u-Akbar). We raise our hands and drop them to our sides after the 1st and 2nd Takbeers and after the 3rd Takbeer we place our hands below our navel.

The Imam then recites the Surah Fatiha and follows it with any passage from the Quraan. We then proceed into Rukoo and sujjood and return for the second Rakaah.

SECOND RAKAAH

The Imam recites the Surah Fatiha and a passage from the Quraan and is now ready for the Rukoo. At this stage just before going into the Rukoo, he recites the remaining 3 Takbeers with brief intervals. We drop our hands each time to our sides.

When the Imam recites the 4th Takbeer, we go into Rukoo and then into Sajda. After the Thashahhud and Salaam, remain seated and wait for the Imaam to deliver the Khutbahs.

THE KHUTBAH FORMULA

After the two Rakaats, the Imam rises to deliver his Khutba. It is Sunnah for the Imam to start his first Khutba with 9 Takbeers and the second with 7 Takbeers.

He reminds the Muslims of their duties towards Allah, towards themselves and their fellow - men. Eid is a day of happiness and joy. This cannot be fully appreciated if animosity, hatred, old grudges and bygones are left to remain in our hearts.