In this article, we will talk about the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, and we will understand the difference between it and Eid al-Adha.
What is Eid called in Egypt?
Eid Mubarak,” means “Blessed festival”. It is a common phrase that you will hear when you visit Egypt on Eid Al-Fitr. To respond to it you will just say “Khair Mubarak”.
The eid meaning in English is “festival” or “feast”. In Islam, there are two major Eids which are Eid al-Fitr which comes after Ramadan the month of reading the Quran and doing good deeds. and Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate with your friends and family. The second Eid is Eid al-Adha which is the larger Eid, it is a four-day festival.
How do Egyptians celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr:
During Eid al-Fitr, people celebrate with each other by saying “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Eid”. They tend to prepare sweet dishes at home like Maamoul, and cookies. Give candy and gifts to kids and the ones in need. Also, Muslims tend to seek forgiveness and Allah’s mercy.
In Egypt, Eid Al-Fitr is a national holiday, meaning no work or school. People gather together with their family, friends, and neighbors.
Also, there is this unique tradition where each family gathers at the end of Ramadan to make Kahk, Petit four, Ghoriba, and many other Eid cookies. They also wear new clothes and visit each other to celebrate together.
That’s not all, people celebrate Eid Al-Fitr by praying Salat Al-Eid, they all gather at the mosques or open spaces, but normally at open spaces. They pray two Rakat then they ask Allah for forgiveness.
Eid al-Adha:
Eid al-Adha comes at the end of the Hajj (capable Muslims go to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to do the pilgrimage.
This Eid tells us the story of how Allah commanded the prophet, Ibrahim, to sacrifice his son Ismail to test his faith. And how Ibrahim informed his son Ismail. They both accepted Allah’s command and as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah intervenes and a ram is sacrificed in place of Ismail. So, during this Eid Muslims sacrifice animals in remembrance of this story.
How to say Eid Mubarak in Egyptian Arabic?
There is more than one way to say Eid Mubarak in Egyptian Arabic and wish a happy Eid. For instance, you could say any of the following:
Eid Mubarak (عيد مبارك)
Yen’ad alaikum bel-sahha wa al-saleme (ينعاد عليكم بالصحة والسلامة)
Kol ‘am wa anta/i bikhair (كل عام وأنت بخير)
Eid fitr saeed (عيد فطر سعيد)
Kol sana wa anta tayeb (كل سنه وأنت طيب)
What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid meaning in English is “festival” or “feast”. In Islam, there are two major Eids which are Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast) which comes after Ramadan the month of reading the Quran and doing good deeds. Eid al-Fitr in Egypt marks the end of Ramadan (the month of fasting) and it is the first three days of Shawwal (the 10th month of the Islamic calendar)
Then comes Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). During this festival, the Muslims who are capable of buying sheep, goats, camels, or cows to sacrifice, do so. They buy what they can afford and divide the flesh of the animal among themselves, the poor, and friends and neighbors. Also, during this Eid people tend to visit their friends and family.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate with your friends and family. The second Eid is Eid al-Adha which is the larger Eid, it is a four-day festival.
What are the important features of Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr comes after Ramadan the month of reading the holy Quran and doing good deeds. It is a three-day festival and there are many Eid gift ideas to celebrate it with your friends and family. When you visit Egypt on Eid the streets will be crowded with people and the streets will be filled with the sweet smell of Kahk and other amazing Eid cookies. You will experience a whole new world.
- Sunnah of Eid ul Fitr:
One of the nights that no dua is rejected is the night before Eid, the prophet peace and blessing be upon him said:
‘There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr, and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha)’. (As-Suyuti).
Before you go to the Eid salat you should eat something, and it is a sunnah to eat an odd number of dates. As the prophet’s peace and blessing be upon him used to eat an odd number of dates before praying the Eid salat.
It is sunnah to take a shower and wear your best clothes before going to the eid prayer, and also to apply perfume.
- Takbeer of eid ul fitr:
On your way to the salat recite the takbeer, which is: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaaha illa-llaah, wa-llaahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li-llaahil hamd.
This means “God is the Greatest, there is none worthy of worship besides God and to God belongs all praise”.
Also, you should know that there is no nafl prayer offered before or after the prayer. Abbas said, ‘The Prophet (saw) went out to the place of prayer on the Day of Fitr and prayed two raka’ah of Eid prayer, not praying before or after them’. [Bukhari]
Make the niyyah (intention) before you start praying. The intention comes from the heart you don’t have to say it.
Dua of Eid al-Fitr
The eid dua is recited as follows:
اللَّهُ اكْبَرُ ٱللَّهُ اكْبَرُ
allahu akbar allahu akbar
Allah is Great. Allah is Great.
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
la ilaha illa allahu
There is no god save Allah.
وَٱللَّهُ اكْبَر ُاللَّهُ اكْبَرُ
wallahu akbar allahu akbar
And Allah is Great.Allah is Great.
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ
wa lillahi alhamd
All praise be to Allah.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَانَا
alhamdu lillahi `ala ma hadana
All praise be to Allah for He has shown us the Right Path.
وَلَهُ ٱلشُّكْرُ عَلَىٰ مَا اوْلانَا
wa lahu alshshukru `ala ma awlana
All thanks are to Him for that which He has conferred upon us.
What are Eid traditions in Egypt?
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major Eids celebrated in Egypt and by Muslims all over the world. it is the Eid of breaking the fast of Ramadan, and it is called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”. The second Eid celebrated by Muslims is Eid al-Adha “Festival of the Sacrifice.” The first Eid is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. The second Eid is a celebration of the sacrifice of a sheep in place of the Prophet Ishmael.
Among the Eid traditions in Egypt is the family gathering, eating delicious Kahk and cookies. Kahk could be filled with Nut and covered with sugar powder or it could be made without nut. On the first day of the celebration of Eid al Fitr in Egypt, Muslims eat an odd number of dates before gathering for Eid prayer in a praying place or mosque.
It is a custom and an Eid tradition in Egypt to give Eidyah to children, which is in the form of money. And people all around Egypt congratulate one another on Eid al-Fitr by saying “Eid Mubarak!” to each other which means “blessed Eid!”.
What is the takbir of Eid al-Fitr?
Takbir of Eid Ul-Fitr is as follows:
“Allahu akbaru kabira, Allahu akbaru kabira, Allahu akbar wa ajallu, Allahu akbar wa Lillah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great indeed, Allah is Most Great indeed, Allah is most Great and Glorified, Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).” (al-Irwa, 3/126)
What is the sunnah of Eid Al-Fitr?
As Muslims we follow the sunnah of our beloved prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and here is the sunnah of the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr followed in Egypt.
1. Reciting Takbir Al-Eid.
It is recommended that a sunnah recite Eid Takbir when coming out of your house for Eid prayer until the imam comes out for prayer. Here is how to recite the Takbir:
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah).
You can also say Allahu akbar three times as follows:
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah).
‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami said, “They emphasized it more on the day of al-Fitr than the day of al-Adha.”. Waki’ said, this refers to the Takbir.” (Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/122)
Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a sahih isnad that al-Zuhri said: “The people used to recite Takbir on ‘Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out, they fell silent, and when he said takbir they said takbir.” (Irwa al-Ghalil, 1/121)
Al-Walid ibn Muslim said: “I asked al-Awza’i and Malik ibn Anas about saying Takbir out loud on the two ‘Eids. They said, Yes, ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers).”
Al-Daraqutni and others narrated that: “On the morning of ‘Eid al-Fitr and ‘Eid al-Adha, Ibn ‘Umar would strive hard in reciting takbir until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbir until the imam came out.”
Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say, “The people used to recite takbir from the time they came out of their houses until the imam came in.”
Allah said in the Holy Quran:
“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah (i.e. to say Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal) for having guided you…” [al-Baqarah 2:185].
2. Odd number of dates.
A form of celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in Egypt is eating an odd number of dates before going out for Eid prayer. Why? Because it is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as he used to eat an odd number of dates before leaving for prayer. However, if you don’t have any dates in the house, it is permissible to eat anything else.
Narrated by al-Bukhari from Anas ibn Malik, who said that: “the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of ‘Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number.” [Al-Bukhari, 953.]
3. Wear new clothes.
Another form of the celebration of Eid Al Fitr in Egypt is wearing new clothes or the best clothes you have.
Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnad from Naafi that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his finest clothes on the two Eids.
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two ‘Eids and on Fridays.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756)
4. Putting on perfume.
It is a sunnah for men to put on a good perfume when going for Eid prayer. As it was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to put on perfume on the day of al-Fitr. [Ahkaam al-‘Eidayn by al-Firyaabi (p. 83)]
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Maalik said: I heard the scholars describing it as mustahabb (encouraged) to adorn oneself and put on perfume on every Eid.”
5. Do a ghusl.
Scholars say that it is Mustahab to perform Ghusl before the Eid prayer as Muslims in the past used to do so. Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that: “the Muslims unanimously agreed that it is recommended to do ghusl for ‘Eid prayer.”
“A man asked ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) about bathing and he said: Bathe every day if you wish. He said: No, (I mean) bathing in the sense of ghusl (as an act of worship). He said: (Do ghusl) on Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), and the day of al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr).” [Narrated by ash-Shaafa‘i in his Musnad (p. 385); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (1/176).]
6. Pray the Eid prayer.
Praying Eid prayer in the Mosques or praying places is another tradition of the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in Egypt. All Muslims gather and pray the Eid prayer together.
7. Giving Eid al-Fitr Zakat.
Muslims give out Zakat Eid al Fitr as a way of celebrating Eid and the person can give it one or two days before Eid.
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “They used to give it one or two days before (Eid) al-Fitr.”
It is said in a hadith that it should be given before the Eid prayer so as to count as a Zakat. Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated: “Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is Zakat al-Fitr, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.”
8. congratulating one another.
Another form of the celebration of Eid ul Fitr in Egypt is congratulating one another and wishing a happy Eid. You could congratulate your friends and family by saying “Taqabbala Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “‘Eid Mubarak”.
Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “When the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of ‘Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Ibn Hajar said, its isnad is hasan. (Al-Fath, 2/446)
Maalik (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: “Is it makrooh for a man to say to his brother, when he has completed the Eid prayer,“Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minka wa ghafar Allahu lana wa laka (May Allah accept it from us and from you; may Allah forgive us and you)” and for his brother to respond in like manner? He said: That is not makrooh.” [Al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ (1/322)]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“With regard to congratulating one another on the Day of Eid, saying to one another when they meet after the Eid prayer, “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept it from us and from you)” or “Ahaalahu Allahu ‘alayka (May Allah cause you to live to see another Eid)” and the like, it was narrated from a number of the Sahaabah that they used to do that. The imams, such as Ahmad and others, granted concessions allowing that, but Ahmad said: I do not initiate such congratulations with anyone, but if someone congratulates me first, then I respond. That is because returning a greeting is obligatory.
As for initiating the greeting or congratulations (on Eid), that is not a Sunnah that is enjoined, but it is not something that is prohibited either. So whoever does that has a precedent and whoever refrains from doing that also has a precedent.” [Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa (24/253)]
9. Go to Eid prayer and return from a different route.
It is a Sunnah to go to Eid prayer from one route and return from a different one. As our beloved prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do.
10. Visiting one another
Another form of the celebration of Eid al Fitr in Egypt is visiting one’s friends and family, mainly this is done on the first day of Eid.
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “On the day of Eid, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to come back via a different route.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (943).]
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said concerning the ruling: “It was said that the wisdom behind that was so that he might visit his relatives, both living and dead; and it was said that it was in order to uphold ties of kinship.” [Fath al-Baari (2/473)]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Something else that is done on this Eid is the exchange of gifts, in other words, they make food and invite one another, and they get together and celebrate. There is nothing wrong with this custom because these are the days of Eid. Even Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), when he entered the house of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him – and he narrated the same hadith. This indicates that one of the ways in which Islam makes things easy for people – praise be to Allah – is that it prescribes for them to express joy and happiness on the days of Eid.” [Majmoo‘ Fataawa ash-Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen (16/276).]
In al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (14/166) it says: “This confirms the idea that it is prescribed to be generous to one’s family and children during the days of Eid, with different kinds of things that will bring them pleasure and joy, and allow the body to relax after the effort of worship. Expressing joy on the days of Eid is one of the symbols of this religion, and playing on the days of the two Eids is permissible, both in the mosque and elsewhere, if it is done along the lines mentioned in the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the Abyssinians playing with weapons.”
