10 simple tips for a perfect Eid!

Keep reciting the Eid Takbir as much as you can wherever you go from the Maghreb of the last day of Ramadan till the Eid Prayer! Recite the takbir in the car, in the shopping malls, at home! Revive this Sunnah and truly feel the greatness of Islam.

2. Prepare your Eid outfits early!

May be too late now, but I hope you bought all your Eid clothes BEFORE Ramadan started! If not, don’t panic. Try to find something reasonable in your wardrobe and don’t stress yourself with late night shopping on the night before Eid.

If you’ve bought your Eid clothes early, then prepare it the night before and place everything you need in one place. (Last thing you need is the early morning rush before Eid prayer and forgetting where you’ve put your new shoes!)

3. Follow the Sunnah before the Eid P1rayer

The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr before proceeding to the Eid prayer:

Take a bath.

Put on your best available clothes.

Wear perfume (for the men).

Eat a sweet food, preferably dates, before the Eid prayer.

Recite the following Takbir while going to the ‘Eid prayer:

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd (Eid Takbir).

4. Increase your supplications

On this blessed day, ensure you make dua that Allah accepts all your good deeds and grants you another Ramadan. Thank Allah for blessing us with good food, clothes, families/friends, and safety. Also don’t forget the Ummah in your prayers; pray for Palestine, for the victims of natural disaster anywhere, and all those suffering in our Ummah.

5. Take a different route to/from the mosque

In a narration the Prophet used to take a different route on his way back from the Eid prayer. Changing lanes gives you the chance to spread the greetings of Salam to different people.There’s also a subtle meaning here when you come back with a different route; you’re coming back home after Eid a changed and better person inshaAllah.

6. Take a day off!

Yes, I am talking to the workaholics here. Eid is Eid, take a day off, you won’t get fired! (I hope :P). Best advice is to book your day off in advance. Explain to your employers that Eid is as important to you as Christmas (or any other festival they like) is to them. However, we don’t want to be accused of being unproductive nor all the Muslim staff going AWOL; so ask early, and the employer can arrange staff replacement or reduce your hours on the day inshaAllah.

7. Visit friends/neigbours/relatives

This is a great part of Eid. But first a few forgotten etiquettes:

Call before you visit (you don’t want to visit and find out they are not around)

Take a Gift (no matter how small) especially for the children.

Invite them to yours as well. (They’ve played host, now it’s your turn!)

For those who have made amends and established broken family relations during Ramadan, Eid is your opportunity to strengthen these new ties inshaAllah, so don’t miss out!

Also, for relatives living far, make sure you prepare a call list and call them one by one with Skype or international phone cards; they’d really appreciate your call.

8. Eat moderately

This is a big one to look after. We almost ruin our diets in the space of one day with Eid food. I know it’s hard, but try to limit the amount of food you have and stick to regular meals on the day. To help you, think ahead and the pains you’ll have by over-indulging during Eid day. You don’t want an Eid with a stomach ache now do you?

9. Stick to the good deeds

This is super important, and it’ll make sure that you continue with your good deeds after Ramadan inshaAllah. Make sure you stick to the good deeds after Eid from day 1; so Salah on time, Hijab on (if you’re new to Hijab), reading few pages of Quran, etc. You want to build these good deeds into your daily habits and get them to be part of your ‘new you’ from day one. If you let go on Eid day, it’ll be harder to pick them up again on the 2nd or 3rd day of Eid.

10. Exchange Gifts/Make Cards

Exchange gifts amongst family/friends and relatives; this can be small perfumes to beneficial household items. For family/friends that are far off from you, send a handwritten Eid card via post (instead of really boring E-Cards).

Hope you like all the tips! Have a happy and productive Eid!