EID-UL FITR
What is Eid-ul Fitr?
Eid-ul-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast. It signals the end of Ramadan, the 29/30-day month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide. It is the only day of Shawwal in which fasting is prohibited, as it is earmarked for celebrations following a month-long fasting period.
The festival falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar, which is the succeeding month to Ramadan.
RITES OF EID-UL FITR
- Pay zakatul-fitr before the Eid prayers
- Take a ritual bath and use perfume (perfume use is only for men)
- Wear your finest clothes
- Eat before the Eid prayer
- Chant the Takbir before the Eid prayers (Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar lā ilāha illā-llāh Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar walillāhi l-ḥamd)
- Perform the Eid prayer in congregation. The prayer consists of two rakahs with seven Takbirs in the first rakah and five Takbirs in the second rakah. It may be performed from the time the sun comes up fully to the time of dhuhr prayers. Lekki Central Mosque observes the Eid prayers on its grounds (Hakeem Dickson Link Road, Lekki Phase One, Lagos Nigeria). The prayers start at 9am prompt.
- Listen to the khutbah; however, this is a Sunnah and not obligatory. Abdullah Ibn As-Sa’ib (radi Allahu anhu) said: I prayed the Eid prayer with the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and when he finished the prayer He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “We will be delivering a Khut’ba. Whoever wishes to stay for the Khut’ba may stay. Whoever would like to leave may leave.”
- Lekki Central Mosque annually hosts an Eid Fun Fair on 2nd Shawwal for children and families to have fun after the successful completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan. The fun fair is usually held on the Lekki Central Mosque grounds, and has lots of fun activities for children and adults alike. Please see our gallery for pictures of past fun fairs.
