Eid-ul-Fitr in Islam
Every religion and nation, has certain days on which they celebrate in commemoration of some God or a famous incident in their history .
Normally, this merry-making is manifested by the wearing of new clothing and feasting. There is hardly a group of people or religion who do not have festivals to celebrate. From this we gauge that celebration is a natural characteristic of man. Likewise, Allah Ta'ala, has also given us two days to commemorate our happiness. When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) came to Medina, the people celebrated two days. He asked them what these days were. They replied that before the advent of Islam, they celebrated these two days (and were carrying on that tradition). Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam ) said that Allahu Ta'ala had given them, in exchange, two days better than these. The Eidul Fitr and the Eidul Adha.
Celebration in Islam, is not like other religions where dancing, drinking and feasting is the order of the day. The Islamic concept of celebration is "Remembrance of Allah" and also to eat and to wear the best. At the same time, we should see that our fellow Muslims also have sufficient to eat and dress for this auspicious day. That is why Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam ) has ordered us to discharge our Sadaqatul-Fitr before going for the Eid Namaaz, so that the needy mans thoughts must not be occupied, at the time of Namaaz, by the anxiety of what he and his family is going to eat on this day.
The Eid Namaaz differs in respect to other Namaazes and Juma in that it has six extra Takbirs (Allahu-Akbur), which are Wajib (compulsory) and the Khutba (Sermon) is delivered after the Namaaz. At the beginning of the Namaaz, the Imaam recites Allahu-Akbar, Thana then the three additional Takbirs. At every Takbir, raise the hands and lower to the sides. Fold the hands at the third Takbir. The Imaam will complete the first 'Rakaat as usual, then will continue with the second Rakaat. The extra Takbirs are recited in the second Rakaat, after Sura Fatiha and a Sura. At the fourth Takbir, go into Ruku, then complete the Namaaz as usual. The Imaam will then recite the Khutba and after that, the congregation will disperse to their homes.
Ibn Abbas (R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam ) performed two Rakaah's Eid Namaaz and he did not perform any Salaat, before or after, the Eid Namaaz.
(BUKHARI-MUSLIM)
Buraida (R.A.) relates that for the Eid-ul-Fitr Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to eat before Namaaz, and for the Eid-ul-Adha, he used to eat after namaaz.
