যিলহজ ও দুই ঈদ

No days are more beloved to Allah for righteous deeds than these — not even striving in His path, save one who goes out with himself and his wealth and returns with neither.

Fast the first nine, or as many as you can. The ninth is the most emphasised.

Say takbīr, tahlīl and taḥmīd abundantly and aloud, in the markets and the streets.

Give charity daily, however little.

Read the Qur’ān with a fixed daily portion.

Pray the night prayer, and guard the sunan of the day.

Settle what is between you and others — debts, and severed ties of kinship.

If you intend to sacrifice: from the sighting of the new moon until the animal is slaughtered, take nothing from your hair, nails or skin.

The ninth of Dhul-Ḥijjah. Its fast expiates the year before it and the year after it.

For those not in ‘Arafah. The pilgrim standing there does not fast — the Prophet ﷺ stood that day not fasting, and drank milk in the people’s sight.

Fast by the local sighting where you live; differing from the pilgrims’ day is no fault.

A day of du‘ā above all others, whether fasting or not.

The day of ‘Īd al-Fiṭr.

The day of ‘Īd al-Aḍḥā — the tenth.

The days of tashrīq — the 11th, 12th and 13th, “days of eating, drinking and remembrance of Allah.”

The only exception: a pilgrim performing tamattu‘ who found no hady may fast the days of tashrīq, as recorded of Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Ā’ishah.

Said at any time, in any place, from the first night of Dhul-Ḥijjah until the sun sets on the 13th. Raised aloud by men, softly by women.

Said once after each obligatory prayer, immediately following the salām, from:

Fajr of the 9th → ‘Aṣr of the 13th

Ḥ · M · S · Ḥb all begin here.

Ḥ ends at ‘Aṣr of the 13th; S ends there also.

Twenty-three prayers in all. The pilgrim begins instead after Ẓuhr on the 10th, once the stoning is done.

Wājib per Ḥ on every resident of means; a confirmed sunnah per M, S and Ḥb. One animal suffices for a man and his household.

Sheep — 6 months · one person

Goat — 1 year · one person

Cow — 2 years · shared by seven

Camel — 5 years · shared by seven

Four defects disqualify: an obvious blindness, an evident illness, a clear lameness, and emaciation leaving no marrow.

After the ‘Īd prayer on the 10th until sunset on the 13th. Slaughtered before the prayer, it is meat for the family and no sacrifice at all.

Say Bismillāh, Allāhu akbar and, if you wish, Allāhumma hādhā minka wa laka. Divide it in three: your household, gifts to neighbours and family, and the poor. Sell nothing of it — not the meat, the hide, nor the wool — and pay the butcher separately.

Two rak‘ahs, prayed in congregation after the sun has risen the height of a spear and before it reaches its zenith. No adhān, no iqāmah, and no voluntary prayer before or after it in the place of prayer.

Ḥ — wājib on those obliged to pray Jumu‘ah.

Ḥb — farḍ kifāyah upon the community.

M, S — a confirmed sunnah, strongly urged.

Al-A‘lā in the first rak‘ah and al-Ghāshiyah in the second; or Qāf and al-Qamar. Recited aloud.

Delivered after the prayer, unlike Jumu‘ah, and it is not a condition of its validity. Listening to it is recommended, and one who leaves is not sinful.

Prayed in an open place outside the town where possible, as was his ﷺ practice — even the women and young girls were brought out, and those excused from prayer sat apart and witnessed the good.

The extra takbīrs within the prayer differ more than any other matter in the ‘Īd, and every form is sound. Follow your imam.

Three in the first rak‘ah after the opening du‘ā, before al-Fātiḥah. Three in the second after the recitation, just before bowing.

Six extra in the first, making seven with the opening takbīr. Five extra in the second. Both before the recitation.

Seven extra in the first, besides the opening takbīr. Five extra in the second. Both before al-Fātiḥah, pausing between each to praise Allah.

Six extra in the first, five in the second, both before the recitation, with the hands raised at each.

Bathe, and wear the best clothing you own.

Apply perfume — men only.

Go early, and walk if you are able.

Return home by a different route.

Say the takbīr aloud on the way.

Bring the whole household, children included.

‘Īd al-Fiṭr — eat before leaving: an odd number of dates.

‘Īd al-Aḍḥā — eat nothing until you return, and break the day with your sacrifice.