Zakatul Fitr and the etiquettes of celebrating Eid

Zakatul Fitr

Zakatul Fitr is 2.5 kilograms of rice, wheat or the like or its value in money. This amount is prescribed for paying Zakat for one person only. If a person has children who are dependents, the same amount has to be paid on behalf of each one of them separately. The following points must be remembered concerning the payment of Zakatul Fitr:

1. Zakatul Fitr is obligatory upon each adult male or female separately, and the relevant adult person himself is responsible to pay it. The husband is not required to pay Zakatul Fitr on behalf of his wife nor is the wife required to pay it on behalf of her husband. Similarly, a father is not bound to pay Zakatul Fitr on behalf of his adult children or vice-versa. However, if the head of the family, by his own free will, wishes to pay Zakatul Fitr for each one of the members of his family, he should seek their authorization for that purpose.
2. It is a Sunnah to pay Zakatul Fitr  before performing Eid prayer. It can also be paid before the Eid day, but it is not advisable to delay it up to the performance oftheEid prayer. However, if a person has failed to pay it on its proper time he should pay it as soon as possible whereby the obligation will stand discharged.
3. Zakatul Fitr is not necessary on behalf of a child who was born after the break of dawn on the day of Eid, nor is it necessary to pay Zakatul Fitr on behalf of a person who dies before the dawn of the Eid day.
4. Zakatul Fitr should be paid only to a person who is entitled to receive zakat.

Before Going to Eid Prayer

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

1. To wake up to pray Fajr prayer and prepare yourself to Eid Prayer.
2. To clean your teeth.
3. To take a bath.
4. To put on the best available clothing.
5. To put a perfume.
6. To eat something, preferably dates, before Eid prayer.
7. To recite the following while going to Eid prayer and while waiting for the prayer:

“Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi al-Hamd“

The etiquettes of Eid Prayer

1. Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory) on every male Muslim.
2. Eid prayer can be performed after the sun.
3. It is preferable that the Eid prayer is performed at an open field and not in a mosque. However, if, it is difficult for any reason to perform it in an open field, it can also be performed in a large mosque.
4. There is no SunnahSalatbefore or after Eid prayer.
5. Eid prayer has neither an Azan nor an Eqamah.

Eid al-Fitr Sermon (Khutbah)

Khutbah is a Sunnah for Eid prayer and is delivered after the prayer. Listening to the khutbah of Eid prayer is not obligatory.

Fasting six days in the Month of Shawwal

It is commendable to fast six days in the month of Shawwal. The Prophet (PBUH), stated:

“Whoever completes fasts of Ramadan then adds to them the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the reward of fasting for the whole year” (Muslim).