Dhikr On Eid Al Fitr
There is no life in the heart except through the remembrance of Allah; a remembrance through which the heart finds peace and rest. Yet the remembrance of Allah manifests itself in many ways throughout our lives, and the day of Fitr is a day of celebration wherein we remember Allah by celebrating His Praises abundantly.
And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse throughout the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may succeed. (Qur’aan 62:10)
In fact Allah has linked all days of festivity and celebration with His remembrance, with His remembrance becoming an integral part of both celebration and worship. In the above verse Allah instructs us to remember Him often on Friday which is one of our days of celebration.
And when you have completed your rituals, remember Allah (Qur’aan 2:200)
And in the above verse He instructs us to remember Him on Eid Al Adhaa.
And that you Magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. (Qur’aan 2:185)
Similarly Eid Al Fitr is a day of celebration where we remember Allah abundantly, celebrating His Praises and Magnifying His Mention with Takbeerat (saying Allah Akbar). So the association between Dhikr of Allah and celebrating the days of festivity should be clear for all.
As for the manner of making Takbeer, then the following is the well known Takbeerat of Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood:
Allahu-Akbar Allahu-Akbar
(Allah is The Greatest Allah is The Greatest)
Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu
(There is no God but Allah)
Wallahu-Akbar Allahu- Akbar
(And Allah is The Greatest Allah is The Greatest)
Wa Lillaahil Hamd
(And to Allah is All Praise)
Naafi narrated that Ibn Umar would strive in making Takbeer until he came to the Musalla (the place of prayer), and he continued to make Takbeer until the Imaam came out. (sunan of daaraqutni)
And there are many narrations, including the above one, which show that the companions used to make Takbeer from their homes up until when the Imam came out to lead Eid prayer.
Narrated Umm Ateyyah, ‘We used to be ordered to come out on the days of Eid and even bring the virgin girls and menstruating women from their houses so that they might stand behind the men and say Takbeer along with them, and invoke Allah along with them, and hope for the blessings of that day, and for the purifications from sins.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
Women should also participate in making Takbeer along with the men. This is part of the Eid celebration and festivity, and they are an important part of this event. The etiquettes include the women gathering together behind the men and offering Takbeer.
And that you Magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. (Qur’aan 2:185)
Finally, we should know that, although the above verse describes the act of making Takbeer on Eid Al Fitr, Allah also mentions another important aspect of its utterance; namely the reason why we make Takbeer.
Indeed, we Magnify Allah for guiding us to Islam and as a means for thanking Him for such guidance. So when we are saying, ‘Allah Akbar Allah Akbar..,’ we should be thinking of Allah and thanking Him for guiding us to His Path. We should be reflecting on the essence, beauty and perfection of His religion and how He chose us and guided us to His worship. Such remembrance will only make our Dhikr more meaningful and enjoyable; a remembrance which comes from the heart.
Written by Kamillah Khan
