How to offer Eid prayer during Covid-induced curfew, lockdown
The curfew or lockdown has been extended due to the corona epidemic till May 17 in Delhi, writes Dr Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi.
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It means like the last year, this year too there will be no large gatherings in Eid Gahs or mosques for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.
First of all, we need to learn the essential Mas’alas of Eid-ul-Fitr. Islam has allowed to rejoice and celebrate Eid within the prescribed limit. It is forbidden to observe fast on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, as the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) confirms it.
Taking bath, using Miswak, putting on the best available clothes, applying perfume, taking a sweet breakfast like dates or any other sweet dish before Salat-ul-Fitr, paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr before leaving for Salah, using separate routes to and from the praying ground, saying takbir (اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَر، اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَر،لَا اِلہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہ، وَاللّٰہُ اَکْبَر، اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَر، وَلِلّٰہِ الْحَمْد) are among the acts of Sunnah for this day.
Eid prayers are offered in Eid Gahs and mosques. So, if it is permissible to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in mosque or Eidgah, then offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in the mosque or Eidgah itself otherwise, in the areas where there is a lockdown or curfew due to corona, Eid prayer can also be offered in homes like Friday prayer, for which three people besides the Imam are sufficient.
It is better to offer Eid prayers at home than not offering it at all. Some Ulama who disagreed on Friday prayers at home, they should at least allow offering Eid prayer at home in a lockdown or curfew, so that Muslims are not disappointed at this time and they can at least satisfy themselves to some extent by offering Eid prayer at home.
Eid-ul-fitr prayer: The Eid ul Fitr pray is compulsory (wajib). It has two Rak’ahs which are to be performed in congregation as a token of thank and gratitude. The time of Eid ul-Fitr prayer commences after the rising of the sun, which lasts until Zawal, but it is not appropriate to delay too much. There are six extra Takbeer in Eid-ul-Fitr.
The jurists differ regarding the number of these extra Takbeer. But the Muslim Ummah agreed that more or less number of extra Takbeer does not make salah invalid. Abu Hanifa, the famous jurist and expert of Hadeeth, who was born in 80 Hijri, is of the opinion of six extra Takbeer.
No Adhan and Iqamah for Eid prayer: Both Adhan and Iqamah are called for Friday prayer. But there is no adhan or iqamah for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha prayers.
The conditions which apply for Friday prayer, the same also apply for Eid prayer, those on whom Friday prayer is compulsory is also Eid prayer is compulsory for them. Where Friday prayer is permissible, Eid prayers is also permissible. Just as Friday prayer can be offered in different places, Eid prayer can also be offered in different places in the same city and also in different homes in curfew or lockdown situation. Women can also participate in Eid prayer performed at home.
How to offer Eid prayer: Make niyyah of prayer first. The niyyah actually is the name of intention within the heart. It is better to say with tongues that I am going to perform the obligatory Eid prayer with six additional takbeers. Then tie your hands saying Allah u Akbar and read Subhanak Allah … And then raise both hands up to the ears like Takbir Tahrimah and say Allahu Akbar three times, release your hands after two Takbirs and tie your hands after the third Takbir. After tying hands, the Imam should recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any Surah. The followers should listen to the recitation in silence. Then complete the first rak’ah like a normal prayer.
In the second rak’ah, the Imam should first recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any Surah. The followers should listen to the recitation in silence. After the recitation is completed, raise both hands up to the ears and say Takbir three times. Then bow down saying Allah u Akbar and complete the rest of the prayer like normal prayers. You can ask for dua after Eid prayer but dua is not masnun after khutbah.
Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon: It is Sunnah that the Imam should deliver the sermon after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. People who keep talking during the sermon or leave the sermon are actually are committing the wrong. A short prayer should be offered and a short sermon should be delivered in the curfew or lockdown.
The sermon can also be read by looking into a booklet. If no one can deliver a sermon in any place, then the Eid prayer will be performed even without the sermon, because the sermon of Eid is Sunnah and not obligatory. Short surahs of the Holy Quran can also be recited in the sermon. Two sermons should be given like on Friday. Between the two sermons, the Imam should sit on a stair or chair for a while.
If a person is not able to offer Eid prayer due to curfew or lockdown, then he should perform four rak’ats (2 + 2) of Chasht. It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood RA that whoever misses the Eid prayer, he should perform four rak’ahs. Some scholars have disagreed with this but it is a good alternative for those who cannot offer Eid prayer in curfew or lockdown.
Greeting of Eid after Eid prayer: Hugging or shaking hands after Eid prayer is not a Sunnah of Eid, and there is an outbreak of coronavirus these days, so avoid hugging or shaking hands after Eid prayer. Because taking precautionary measures is not against Islamic law.
(The author is a senior alumnus of Jamia Millia Islami and Islamic scholar)
