5 Sunnah practises for Eid al-Adha

Adam Khan

29 June 2022

5 Sunnah practises for Eid al-Adha

Whilst Eid al-Adha is all about remembering the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim through togetherness, doing Qurbani and paying Zakat, there are other practises we can implement when it comes to celebrating. Here are 5 Sunnah practises for Eid al-Adha.

Eat an odd number of dates

Following in the Messenger’s footsteps (pbuh), he used to eat an odd number of dates. In a Hadith, it was narrated that

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number.’
Al-Bukhaari, 953

This is also to emphasise the fact that fasting is not permissible on Eid day.

Do ghusl before the Eid prayer

It was narrated in a Saheeh Hadith in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that;

Abd-Allaah ibn stated ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning.’
Al-Muwatta 428

Al- Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that Muslims unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to do ghusl for Eid prayer.

The reason why it is mustahabb is the same reason for doing ghusl before Jumu’ah and other public gatherings.

Put on attar

For those who are unfamiliar with it, Attar is a special fragrance for men. The beloved Prophet (pbuh) applied Attar on Eid occasions. Using Attar (non-alcoholic perfume) is a Sunnah and is also highly recommended for men as it creates a pleasant aura.

Do takbeer on eid prayer

It is highly suggested to echo the takbeer when welcoming Eid from the night before to the morning of, before doing the Eid prayer. Know that the benefits of takbeer can be felt not just for ourselves, but for those who echo or others who hear it.

In a narration, it is mentioned,

كَانَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الفِطْرِ فَيُكَبِّر حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ المُصَلَّى وَحَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الصَّلاَةَ فَإِذَا قَضَى الصَّلاَةَ ؛ قَطَعَ التَّكْبِيْر
“The Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam usually went out to pray on the Eid al-Fitr, then he did takbeer until he was in the field and until the prayer was going to be held. When the prayer was going to be held, he stopped from doing takbeer.”
Released in as Silsilah Ash Shahihah no. 171, said by Sheikh Al Albani in Sahih

In another narration it’s stated

On the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ibn ‘Umar would strive hard in reciting takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbeer until the imam came out.
Al-Daaraqutni and others

Dress in nice clean clothes

Anas Ra said,

“On the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the Prophet Saw ordered us to wear the best clothes that we had and to wear the best fragrances that are on us, and to sacrifice with the fattest animals that we had.”
Hadith Al-Hakim