Central Khutbah: “The Sunnahs of Eid – Guardians of the Believer’s Identity”

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who has allowed us to witness and fast the month of Ramadan, to fill it with prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, supplications, and charity, and to welcome with joy the day of Eid al-Fitr. May peace and blessings be upon His Prophet, his noble family, his companions, and all those who follow him in goodness until the Day of Judgment.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today, we celebrate Eid al-Fitr – a day of reward and joy. It is a day when believers express their gratitude to Allah for His help in worship, a day when hearts unite, forgiveness is sought, and love is strengthened. Eid has an outward beauty but also carries a profound spiritual message, and Islam teaches us to observe these festive days in the spirit of the Sunnah of the Prophet.

One of the first recommended acts on this day is to perform the ritual bath (ghusl) before the Eid prayer. Anas ibn Malik reported: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to bathe on the day of Eid.” (Ibn Majah)

Next, the believer should wear their best clothes, apply perfume if they are a man, and prepare themselves with dignity and joy. Ibn Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah would wear his finest clothes on the day of Eid.” (Bayhaqi)

It is also recommended to eat something before leaving for the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Anas ibn Malik reported: “The Prophet would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr without eating a few dates, in an odd number.” (Bukhari)

On the way to the place of prayer, it is recommended to recite the takbirs, glorifying Allah with these words:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi-l-hamd.

These takbirs are recited aloud, from sunrise until the beginning of the Eid prayer, as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of guidance and the ability to fast.

It is also a Sunnah to walk to the Eid prayer if possible and to take a different route when returning. Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: “The Messenger of Allah, on the day of Eid, would take one route when going and another when returning.” (Bukhari)

After the Eid prayer and sermon, the companions of the Prophet would congratulate one another by saying: “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” – “May Allah accept [our deeds] from us and from you.” (Ibn Hajar mentioned that this practice was common among the companions and that the narration is authentic.)

Eid is a day of smiles, visits, reconciliation, and generosity. It is a time to visit family, neighbors, the sick, and those who are alone, and to share with them the joy of the occasion. May our words be kind, our hearts open, and our hands generous. The one who has learned patience, perseverance, and sincerity during Ramadan must now show the fruits of these lessons through good relationships and benevolent communication.

We ask Allah to accept our fasts, prayers, supplications, and charity. May He grant us forgiveness, a blessed ending, and a life filled with obedience to Him. May He keep us firm on the straight path and reunite us with our loved ones in Paradise.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on March 28, 2025, at the “Association Islamique Ihsan” in Dudelange)