For Eid, in the Islamic concept, there are important etiquettes and Sunnahs that should be cared for and observed, and they are of two types:
1- General etiquettes
2- Specific etiquettes
General etiquettes
Among the general etiquettes of Eid are:
A- Starting the day of Eid with Takbeer and Tahleel: Eid is a ritual among Allah’s rituals that should be manifested and highlighted in the Islamic society, including the recommendation of Takbeer, Tahleel, and Tahmeed in the morning of Eid, gathering for prayer, and other acts and recommended deeds. It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, that he said:
زيّنوا العيدَين بالتهليل والتكبير والتحميد والتقديس
“Adorn your Eids with Tahleel, Takbeer, Tahmeed, and Tasbeeh”[1].
B- Spreading the spirit of affection and honor on Eid: There are many hadiths that urge the Muslim to care for others, be gentle in dealing with them, and encourage doing so, where the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said:
إنّ أحبَّكم إلى الله، الذين يألَفون ويُؤلَفُون، وإنّ أبغضكم إلى الله المشّاؤون بالنميمة، والمفرِّقون بين الإخوان
“The most beloved to Allah are those who are friendly and make friends, and the most detestable to Allah are those who walk with slander and separate between brothers”[2].
Eid is a precious opportunity to reinforce the culture of visiting, hospitality, and hosting, as it is a means of honoring the believer and bringing joy to his heart, regardless of whether one is the visitor or the visited, or the guest or the host. Therefore, it is necessary to honor the believer, and even the Muslim, by accepting his invitation, and not to limit attendance and participation to a specific social class. He, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said:
حقّ المسلمِ على المسلمِ خمسٌ: ردّ السلام، وعيادة المريض، واتّباع الجنائز، وإجابة الدعوة، وتشميتُ العاطس
“The rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim are five: returning greetings, visiting the sick, following funerals, accepting invitations, and blessing someone who sneezes”[3].
C- Meeting and visiting: Meeting and visiting among other Eid customs, develop beautiful humanitarian concepts, as they increase communication and intimate bonding within the society. There is strong encouragement for visiting for the sake of Allah and meeting brothers. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said:
مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ المؤْمِنَ إِلى مَنْزِلِهِ، لَا حَاجَةَ مِنْهُ إِلَيْهِ، كُتِبَ مِنْ زُوَّارِ اللهِ، وَكَانَ حَقِيقًا عَلَى اللهِ أَنْ يُكْرِمَ زَائِرَهُ
“Whoever visits his believing brother at his home, with no need from him, he will be recorded among the visitors of Allah, and it is incumbent upon Allah to honor his visitor”[4].
D- Adorning and beautifying: True, the joy and decoration of Eid are not for the Eid itself, but for what Eid carries of great meanings and concepts in Islam, manifested in the forgiveness of the sins of the pilgrim, acceptance of his pilgrimage and efforts… However, this does not contradict at all with showing spiritual decorations through Tahleel and Takbeer and material decorations by beautifying in clothing for adults and children. It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, that he said:
إنَّ اللهَ يحبُّ إذا خرجَ عبدُهُ المؤمنُ إلى أخيهِ، أنْ يتهيّأَ لَهُ، وَأنْ يتجمّلَ
“Indeed, Allah loves when His believing servant goes out to his brother, that he prepares for him, and beautifies himself”[5]
and it is emphasized in the texts that
وقد ورد التأكيد في النصوص على أنّ “خيرَ لباسِ كلّ زمانٍ لباسُ أهلِهِ
“The best clothing of every era is the clothing of its people”[6].
E- Solidarity and aiding the poor: This is by earnestly participating in taking responsibility towards the poor and the weak, to make them all feel the joy of Eid, and to make our slogan to work for the happiness of people, all people, on Eid, through cooperation, solidarity, and altruism. It is narrated that Ali bought a garment and liked it, then he donated it and said:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ يَقُولُ: مَنْ آثَرَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ آثَرَهُ اللهُ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ بالجَنَّةَ
“I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: ‘Whoever prefers others over himself, Allah will prefer him on the Day of Resurrection with Paradise'”[7]
[1] Al-Jami’ al-Saghir fi Ahadith al-Bashir al-Nadhir Volume 2, Page 32.
[2] Al-Mahajja al-Bayda fi Tahdhib al-Ihya, Volume 3, Page 288.
[3] Wasa’il al-Shi’a, Volume 4, Page 415.
[4] Bihar al-Anwar, previous source, Volume 72, Page 364.
[5] Makarim al-Akhlaq, Page 97.
[6] Al-Kafi, Volume 6, Page 141.
[7] Majma’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Volume 2, Page 342.