Undesirable Acts on ‘Eid

1) It is haraam to fast the day of ‘Eid as indicated by the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (RadiyAllaahu ‘anhu) who said: The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) forbade fasting on the day of al-Fitr and an-Nahr.” [Bukhaari, 1992; Muslim, 827]. The scholars are unanimously agreed that fasting on these two days is forbidden.

2) Do not celebrate because Ramadaan is over and you no longer have to fast. Change your niyyah (intention) and understand that the believers celebrate at ‘Eid because Allaah has helped them to complete the month of fasting, not because the fasting, which some people regard as a heavy burden, is over.

3) Some people consider it from the sunnah to stay up the night before the ‘Eid worshipping, praying, and reading Qur-aan. This proof is evidenced in the following hadeeth: “Whomever livens the night of ‘Eid, will have a live heart when other hearts die. [Ibn Majah]” meaning liven it with prayer. This hadeeth has two isnaad (chains) to it; one da‘eef (weak) and the other extremely weak. See Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da’eefah wa’l-Mawdoo’ah by al-Albaani, 520, 521.
Staying up and worshipping Allah is encouraged in the Qur-aan and Sunnah. If it has been ones habit as I am sure most people have been doing during the Ramadaan, then it is permissible to do so. It is important, however, not to turn this into a special night of excessive worship and dhikr gatherings. To claim otherwise, would be considered an innovation.
One should not, out of laziness, not pray nafl salaah or recite Qur-aan for example saying “I do not want to make bid‘ah hence I will not recite Qur-aan or pray nafl salaah”. Always check your intention and do not add or delete to the words and actions of our beloved Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam).

4) One should avoid excessive mixing and mingling with the opposite sex who are not mahram relatives. Naturally, one should avoid this throughout ones life, but even more so during the ‘Eid, given the celebratory nature of this day. Take precaution of this even in the place where Salaat-ul ‘Eid is prayed (where women are praying as well as men). No shaking hands with ghair mahaarim.

5) Sisters should be cautious of wearing make-up, wearing perfume and eye-catching adornments when leaving their houses and being in public. These days some cloaks for women are very revealing which defeats the purpose of wearing an ‘abaayah and hijaab and niqaab. Some women, May Allaah guide them, even dress up in their finest clothes and put on the best perfume when they go to the mosque to pray Taraaweeh or go to the ‘Eid prayers, etc. Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” [Nasaa’i, 5126; Tirmidhi, 2783; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 2019].
Men should not adorn themselves with garments made of silk and gold jewellery. Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila (RadiyAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Do not wear silk or Dibaaja, and do not eat or drink in silver or golden vessels, and do not eat in plates of such vessels, for such things are for the unbelievers in this worldly life, and for us in the hereafter.” [Bukhari 7.337] As believers, we should take caution in what we wear. As hayaa’ (modesty) is for all time, not just Ramadaan.

6) There is no sunnah prayer before the ‘Eid prayer. There are no naafilah prayers to be done either before or after the ‘Eid prayer, as Ibn ‘Abbaas (RadiyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to come out on the day of ‘Eid and pray two rak‘ahs, with nothing before or after them. This is the case if the salaah is offered in a prayer place or public place, as osme call it “Eid Gaah”. If, however, the people pray the ‘Eid prayer in a mosque, then they should pray two rak‘ahs for Tahiyyat al-Masjid (“Greeting the mosque”) before sitting down.

7) One should avoid gatherings where music is played or activities are so frivolous that we stay up so late that we miss our Salat-ul Fajr or even Salaat-ul ‘Eid. This confirms the words of Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), “There will be among my ummah people who will regard adultery, silk,
alcohol and musical instruments as permissible.” [Bukhaari]

8) Do not be excessive in eating and drinking. It is wonderful celebrating ‘Eid but today we are so extravagant in our gatherings and our gifts. Allah says: “Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” [Surah 07/al-A’raf, v:31] This is something a believer should always be mindful about. When we go all out to out-do another, then is nothing but pride and arrogance. Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) writes: “Those who show moderation in eating find greater pleasure in their food than those who overindulge. When they become addicted and habituated to their indulgence, they find no great pleasure in it anymore, though they might suffer for want of it when they do not have it and endure ill health because of it”.

9) We should not visit the graves specifically on the day of the ‘Eid as this is an innovation. If one visits the graves throughout the year, there is no particular harm, and actually will be rewarded since it is from the sunnah. One should not make it a point to do on this day only. This is contrary to the purpose of Eid which is to express joy and happiness, and it goes against the teaching of Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and the actions of the salaf. It comes under the general meaning of the Prophet’s prohibition on visiting graves on a specific day and making that like a festival, as the scholars stated. See Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz wa Bida’uha by al-Albaani, p. 219, 258.

References-

1. http://www.ahmadjibril.com

2. http://www.assimalhakeem.net

3. http://www.islam-qa.com

4. http://www.missionislam.com