The Committed Believer · Eid & Special Occasions

Eid & Ramadan Traditions and Practices

Explore practices of Tarawih, Adhan, Eid prayers, Laylat al-Qadr, and more.

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1. What did ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه do regarding Tarawih prayer?

  • He revived the practice of praying it in congregation behind one imam. (correct answer)
  • He banned Tarawih prayer.
  • He made Tarawih a daily obligation.
  • He required everyone to pray it individually only.

Why

Tarawih may be prayed individually or in congregation, but praying it in congregation is better. The Prophet ﷺ led the Companions in Tarawih for several nights, then stopped because he feared it might become obligatory. After revelation ended, that concern no longer applied. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه then united the people behind one imam, reviving a Sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ had approved.

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2. Why did the Prophet ﷺ stop coming out to lead Tarawih after several nights?

  • He feared that night prayer in Ramadan would be made obligatory for the Muslims. (correct answer)
  • He wanted to abolish Tarawih prayer.
  • He taught that congregation in Tarawih was forbidden.
  • He became displeased with the Companions for praying at night.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ led the Companions in Tarawih for several nights, then stopped coming out to them. He explained that nothing prevented him except the fear that it would be made obligatory for them and they would not be able to do it. After his death, revelation ceased, so this fear no longer applied and congregational Tarawih resumed as a Sunnah.

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3. Where did the Prophet ﷺ normally offer the Eid prayer?

  • In the outdoor musalla outside Madinah. (correct answer)
  • Always inside his mosque.
  • Wherever each family chose privately.
  • Only in the marketplace.

Why

The practical Sunnah was for the Prophet ﷺ to leave his mosque and offer Eid prayer in the outdoor prayer-place. The source explains that the scholars generally regarded going out to the prayer-place as the Sunnah, even if the mosque is spacious, except where there is a reason or excuse such as rain. This public gathering manifests the symbols of Islam and brings the Muslims together.

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4. What Eid greeting was narrated from the Companions رضي الله عنهم?

  • Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum. (correct answer)
  • A fixed greeting that must be recited in prayer.
  • A greeting that is forbidden to return.
  • A special formula that replaces the Eid takbir.

Why

It was narrated that the Companions congratulated one another on Eid by saying “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum,” meaning “May Allah accept from us and from you.” The source also explains that Eid greetings and congratulations are permissible in general, and there is no single required wording, so long as the wording involves no sin.

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5. When should Laylat al-Qadr be sought?

  • In the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd-numbered nights. (correct answer)
  • Only in the first ten nights of Ramadan.
  • On one fixed date that is known with certainty every year.
  • Only after Ramadan has ended.

Why

Laylat al-Qadr is in Ramadan and should be sought in the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights. The source explains that the last ten nights begin from the night before the twenty-first, whether Ramadan is twenty-nine or thirty days. The exact night is not fixed for people with certainty, so the believer should strive during the last ten nights.

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6. What did Ibn Qudaamah say about someone who misses the Eid prayer?

  • They do not have to make it up. (correct answer)
  • They must make it up as four rak‘ahs in every view.
  • They may only make it up if a khutbah is delivered.
  • They must wait until the next Eid.

Why

Ibn Qudaamah stated that whoever misses Eid prayer does not have to make it up, because it is a communal obligation already fulfilled by those who attended. However, if someone wants to pray it, or if public Eid prayer could not be held, the source explains that it may be offered at home. The view favoured in the conclusion is to pray it in the usual Eid manner: two rak‘ahs with the extra takbirs, and without a khutbah according to the Maaliki and Hanbali view.

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7. What is the ruling on the du‘a “Allahumma sallimni li Ramadan…” being attributed to the Prophet ﷺ?

  • It does not have a sound chain going back to the Prophet ﷺ, though similar wording was narrated from some early generations. (correct answer)
  • It is an agreed-upon sahih hadith.
  • It is forbidden to make any du‘a when Ramadan begins.
  • It is required before Ramadan begins.

Why

The source analyzes the narrations of this du‘a and concludes that it does not have any sound isnad going back to the Prophet ﷺ. However, similar wording was narrated from some of the early generations, including Makhool. Therefore, it should not be presented as an established Prophetic hadith, even though making du‘a for safety, acceptance, and benefit in Ramadan is sound in meaning.

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8. What determines the dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

  • Moon sighting according to shari‘ah, with scholarly disagreement over whether one land’s sighting binds all lands. (correct answer)
  • Astronomical calculation alone.
  • A fixed civil calendar that never changes.
  • The date of Eid al-Adha only follows the pilgrims in every country without regard to moon sighting.

Why

The source explains that the difference among Muslims over the dates of Eid comes from a known scholarly disagreement: whether a moon sighting in one country is binding on all countries, or whether each country may have its own sighting. The majority view cited says that sighting in one land is binding for all, while another view considers differences in moon sighting between lands. The same issue applies to Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the day of ‘Arafah, and ‘Ashura.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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