Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu dear brothers and sisters,

As the new crescent for the month of Shawwaal was not sighted, we will complete the month of Ramadan as thirty days. Thus, Eidul-Fitr will be on Sunday May 24th, 2020.

Eid Salah is to be observed at home as the masjid remains closed due to the ongoing pandemic. Likewise the masjid will not be able to accept or distribute Zakatul-Fitr this year, so we encourage you all to fulfill the obligation of offering Zakatul-Fitr as food to Muslims in need individually. What follows are summarized points related to Eidul Salah and offering Zakatul-Fitr:

Timing of Eid Salah

Eid Salaah is performed on the day of Eid in the time period after the sun rises in the sky to the height of a spear (held at arm-length) over the horizon. This is approximately 20 minutes after sunrise. The time for performing the Eid Salah extends until midday right before the sun is at its zenith.

How to Perform Eid Salah at Home

The ‘Eid Prayer consists of two rak’ahs. After saying the opening takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”) to begin the prayer, there are 6 more takbeeraat (saying “Allaahu Akbar”) before beginning recitation of Qur’an. The hands are raised which each of the takbeeraat.

In the second rakah, after saying “Allaahu Akbar” to rise from prostration, there are 5 more takbeeraat (saying “Allaahu Akbar”) before beginning recitation of Qur’aan. The hands are raised which each of the takbeeraat.

In the first rak’ah after Surah Al-Fātihah, Surah Al-A’lā can be recited. In the second rak’ah, after Surah Al-Fātihah, Surah Al-Ghāshiyah can be recited.

Or the imām can recite Surah Qāf after al-Faatihah in the first rak’ah and Surah Al-Qamar after al-Faatihah in the second rak’ah.

The rest of the prayer is completed as usual, without a khutbah/sermon delivered afterwards as there is no khutbah/sermon if Eid Salah is performed at home.

May Allaah grant us and you all safety and well-being. For more details on the rulings, Sunan, and virtues of Eid, please refer to the following resources:

The Day of ‘Eid and the ‘Eid Prayer: Obligations, Sunan and Celebration ―From Al-Fawzan, Ibn ‘Uthaimin, Al-Albani, Al-Baghawi and others

By Shaykh Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-day-of-eid-and-the-prayer-obligations-sunan-celebration/

A Beginner’s Guide to the ‘Eid Prayer

By Shaykh Hassan Somali

https://twitter.com/hikmahpubs/status/1261046684563447808

Zakaatul-Fitr

As the masjid remains closed, ICPB is not able to accept or distribute Zakatul-Fitr this year. We encourage you all to fulfill the obligation of offering Zakatul-Fitr individually. The head of the household should offer one Prophetic sā’ (صاع) per person of the household of staple food (e.g. rice, corn, millet and so on) and deliver it directly to Muslims in need. A sā’  is approximately 2.4kg (5.3 lbs). Zakatul-Fitr is to be delivered to the poor before Eid Salah on the day of Eid, or it can be delivered a day or two before the ‘Eid.

For more details on the rulings related to Zakatul-Fitr refer to:

The Rulings of Zakāt Al-Fitr at the end of Ramadān: What to pay, when to pay, how to pay and who to pay?

By Shaykh Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-rulings-of-zakat-al-fitr/

Baarakallaahu feekum

ICPB