What not to do During Eid Prayer

NOTE: I wrote this piece as a ghost-writer for a friend. My aim was to help a friend, not to promote Islam in any way.

Eid, regardless of being a day of festivity in the lives of countless Muslims across the globe, is also a day of prayer and introspection. It is quite easy to get carried away on this day and lose the virtue you rehearsed so much in the month of Ramadan. Such setbacks can be easily avoided if we are aware of what not to do right from the morning prayer, the very first task of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Do not neglect to groom yourself

The topmost priority of Eid Morning Prayer should be to groom yourself properly for the act. It is Sunnah scrub down promptly first thing in the morning of Eid, followed by wearing a fresh set of clothes and adorning oneself with perfume. Since, prayer is an assembly, it is essential to keep one’s hygiene top notch so not to bother others during their prayer. On top of that, everyone likes the company of a well-prepped person.  

Keep your phones switched off

Nothing is more irritating than a humming phone amidst prayer. Imagine diverting the attention of many individuals with the unsavory sound of a ringtone while they are caught up connecting with their Creator. It is okay to carry a phone to the Eidgah but remind yourself to turn it off or keep it on silent mode right before the beginning of the prayer. Be a considerate Muslim and do not irritate yourself and your fellow disciples amid the heavenly demonstration of prayer.

Do not carry a lot of cash to the Eidgah

Even though Muslims arrive at the Eidgah for a heartfelt praying session, not everyone has the same motive. People from all walks of life can be present at the event without segregation and this very nature of Eid congregation gets exploited by insignificant hoodlums and petty pickpockets. Hence, it is not smart to carry loads of cash to the congregation only to lose it to some pickpockets. Carry just enough for yourself and some to donate; it is better to be safe than sorry.

Do not rush during prayer

Once you have positioned yourself for the prayer, it is fundamental that you indulge into in completely. Praying is an act of imploring into heavenly otherworldliness. You will accomplish nothing by rushing into prayer. Take it slow, tune in to the imam reciting the pleasant surah and remind yourself why you are there in the first place. Appreciate the act of supplication in sync with others. In addition, speeding to finish your prayer will disturb the prayers of the others around you. Do not become the eyesore of the congregation.

Do not offer prayer inappropriately

For every Muslim, it is crucial to comprehend what they are reciting during their prayers. Eid Morning Prayer is not different. Every Muslim should know the proper method of offering the prayer of Eid and the meanings of the surahs and other incantations correctly. In order to do so, Muslims should start preparing for the Eid salah right from the month of Ramadan. One can learn the method of Eid prayer and memorize the surah and dua for it right from the month of Ramadan so that he or she is prepared for the Eid prayer. It is disrespectful to offer the salah in an ill-advised way.

Do not scramble out of the Eidgah in a rush

The Eid prayers is one of the group prayers no one wants to miss. People, irrespective of class and race, becomes a part of the prayer on the morning of Eid. Hence, a massive gathering of Muslims is formed in the Eidgah. In order to properly achieve the objective of the assemblage, it is crucial to maintain discipline albeit being difficult. Once you have completed your prayers, do not rush to get out of the Eidgah and wait for the others to finish. After that, maintain the directions given by the authority to exit the place of prayer. Remember that there are also children, elderly and people with disabilities with you and be respectful towards them as well. Let them pass through first. Do not transform leaving into a challenge. Keep in mind that you were there in the first place to earn sawabs, not to disturb others.

Eid is a day of celebration. But your act of enjoyment should not hamper that of others. It is important to be careful about your surrounding and not get carried away in the spur of the moment. The day of Eid is not just for you; it is for every Muslim. Beginning the day with a disciplined Eid prayer may be a decent start to a day of celebration for yourself as well as other people around you.