Eid al-Fitr, which means the feast of the breaking of the fast, marks the end of Ramadan, the month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day.
Each year, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid, the end of Ramadan and the holiest month in Islam. Worshippers visit mosques on Eid day to pray and to enjoy a day off from work or school.
In addition to attending services at their local mosque, many Muslims choose to wear new clothes on Eid in order to celebrate the new month with a fresh attire. Is it sunnah, or encouraged, to wear new clothes on Eid? Here’s what you need to know about celebrating this tradition and wearing your best clothes on Eid day. Moreover if you want to buy Eid clothes don’t forget to check out House of Faiza clothing collections.
Wearing New Clothes as a Sign of Generosity
The Prophet Muhammad was known for his modesty, humility, and generosity. The companions of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) would wear new clothes for two days each year: Eid al-Fitr (the day of breaking fast at the end of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the day of sacrifice).
These are two days in which Muslims donate a lot to charity, so wearing new clothes became a means of demonstrating one’s generosity. This is why there is an emphasis on dressing up for these holidays – especially among younger generations.
What If I Bought These Before Ramadan?
Many people find themselves with new clothes for Eid that they’ve been waiting to wear for days. So, is it sunnah to wear these new clothes for Eid? According to Imam Shafi, It is proper (sunnah) and not disliked if a person wears new clothes on `Eid. At first glance, you might think it doesn’t make sense—how can we celebrate our good fortune by wearing old clothing?
However, when looking at it from another perspective, there is much wisdom in wearing new clothes for Eid: Our actions should resemble how we want to be perceived—and who wouldn’t want to appear fresh and new before Allah? If your heart and mind are sincere in your worship of Allah, then being associated with cleanliness will be an automatic natural response; why wouldn’t you want your physical appearance (clothing included) to reflect what you feel inside?
What is the history behind wearing new clothes?
In fact, in his famous books of Prophetic hadith, Imam al-Bukhari, who compiled nearly 600,000 hadiths and is considered by Muslims worldwide as one of history’s most authoritative voices in Islamic jurisprudence and a scholar of great standing in Islam.
He records that: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever has three new items [of clothing] should wear them for three days. Narrated by Ahmad and others with sound chains according to Ibn Hajar Haythami in Majma` al-Zawa’id; also narrated by Abu Dawud with sound chains according to Ibn Hajar.
Anas bin Malik reported that whenever he needed clothes during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), he would wear them while they were new, then when they became old he would sell them.
