There’s a special magic in the air on Eid morning.
You can feel it the moment you wake up. It’s the smell of special foods cooking, the sound of the Takbirat (praises of Allah), and the wonderful feeling of putting on new, festive clothes. For children, this excitement is even greater. They wake up with a twinkle in their eye, knowing that Eid al-Fitr is a day of fun, family, and best of all gifts!
We all have happy memories of Eidi, the special gift of money or presents given by parents, grandparents, and relatives. It’s a tradition we all love and look forward to.
But is it just a cultural tradition we’ve passed down? Or is there something deeper?
The wonderful truth is that this act of making children happy on Eid is not just a cultural habit. It is a beautiful and important Sunnah (practice and teaching) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Let’s explore why giving Eid gifts to children is a beautiful Sunnah and how it captures the true spirit of this blessed day.
What is Eid al-Fitr? The Festival of Joy
Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a gift from Allah (SWT). It is our reward for a whole month of fasting, prayer, and patience during Ramadan. It is a day of pure joy, gratitude, and celebration.
The Prophet (ﷺ) made it very clear that Eid is a special day, different from all others. It is our festival, and we are supposed to be happy. He (ﷺ) said, “Every nation has its festival, and this is our festival.”
This happiness is not just a feeling; it’s something we are encouraged to show. We do this by:
- Praying the special Eid prayer together.
- Wearing our best (or new) clothes.
- Eating and sharing good food (after a month of fasting!).
- Visiting family and friends.
- And, most importantly, spreading that joy to others.
This is where giving gifts comes in. It is the most direct and simple way to share happiness and make the day special for those we love, especially children.
Why Giving Eid Gifts to Children is a Beautiful Sunnah
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was the most loving and affectionate person, especially towards children. His life is full of examples of his kindness, playfulness, and mercy. He (ﷺ) would kiss his grandchildren, play with them, and carry them on his shoulders, even during prayer.
He (ﷺ) taught us that making a child feel loved, special, and happy is a blessed act in itself. On the day of Eid, this act of kindness takes on an even more special meaning. Here’s why this tradition is so close to the heart of our faith.
1. It’s an Expression of Prophetic Love
While we use the word “Eidi,” the Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged giving gifts in general to build love. He (ﷺ) said, “Give gifts, for gifts remove ill-will from the hearts.” (Tirmidhi)
On Eid, this act of giving is super-charged. When you give a gift to a child, you are not just giving them a toy or some money. You are giving them a physical sign of your love. You are following the Prophet’s (ﷺ) example of showing mercy and affection to the youngest and most innocent members of our community. Their pure, uncomplicated joy is one of the best ways to celebrate Allah’s blessings.
2. It Teaches Gratitude and Generosity
Children learn by example. When a child receives a gift, they feel happy and grateful. This teaches them to say “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is for Allah) for the blessings they receive.
At the same time, it teaches them to be givers. They see their parents and elders being generous, and they learn that giving to others is a happy and important part of being a Muslim. It plants the seed of charity in their hearts from a young age.
3. It Makes the Day a True Celebration
What makes a day feel special? It’s doing things we don’t do every other day. For a child, receiving a new toy, a crisp new note of money, or a beautiful new outfit makes Eid feel truly different from any other day of the year.
This is the whole point of the festival! The Sunnah is to make it a real celebration, a day of joy that makes children love their faith and look forward to its special holidays. The burst of excitement they feel when they get a gift is a huge part of what makes Eid, Eid.
The Most Important Part: Making Every Child Feel Included
The joy of Eid is meant to be for everyone. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Sunnah was always about building a community where no one is left behind.
While many of us are blessed to be with our families, buying new clothes and gifts for our own children, it’s easy to forget that there are millions of children who have no one to give them a gift.
- The orphan who has no father to hand them a crisp note.
- The refugee child who is spending Eid in a tent.
- The child in deep poverty whose parents cannot afford even a small piece of candy.
For these children, Eid can be a day of sadness. They watch other children in new clothes, playing with new toys, and their hearts can feel a little heavy.
This is where our tradition of giving gifts becomes one of the most important acts of charity. When we extend our “Eidi” to include these children, we are not just giving a gift; we are performing an act of deep Sunnah. We are healing a heart, wiping away a tear, and obeying the Prophet’s (ﷺ) command to care for the orphan and the needy.
This is the true, beautiful meaning of why giving Eid gifts to children is a beautiful Sunnah. It’s about taking the Prophet’s (ﷺ) example of love and spreading it to all children, especially those who need it most.
It brings joy and makes them feel included in the celebration. You can donate an Eid gift to an orphan and share your happiness with a child who has nothing.
What Makes a Perfect Eid Gift?
It’s not about how much it costs. It’s about the joy it brings. When you donate to an Eid gift appeal, you are helping to create a bundle of happiness for a child.
Our gift packs include toys, sweets, and new clothes. See what’s inside an Eid gift pack to learn how charities like Children of Adam carefully choose items to bring the biggest smile to a child’s face. A new dress or shirt, a small doll or a toy car, and some sweets are all it takes to make their day.
The Joy of Eid Follows the Duty of Ramadan
It’s important to remember when this celebration happens. Eid al-Fitr is not just a random holiday. It is the reward that comes directly after our month-long struggle of fasting and charity.
We fulfil our final duty of Ramadan by purifying our fast and feeding the poor one last time. These gifts are given on Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that begins after the final fast and the payment of Fitrana.
First, we pay our Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr) to make sure the poorest families have food for the day. Then, after that duty is done, the celebration and gift-giving can begin! It’s the perfect end to a month of giving: a final act of required charity (Fitrana) followed by a beautiful act of voluntary joy (Eid gifts).
So this Eid, as you hand a gift to your child, son, daughter, niece, or nephew, remember the beautiful intention behind it. You are not just following a tradition; you are practising a Sunnah of love, joy, and compassion.
And as you do, consider extending that Sunnah just a little bit further. Share your joy with one more child. It’s a small act that has a massive reward, and it’s the perfect way to truly celebrate Eid.
