Prayer and RitualsEid Prayer: Its Description and Brief Rulings
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Eid prayer is one of the outward symbols of Islam. Muslims gather for it in gratitude to Allah for the completion of His blessing: on Eid al-Fitr after fasting Ramadan, and on Eid al-Adha after the great days of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
The Prophet ﷺ consistently observed it and went out to it with men and women, which shows its great importance.
RulingThe Ruling on Eid Prayer
Scholars differed over the ruling of Eid prayer. Some said it is an individual obligation, some said it is a communal obligation, and others said it is a confirmed Sunnah.
A Muslim should not be careless about it, because it is one of the greatest symbols of Eid. The Prophet ﷺ commanded women to go out to it, even menstruating women, who witness the good and the supplication of the Muslims while keeping away from the prayer place.
We were commanded to bring out the young unmarried women and the women who usually remain secluded... and menstruating women should keep away from the prayer place, but witness the good and the supplication of the Muslims.
Agreed upon, from the hadith of Umm Atiyyah رضي الله عنها.
TimeThe Time of Eid Prayer
The time of Eid prayer begins after the sun has risen to the height of a spear, meaning shortly after sunrise, and it lasts until before the sun passes its zenith.
It is better not to delay it without need. It is recommended to pray Eid al-Adha earlier so that there is more time for slaughtering the sacrifices, and to delay Eid al-Fitr slightly so that people can give zakat al-fitr before the prayer.
PlaceThe Place of Eid Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ used to go out to the open prayer place for Eid prayer.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would go out on the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha to the prayer place.
Agreed upon, from the hadith of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه.
Praying in the prayer place is Sunnah when possible. It is permissible to hold it in the masjid due to need, such as rain, cold, limited space, or a valid organizational benefit determined by the responsible authority.
Two Rak'ahs Before the KhutbahDescription of Eid Prayer
Eid prayer is two rak'ahs, and it is prayed before the khutbah.
I witnessed Eid with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman رضي الله عنهم, and all of them would pray before the khutbah.
Agreed upon, from the hadith of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما.
The imam says extra takbirs in Eid prayer in the first and second rak'ah. There is a well-known scholarly difference regarding their number and how they are counted.
The takbir in Fitr and Adha is seven takbirs in the first rak'ah and five in the second, apart from the two takbirs of bowing.
Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah from Aishah رضي الله عنها; authenticated by some scholars.
Scholars differed over whether the opening takbir is counted among the seven or is additional to them. The matter is broad. Whoever prays behind an imam should follow his imam and not make this difference a cause of dispute.
RecitationWhat Should the Imam Recite in Eid Prayer?
It is established that the Prophet ﷺ would recite in the two Eids Surah Qaf and Surah Al-Qamar.
Narrated by Muslim.
It is also established that he would recite in the two Eids and Jumu'ah Surah Al-A'la and Surah Al-Ghashiyah.
Narrated by Muslim.
All of this is established. The imam may recite whatever is easy from the Quran, but these surahs are from the Sunnah.
No Adhan or IqamahDoes Eid Prayer Have Adhan or Iqamah?
Adhan and iqamah are not legislated for Eid prayer.
I prayed the two Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ more than once or twice without adhan or iqamah.
Narrated by Muslim, from the hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah رضي الله عنه.
Before and AfterIs There a Sunnah Prayer Before or After Eid Prayer?
If Eid prayer is held in the open prayer place, there is no regular Sunnah prayer before or after it in the prayer place.
The Prophet ﷺ went out on the Day of Fitr and prayed two rak'ahs. He did not pray before them or after them.
Agreed upon, from the hadith of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما.
If Eid prayer is held in the masjid, then whoever enters the masjid before the prayer should not sit until praying the two rak'ahs of greeting the masjid, according to those who hold its general applicability.
KhutbahThe Eid Khutbah
The Eid khutbah comes after the prayer, unlike Jumu'ah.
Attending the khutbah is recommended. Whoever leaves after the prayer has no blame, but it is better to sit and listen to the reminder.
We are giving a khutbah. Whoever wishes to sit for the khutbah may sit, and whoever wishes to leave may leave.
Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah from Abdullah ibn As-Sa'ib رضي الله عنه; authenticated by some scholars.
Missed PrayerWhoever Misses Eid Prayer
Whoever misses Eid prayer with the imam, many scholars held that he may pray it as two rak'ahs in its form, if that is possible.
Al-Bukhari رحمه الله titled a chapter in his Sahih: “Chapter: If he misses Eid, he prays two rak'ahs.” He mentioned the action of Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه, who, if he missed Eid prayer, would gather his family and children and pray like the prayer and takbir of the people of the city.
Women and ChildrenWomen and Children Going Out for Eid Prayer
It is legislated for women to go out to Eid prayer with Islamic guidelines, as in the hadith of Umm Atiyyah رضي الله عنها. It is also recommended for children to witness this symbol if that does not lead to harm or disturbance.
Families should teach children the manners of the prayer place, the greatness of this symbol, and not turn the prayer place into a place of play or chaos.
Eid and Jumu'ahIf Eid Falls on a Friday
If Eid falls on Friday, there is a concession for one who attended Eid prayer to leave Jumu'ah and pray Dhuhr, while Jumu'ah remains established for whoever wants to attend it.
Two Eids have come together on this day of yours. Whoever wishes, it will suffice him from Jumu'ah, and we are holding Jumu'ah.
Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah; authenticated by some scholars.
The safer and better option for whoever can attend Jumu'ah is to attend it, leaving the disagreement and seeking the virtue. Whoever takes the concession should pray Dhuhr in its time.
FAQIs Eid prayer before the khutbah or after it?
Eid prayer is before the khutbah. This is established from the Prophet ﷺ and the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
FAQIs attending the Eid khutbah obligatory?
Attending it is recommended. Whoever leaves after the prayer has no blame, but it is better to stay and listen to the reminder.
FAQShould I pray tahiyyat al-masjid before Eid prayer?
If Eid prayer is in the open prayer place, there is no regular Sunnah prayer before Eid. If it is in a masjid, then whoever enters the masjid should not sit until praying two rak'ahs of greeting the masjid, according to those who hold its general applicability.
FAQWhat should I do if I miss Eid prayer?
According to many scholars, whoever misses it may pray two rak'ahs in its form, if that is easy. It should not become a cause of hardship or dispute.
FAQIs the number of Eid takbirs an area of scholarly difference?
Yes. There is scholarly difference regarding the number of takbirs. The matter is broad, and the follower should follow his imam and not oppose him.
FAQIf Eid falls on Friday, is Jumu'ah dropped?
Whoever attended Eid prayer has a concession according to a group of scholars to leave Jumu'ah and pray Dhuhr, but Jumu'ah remains established. It is better to attend it for whoever is able.
ConclusionConclusion
Eid prayer is a great symbol that gathers Muslims upon takbir, prayer, and joy in obedience to Allah. Part of understanding it is that a Muslim performs it with calmness, follows his imam, preserves the manners of the prayer place, and makes Eid a day of gratitude, remembrance, family ties, and kindness.
