Salat al-Eid — The Eid Prayer: Rites, Structure, and the Celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

What Makes Eid Prayers Unique

The Eid prayer has several features that distinguish it from all other salat:

1. No adhan and no iqama: Unlike the five daily prayers and Jumu’a, no call to prayer is given before the Eid prayer
2. Extra takbirs: Additional Allahu Akbar in each rak’a (number varies by school)
3. The khutbah comes AFTER the prayer: In Jumu’a, the sermon precedes the prayer; in Eid, the prayer comes first
4. Performed at the musalla (open space): The Prophet (SAW) preferred an open area outside the city rather than the mosque — to accommodate the maximum number of worshippers
5. Women and children should attend: The Prophet (SAW) commanded that women (including those menstruating) and children attend — even menstruating women to witness the gathering, though they do not pray

Preparation and Sunnah Practices for Both Eids

Ghusl (ritual bath): Taking ghusl before the Eid prayer is a recommended Sunnah — the Prophet (SAW) took ghusl on Eid day. (Ibn Majah)

Best clothes: Wearing the best available clothes is Sunnah. The Prophet (SAW) wore his most beautiful garments on Eid.

Takbir on Eid morning: Saying “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi al-hamd” on the way to the prayer, aloud (for men), from leaving home until the imam begins. This takbir is especially emphasized on Eid al-Adha.

Walking to the prayer: The Prophet (SAW) walked to the musalla and returned by a different route — this is Sunnah.

Meeting and greeting: Saying “Taqabbal-Allah minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept from us and from you) to one another after the prayer is narrated from the Companions.

Eid al-Fitr (1st Shawwal): The Festival of Breaking the Fast

Specific Preparations

• Eat before the prayer: The Prophet (SAW) would not go to the Eid al-Fitr prayer until he had eaten an odd number of dates. (Bukhari) — This contrasts with Eid al-Adha, where eating is delayed until after the sacrifice
• Pay Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer: Ideally paid before the Eid prayer so the poor can benefit on Eid day. (See [[zakah-al-fitr]])

The Structure of the Eid al-Fitr Prayer (Shafi’i School)

First rak’a:

1. Opening takbir (Allahu Akbar) — hands raised, niyyah made
2. Opening du’a (Wajjahtu wajhiya…)
3. Seven additional takbirs — raise hands to earlobes for each; between each pair of takbirs say: “Subhana-Allah wal-hamdu-lillah wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahu Akbar”
4. Ta’awwudh (A’udhu billahi min al-shaytani al-rajim)
5. Basmala + Surah al-Fatiha
6. Surah (the Prophet (SAW) recited Surah al-A’la, or Surah Qaf, in the first rak’a of Eid)
7. Ruku’, sujud — complete as normal

Second rak’a:

1. Stand after first sujud
2. Five additional takbirs (with same phrase between each)
3. Surah al-Fatiha
4. Surah (Prophet (SAW) recited al-Ghashiyah, or al-Qamar in the second rak’a)
5. Ruku’, two sujud, tashahhud, taslim

The khutbah: After the prayer, the imam delivers two sermons (khutbatayn), sitting between them. The Eid al-Fitr khutbah traditionally covers the meaning of Ramadan’s completion and the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr.

Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul-Hijja): The Festival of Sacrifice

Specific Preparations

• Do NOT eat before the prayer: Unlike Eid al-Fitr, eating is delayed until after the sacrifice. The Prophet (SAW) would eat from his own udhiya sacrifice before eating anything else on Eid al-Adha.
• The Takbir al-Tashreeq: From after Fajr on the 9th of Dhul-Hijja (Day of ‘Arafat) through ‘Asr on the 13th, say the takbir after every fard prayer: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi al-hamd.”

The Prayer Structure

The same as Eid al-Fitr — two rak’at with extra takbirs (7 in the first, 5 in the second).

The Udhiya (Sacrifice)

After the prayer, Muslims who can afford it slaughter an animal (sheep, goat, cow, camel) in memory of Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son. One sheep or goat per person; one cow or camel shared among seven. The meat is divided into three: one-third kept, one-third given to relatives and friends, one-third given to the poor. (See [[mina-and-rami]] for the Hajj context.)

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever has the ability to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, let him not come near our musalla.” (Ibn Majah — this strong warning motivates those who can afford it to ensure they fulfill the sacrifice.)

The Khutbah

The Eid al-Adha khutbah covers the significance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice, the meaning of taqwa, and guidance on the udhiya.

The Bohra Eid Tradition

In the Dawoodi Bohra community, Eid days are marked by special community gatherings (majlis al-eid) where the Da’i or his representative presides, blessings are sought, and the community celebrates the occasion together. The communal meal in the thaal tradition is particularly vibrant on Eid days. Specific du’as from the Fatimid heritage accompany the standard Eid rites.

See also: Understanding Namaz, Friday Prayer, Zakah Al Fitr, Fasting Rules, Mina And Rami, Salat Al Janazah, Post Namaz Routine