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A Comprehensive Guide on How to Perform Eid Prayer
Do you want to know how to perform Eid prayer? Eid is one of the most spiritual and joyful times for Muslims living across the world. Performing the Namaz-e-Eid correctly allows you to enjoy your act of worship while ensuring the reflection and gratitude for the special occasion. It is a unique prayer, not like the five daily prayers, with a distinctive structure.
It is crucial for all Muslims to understand how to perform Eid salah step by step, when several people ask whether they should offer prayer at home or on the ground. You can consider the Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr prayer guide to learn the essential steps for performing Salah while unlocking the spiritual wisdom.
Importance of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha in Islam
There are two annual Eids following the Islamic guide to Eid:
- Eid Al-Fitr: The celebration starts on the 1st of Shawwal instantly after Ramadan.
- Eid Al-Adha: The celebration starts on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, during the Hajj days.
These Eids are known as the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because He treated Eid as a day of spiritual growth and communal celebration. You must consider the difference between Hajj and Umrah.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about Eid: “Every nation has its festival, and this is our festival.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Eid is a time to:
- Come together as a community
- Celebrate with modest joy and dignity
- Express gratitude to Allah Almighty for completing the Hajj and fasting
- Enhance the bonds of social justice, charity, and kindness
Eid prayer has become the crown of the special day, emphasizing Muslims’ connectivity with Allah Almighty.
What Is Eid Prayer?
A congregational two rak’ah prayer with a unique format offered in the early hours of the Eid day is known as Eid Salah. There is no adhan and iqamah for this unique prayer. Moreover, this prayer is followed by an Eid khutbah, which is unlike the Friday khutbah in terms of rulings. The following factors make this Salah unique when you are looking to know how to perform Eid prayer.
- Additional Takbeerat in both rakats
- Post-prayer sermon, which is strongly recommended to listen to
- The atmosphere of a communal gathering and the joy
It’s also easy to learn how to perform Tahajjud prayer and leverage blessings. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area, resulting in a tradition of collective, inclusive, and public worship.
Timing of Eid Prayer
There is a specific time to offer the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid. The Islamic scholars agree that Salah becomes valid just after sunrise and before the time of Dhuhr.
When exactly should Eid Namaz be performed?
- Start Time: 15-30 minutes after sunrise.
- End Time: Just before the timing of Dhuhr Salah.
It is important to note that most Muslims perform Eid prayer within 4-5 hours after sunrise.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would go out to the Musalla on the day of Eid, and the first thing he would do was perform the Eid prayer.” (Sahih Bukhari)
It is recommended that Eid Al-Fitr be performed earlier so that poor people can receive and benefit from the Zakat Al-Fitr. You can join an Islamic education course to learn the Islamic teachings about Eid.
How to Perform Eid Prayer – Step-by-Step Guide
When you are looking to perform Eid Salah effectively, it is important to consider the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha prayer methods. Here, you can follow the easy steps to perform your Eid Salah according to the Islamic teachings.
1. Preparation Before the Prayer
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught different Sunnah actions to perform before the Eid Namaz.
- Ghusl: Ritual bath ensures cleanliness and freshness.
- Wear Best Clothes: Preferably clean or new traditional attire.
- Apply Perfume: Men can use perfume to beautify themselves for the Eid gathering.
- Eat Before the Eid Al-Fitr Prayer: It’s Sunnah to eat an odd number of dates before heading for Eid Namaz.
- Don’t Eat Before Eid Al-Adha Prayer: It is preferable to eat after the Qurbani.
- Walk to the Prayer: The Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s Sunnah is to walk towards the prayer place.
- Recite the Takbeer out Loud: It’s recommended to recite Takbeer while walking to and from the prayer area.
The Takbeer:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallahu, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd.”
Our online Quran academy helps you in understanding this crucial step for offering Eid Namaz. You need to keep reciting the Takbeer until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. This is how to perform Eid prayer while going through the necessary steps.
2. Structure of Eid Prayer
First Rak’ah
- Make the intention silently:
“I intend to pray two rak’ahs of Eid prayer for the sake of Allah.” - Say Takbeer al-Ihram (“Allahu Akbar”) to start the Salah.
- Then recite 6 additional Takbeerat in Eid prayer (Hanafi school). There are 7 Takbeers in other schools.
- Pause, raise, and lower your hands after each Takbeer.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, followed by another Surah.
- Continue the rak’ah as usual with ruku’ and sujood.
Second Rak’ah
- Rise from sujood, saying “Allahu Akbar”.
- Say 5 Takbeerat (or 6 according to some schools).
- Recite Al-Fatiha and be followed by another Surah.
- Complete the rakat with ruku, sujood, tashahhud, and taslim.
It is important to remember that Eid Salah contains no Adhan, Iqamah, and Qunoot. Moreover, you can enroll in online Quran courses to understand and enhance your religious knowledge.
What is the Eid Khutbah?
The Imam delivers a religious address after completing the Eid prayer, which is known as the sermon or Khutbah. It is necessary to consider when you have learnt how to perform Eid prayer. This sermon emphasizes praising Allah Almighty while addressing reminders about Taqwa. This Eid prayer Khutbah provides guidance about Qurbani or Zakat Al-Fitr.
The Eid sermon features the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBH)’s teachings, especially Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) on Eid Al-Adha. This Khutbah encourages Muslims to maintain righteousness beyond Hajj or Ramadan. There are also supplications for the whole Ummah in the sermon.
It is strongly recommended that you listen to the Khubah after completing the Eid prayer. The Holy Prophet (PBH) delivered the sermon and advised Muslims to stay and listen. You can consider online Quran classes to learn the Holy Book from scratch.
How to Pray Eid Namaz at Home
There are different conditions, such as inaccessibility to a congregation, travel issues, and illness, where one can’t attend Eid Salah at a mosque. Islamic scholars encourage Muslims to offer Eid salah at home, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidelines for Performing Eid Prayer at Home
Let’s consider the following Eid prayer rules:
- Pray in a congregation with family or individually
- Two rakats with additional Takbeerat
- No need for Eid Khutbah at home
- An adult man leads as the Imam for the congregation
It is important to remember that the Eid spirit remains intact in complex or personal circumstances. You can consider the Quran lessons learning more about the Islamic teachings.
Opinions of Different Schools of Thought for Eid Prayer
| School of Thought | Extra Takbeerat | Takbeerat Position | Ruling on Eid Namaz |
| Hanafi | 3 per rakat | After opening Takbeer | Wajib |
| Shafi’i | 7 (1st), 5 (2nd) | Before recitation | Sunnah Mu’akkadah |
| Maliki | 7 (1st), 5 (2nd) | Before recitation | Sunna |
| Hanbali | 6 (1st), 5 (2nd) | Before recitation | Sunnah Mu’akkadah |
All schools of thought agree that Eid prayer has higher importance, and there is a discouragement to skip it without a valid reason.
Spiritual Importance of Eid Prayer
- Eid al-Fitr is an occasion to celebrate the completion of Ramadan, a month of divine connection and self-restraint for every Muslim.
- Eid al-Adha connects Muslims with the legacy of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who followed the obedience of Allah Almighty and trust in His divine power.
These occasions allow Muslims to express gratitude while renewing their faith.
Conclusion
It is rewarding to learn how to perform Eid prayer because it is a spiritual fulfillment act for Muslims. Grtatitude and evotion are core elements of Eid, whether you are praying Eid Namaz at home or following the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s Sunnah of performing Eid prayer in an open field. You can enjoy this rich act of worship with the Muslim community and celebrate joyful moments together.
FAQs
Is Eid prayer mandatory?
Answer: Yes, Eid prayer is Wajib according to the Hanafi school of thought, while other schools consider Eid Namaz a Sunnah Mu’akkadah and skipping it a sin.
Can women attend Eid prayer?
Answer: Yes, women can attend Eid prayer in the appropriate space.
Do I need to give Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer?Answer: Yes, you need to give the Zakat Al-Fitr before Eid Namaz because it is an obligatory act.
