How many rakahs is the Eid prayer?
The Eid prayer is 2 rakahs. However, what distinguishes it from regular prayers is the presence of 3 additional takbirs per rakah, known as "zawā'id takbirs" (Hanafi school). The total number of zawā'id takbirs is 6: 3 in the 1st rakah (before recitation) and 3 in the 2nd rakah (after recitation). The number differs in the Shafi'i school: 7 zawā'id takbirs in the 1st rakah and 5 in the 2nd.
On whom is the Eid prayer wajib?
In the Hanafi school, the Eid prayer is wajib on those upon whom the Jumu'ah prayer is wajib: Muslim, sane, post-pubescent, male, free, resident and healthy persons. In the Shafi'i school it is sunnah mu'akkadah. The common practice in Türkiye follows the Hanafi position.
What time is the Eid prayer performed?
The Eid prayer begins AFTER the makruh time that lasts from sunrise until the sun rises one spear's length (roughly 40-50 minutes after sunrise) and can be performed until the time of dhuhr enters. In practice: about 45-60 minutes after fajr. In Türkiye, Diyanet announces the Eid prayer time each year; small differences exist between provinces.
Can the Eid prayer be performed at home?
The Eid prayer requires congregation; it is not performed alone at home. It is sufficient for at least two persons (imam + congregation) to be present in a mosque or open area. Missing the Eid prayer without an excuse is considered, in the Hanafi school, the omission of a wajib. In extraordinary times (such as Covid-19) Diyanet has recommended the Eid prayer at the mosque; for those who pray it individually, the ruling of an excuse applies.
What does someone who arrives late do?
A person who joins while the imam is still in qiyām follows the imam normally and takes any missed zawā'id takbirs while in rukū'. Once the imam has given the tasleem, a latecomer cannot pray the Eid prayer alone within the time; the Eid prayer is performed in congregation. If they can catch another Eid congregation within the time window, they join that; if not, the Eid prayer lapses for them that year.
What is sunnah to do before the Eid prayer?
Sunnah practices on the day of Eid: 1) Performing ghusl, 2) Using miswāk, 3) Wearing one's best/cleanest clothes, 4) Applying a pleasant fragrance, 5) Walking to the mosque, 6) On Eid al-Fitr, eating an odd number of dates or something sweet before going out for the prayer (Bukhari), 7) On Eid al-Adha, eating AFTER the prayer — preferably from the meat of the sacrifice, 8) Reciting takbir on the way.
What is done after the Eid prayer?
After the Eid prayer the imam ascends the minbar and delivers the Eid khutbah in two parts; the congregation listens in silence. After the khutbah, exchanging Eid greetings — congratulating one another and shaking hands — is a widespread tradition. Common greetings: "Eid Mubarak" or "Eyyāmen sa'īde" (Happy days). Hands of elders are kissed; children receive Eid pocket money.
How are the zawā'id takbirs taken?
The zawā'id takbirs are 3 additional takbirs per rakah in the Eid prayer (Hanafi). In the 1st rakah: after the Subhānaka, before the recitation. In the 2nd rakah: after the recitation, before the rukū'. When taking the takbir one says "Allāhu Akbar," raises the hands to the ear/shoulder level and releases them for as long as it takes to say "Subhānallāh" three times. After the third zawā'id takbir of the 1st rakah the hands are folded; after the third takbir of the 2nd rakah the rukū' follows directly.
What if Friday coincides with Eid?
If Jumu'ah falls on the day of Eid, both prayers are performed. The Eid prayer in the morning, the Jumu'ah at the time of dhuhr. In the Hanafi school the Jumu'ah remains fard; in the Hanbali school, for someone who has prayed the Eid prayer, Jumu'ah may not be wajib that day (debated). The standard Diyanet practice in Türkiye is for both prayers to be performed as normal.
Is fasting allowed on the day of Eid?
No. Fasting is forbidden on the 1st day of Eid al-Fitr and on all 4 days of Eid al-Adha. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited fasting on these days (Bukhari, Muslim). Eid is seen as a banquet Allah has given the Ummah; it is mustahabb to eat, drink and rejoice that day. Outside the days of Eid, voluntary fasts (qadā, vows, etc.) may be kept.
Can women attend the Eid prayer?
Yes. The Eid prayer is not wajib on women, but women who wish may come to the mosque and pray it. In the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), women (even those menstruating) would come out to the Eid prayer area, standing at the edge and listening to the khutbah (Bukhari). Women pray in the separate women's section in the mosque. A woman who has prayed the Eid prayer is not required to perform any further prayer in its place.
Is there a difference between the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers?
The performance of the prayer is identical: 2 rakahs wajib, 6 zawā'id takbirs. The differences are in outward customs: on Eid al-Fitr, eating dates/sweets BEFORE the prayer is sunnah; on Eid al-Adha, eating AFTER the prayer and tasting from the qurbān (sacrifice) is sunnah. Differences in the khutbah subject matter: on Eid al-Fitr, zakat al-fitr is emphasised; on Eid al-Adha, the rulings of udhiyah (sacrifice). The takbir tradition also differs: on Eid al-Adha, the "tashrīq takbirs" are recited for 4 days after each fard prayer.
What are the tashrīq takbirs, and when are they recited?
The tashrīq takbirs are takbirs recited after the tasleem of each fard prayer, starting from the fajr of the day of Arafah (9th of Dhū al-Hijjah) up to the asr of the 4th day of Eid al-Adha — a total of 23 prayer times. The text: "Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illa-llāhu wa-llāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar wa lillāhi'l-hamd." In the Hanafi school they are wajib; they are recited in congregation or individually. These takbirs are not part of Eid al-Fitr.
