Eid is a special occasion and one of the things which makes it so is the Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayer. Since this prayer comes only once a year, there is often confusion about how to perform this prayer. In general, when praying any Salah, always follow the Imam in prayer. Do not make your movements (i.e. bowing, prostrating, etc.) before he does or is different from him.
Eid prayer consists of two units (Rakat in Arabic, the singular is Raka). The main difference in the way this prayer and any other prayer of two Rakat is performed is the number of Takbirs that are done.
Eid Salah – step by step
- Make the intention to perform Eid prayer
- Give the opening takbir (‘Allahu Akbar’) with the imam
- Say the opening supplication quietly to yourself
- Give 3 more takbeer with the imam, raising your hands out for each
- Listen to the imam recite Surah al-Fatihah and an additional surah
- Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ while moving into ruku with the imam and complete the prayer cycle as usual
- In the second prayer cycle, listen to the imam recite Surah al-Fatihah and an additional surah
- Give 3 additional takbir with the imam. After the third and final takbir, place your hands to your sides before ruku
- Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ while moving into the bowing position with the imam and complete the prayer cycle as usual
Allah Akbar! From everyone at Islamic Relief, we’d like to wish you and your loved ones Eid Mubarak! Thank you for your continued support. Takbirs is an Arabic word referring to when “Allahu Akbar” is said and the hands are raised to the ears.
Here is another one pray step:
Before you start your prayer:
- Before going to the Eid prayer, it is Sunnah to make Wudu (ghusl) and put on your best clothes. Eid is a celebration, after all.
- It is also Sunnah to recite takbeer after leaving your house as you travel to the Eid prayer. This is: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaaha illa-llaah, wa-llaahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li-llaahil hamd.
- There is no nafl (voluntary) prayers offered before or after the Eid prayer. Ibn Abbas (ra) said, ‘The Prophet (saw) went out to the place of prayer on the Day of Fitr and prayed two raka’ah of Eid prayer, not praying before or after them’. [Bukhari]
- Just like with other prayers, remember to make your niyyah (intention) before you start. This intention must be present in the heart. However, if you wish to verbalise it too, you can do so as follows, ‘I intend to pray two raka’ah of the Eid al-Fitr/Eid al-Adha prayer for Allah facing the Ka’bah’.
Step 1: Make an intention of doing two Rakat behind the Imam for Eid prayer along with six additional Takbirs.
The First Raka
Step 2: Now start your prayer by raising your hands up to your earlobes for men, and shoulders for women, while saying the takbeer: Allahu Akbar. Then, place your right hand over your left, just below the naval. Women should place their hands over their chest.
Step 3: There will be 3 Takbirs before the Imam starts reciting Quran. Each time the Imam says “Allahu Akbar”, you should follow by raising your hands, then putting them on your sides.
Recite your opening supplication: SubhanaK-Allahumma wa bihamdiKa, wa tabaarak-asmuKa, wa ta-’aala jadduKa, wa la ilaaha illa ghayruK. This means: O Allah, glory and praise are for You, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty and there is no god but You.
Step 4: Listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran. The Imam will recite Surah Al Fatiha (the first Surah of the Quran) and then another Surah.
Step 5: When the Imam says “Allahu Akbar” go into Ruku (the bowing position).
Step 6: Stand up straight when he says Sami Allahu liman Hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), and say “Rabbana lakal Hamd” (our Lord praise be to You) in a low voice.
Step 7: When the Imam says “Allahu Akbar” go into Sujud (prostration). You will do two prostrations as in normal prayer.
The Second Raka
Step 8: The Imam will first recite from the Holy Quran (first Surah Al Fatiha and another Surah.
Step 9: After the recitation, before going into Ruku, there will be 3 Takbirs. Follow the Imam. Raise your hands after each “Allahu Akbar”. After the third Takbir, go into Ruku (the bowing position). A Hanafi Imam will recite three takbeers, but other Imams will be different, so pay attention.
Step 10: Stand up straight when the Imam says Sami Allah huliman Hamidah, and say “Rabbana lakal Hamd” in a low voice.
Step 11: When the Imam says “Allahu Akbar” go into Sujud. You will do two prostrations.
Step 12: After this, you sit for the complete Tashshahud.
Step 13: After the Imam ends the prayer by turning to his face to the right first and saying “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah” and then to his left and doing the same, you should follow.
Step 14: Do not get up right away. The Imam will give a short Khutbah (speech). Please stay still and listen. It is recommended to do so.
How to Offer Eid-ul-Fitr Salat:
The religious festival Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fast of Ramadan.
1. Rakat
- First, make the Niyyah (intention) by reciting “I intend to do two Rakat behind the Imam for Eid prayer along with six additional Takbeers.
- Follow the Imam by raising both hands up to the ears, saying “Allahu Akbar”, this is the first Takbir to enter the Salat.
- Begin reciting “Subhanaka”
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then let the hands down
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then let the hands down
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then clasp the hands, listen to the imam reciting the Fatiha and a surah. After the Imam completed the Fatiha you quietly say “Ameen”
- Go into Ruku (the bowing position) and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem”
- Stand up straight when he says “Sami Allahu liman Hamidah”, and say “Rabbana lakal Hamd” in a low voice.
- Go into the 1st Sajdah and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
- Now sit-up from the first Sajdah in jalsa position (Sitting position between the two Sajdahs)
- Now go into the 2nd Sajdah and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
2. Rakat
- Rise up to proceed to the next raka’at,
- In the second rakaat imam will first recite Surah Fatiha and some other Surah
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then let the hands down
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then let the hands down
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then let the hands down
- Takbeer, Say “Allahu Akbar” (with the imam), then Go into Ruku (the bowing position) and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem” just after the fourth takbeer (Without removing the hands)
- Stand up straight when he says “Sami Allahu liman Hamidah”, and say “Rabbana lakal Hamd” in a low voice.
- Go into the 1st Sajdah and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
- Now sit-up from the first Sajdah in jalsa position (Sitting position between the two Sajdahs)
- Now go into the 2nd Sajdah and You say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
- After this, you sit for the complete Tashshahud: You recite At-tahiyyat, Allah-umma salli, Allah-umma Barik and Rabbana.
- Turning to your face to the right first and saying “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah” and then to his left and doing the same
Here are a couple of things to note about Eid al-Adha Salah:
- It is Sunnah to eat something after the prayer. If possible, this should be the meal with your Qurbani meat, but even if you’re sacrificing abroad, it’s still better not to eat until you’ve completed the Eid al-Adha prayer. ‘…he (saw) would not eat on Eid al-Adha until he would return and eat from the animal he sacrificed’. [Ahmad]
- We recommend that you order your Qurbani before the prayer, as our global teams will begin sacrificing the animals straight after the Eid prayer. This is because the Prophet (saw) said, ’Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before offering the Eid prayer, should slaughter another sacrifice in its place; and whoever has not slaughtered their sacrifice yet, should slaughter now′ [Bukhari]. As soon as we have sacrificed the animals, we will begin distributing the meat to poor families.
- However, if you forget to order your Qurbani before the Eid prayer, don’t worry! You can make a Qurbani order right up until Maghrib time on the third day of Eid (12th Dhul Hijjah), as Muslim Hands has already sacrificed the animals in time for Eid distribution, with the intention that some donors will give their money on the third day.
Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated as a full month of fasting in this way, a joining together of family, friends, and communities to feast and enjoy the food that has been provided by Allah (SWT). Eid-ul-Fitr festival is an important way to mark the end of Ramadan, however, before the festivities can begin, there are a number of important rituals that must first take place to give true thanks to Allah (SWT) for all he has done. Allah says:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّلِحَتِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
“Those who believe and do righteous deeds and perform their prayers and give the purifying alms have their reward from their Lord, and they will not fear or grieve.” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:277)
Eid is a joyous time and many Muslim communities look forward to the celebrations with eagerness. It’s also traditional to exchange gifts during the Eid celebration, particularly between young children and close family members. This holiday is also known as “The Lesser Eid” or “Sweet Eid” due to the increased number of sweet snacks available, and also because this day holds less importance in the Islamic calendar than Eid ul-Adha.
