‘Eed prayer is one of the public rites of Islam and it is connected with two great acts of worship: Fasting and Hajj. During this prayer, the Muslims gather saying Allahu Akbar (Allah Is The Greatest) La Ilaaha illa Allah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and showing happiness with the bounty of Allah The Almighty after worshipping Him to win the reward of their Lord on that great day.

‘Eed prayer has some special rulings and acts of Sunnah that can be summarized in the following:

The Ruling of ‘Eed Prayer

Scholars had different opinions regarding the ruling of ‘Eed prayer:

* Some scholars said that it is a confirmed Sunnah (tradition).

* Other scholars said that it is a collective duty, i.e. if some people perform it, other people who do not perform it will not bear a sin; however, if none perform it all people will be sinful.

* A third party of the scholars said that it is obligatory. This opinion was adopted by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and other religious scholars. They supported this opinion by adducing the Quranic verse in which Allah The Almighty Said (what means): {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].} [Quran 108:2]

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that this verse refers to the ‘Eed prayer, in addition to the fact that Prophet always observed it and never neglected it, as well as commanding the women – including those who have their menstrual period and the virgins who stay indoors – to come out to the ’Eed prayer. Umm ‘Atiyyah said, “The Messenger of Allah commanded us to bring out young women, menstruating women, and girls who stayed indoors on (’Eed) Al-Adh-ha and (’Eed) Al-Fitr. Menstruating women were to stay away from prayer, but were to witness the goodness and the gathering of the Muslims…” [Muslim]

In addition, ‘Eed prayer is one of the greatest rites of Islam and the number of people who gather to perform it is greater than those who gather to perform the Friday prayer. Moreover, reciting Takbeer is ordained therein.

Hence, every Muslim should observe it and encourage his family women and children to attend it to make manifest the rites of Islam and to thank Allah The Almighty for granting them success to perform the acts of worship.

The Time for Performing It

The time of ‘Eed prayer begins approximately fifteen minutes after sunrise until noon, namely, its due time is the time of Dhuha (mid-morning) prayer.

Delaying the prayer of ‘Eed Al-Fitr is a Sunnah to enable people to pay their Zakah (purifying alms), while performing the prayer of ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha as early as possible is a Sunnah to enable people to slaughter their sacrifices before noon.

The Place for Performing It

According to the Sunnah, ‘Eed prayer should be performed in an open area (Musalla), as Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said, “The Prophet used to go out on the day of Al-Fitr and Al-‎Adh-ha to the Musalla...” [Al-Bukhari]

There is no Athaan (call for prayer) or Iqaamah (second call for prayer) for the ‘Eed prayer, as Ibn ‘Abbaas, and Jaabir said, “There was no Athaan on the day of Al-Fitr or on the day of Al-Adh-ha.” In addition, saying “As-salaatu jaami’ah (prayer in congregation is about to begin)” is not valid, because this practice was not proven to have taken place during the lifetime of the Prophet

‘Eed prayer has no Sunnah prayer before or after it, as Ibn ‘Abbaas reported, “The Prophet went out on the day of Fitr and offered two Rak‘ahs without any prayer before or after it.‎” [Al-Bukhari]

The Sunnah is to only offer the two Rak‘ahs of ‘Eed prayer unless it was offered in the mosque for some excuse. In such a case, one should offer the two Rak‘ahs of Tahyatul-Masjid when entering the mosque.

How it is Performed

The ‘Eed prayer is performing two Rak’ahs. The first Rak’ah begins with the saying Takbeerat Al-Ihraam: 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah Is The Greatest) as is the case with all other prayers. Then the Imam (followed by the praying Muslims) say 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah Is The Greatest) six times. In the second Rak’ah, the Imam says 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah Is The Greatest) five times other than the shifting Takbeer (i.e., the one recited when the Imam and the people who follow him stand up to perform the second Rak’ah after concluding the second prostration of the first Rak’ah). ‘Aa’ishah said, “The Prophet would say Allahu Akbar (Allah Is The Greatest) in (the prayers of ‘Eed) Al-Fitr and Al-Adh-ha; he would say it seven times in the first (Rak’ah) before recitation of the Quran and five in the second one before recitation of the Quran.” [At-Tirmithi and other narrators]

Saying Allahu Akbar (Allah Is The Greatest) is an act of Sunnah, and abandoning it does not invalidate prayer, and the Muslims who follow the Imam in prayer should follow him in saying Allahu Akbar.

Raising the hands with each Takbeer is recommended, as it was reported that the Prophet used to raise his hands with Takbeer. [Ahmad] This Hadeeth (narration) is general, i.e. it applies to the Takbeer of all prayers including the ‘Eed prayers.

One may praise Allah The Almighty, exalt Him, invoke peace upon the Prophet and make any supplications between each Takbeer, as it was authentically reported that Ibn Mas‘ood and others used to do so. However, nothing is affirmed of the Prophet reciting any supplication between them. Therefore, there is no harm if one kept silent between each of Takbeer.

It is a Sunnah for the Imam to recite Al-Faatihah and then recite out loud Soorah Qaaf in the first Rak’ah and Soorah Al-Qamar in the second Rak’ah or Soorah Al-A‘la in the first Rak’ah, and Soorah Al-Ghaashiyah in the second Rak’ah. All of this is reported in Saheeh Muslim, but there is no harm if the Imam recites any other Soorahs.

The rest of the acts of the ‘Eed prayer are as those of any other prayer; nothing is different.

Khutbah (Sermon) of ‘Eed

When the Imam finishes the prayer, he should deliver two Khutbahs starting with praising Allah The Almighty and including much Takbeer during the Khutbah. In ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha, the Imam should encourage people to slaughter sacrificial animals and explain its merits and rulings.

Attending the Khutbah of ‘Eed is not obligatory, as ‘Abdullah ibn As-Saa’ib said, “I attended the ‘Eed prayer with the Prophet who said after finishing the ‘Eed prayer: ‘We shall deliver a Khutbah; so whoever wishes to stay for the Khutbah may stay and whoever wishes to leave may leave.’” [Abu Daawood]

There is no doubt that attending the Khutbah is better because it implies listening to the Thikr and attending good gatherings, which are witnessed by the angels. These gatherings also include teaching the ignorant and reminding the heedless people.