The Eid prayer: how to pray it
On Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Muslims gather in the morning for a special prayer of two rak'ahs, followed by a sermon. Here is how it works and the Sunnah of the day.
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنۡحَرۡ ﴿٢﴾
Fasalli lirabbika wainhar
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]
Quran 108:2 · Surah Al-Kauthar · Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration: Tanzil.net
Time and ruling
The Eid prayer is prayed after sunrise, once the sun has risen a little (about 15–20 minutes after sunrise), until shortly before midday. It is wajib in the Hanafi school, a confirmed sunnah in the Maliki and Shafi'i schools, and a communal obligation in the Hanbali school. There is no adhan or iqamah.
How to pray it
- First rak'ah: opening takbir, then the extra takbirs, raising the hands each time; then al-Fatiha and a surah, often al-A'la (87).
- Second rak'ah: after rising, the extra takbirs, then al-Fatiha and a surah, often al-Ghashiyah.
- Khutbah: after the prayer the imam gives the sermon.
The number of extra takbirs differs: seven in the first rak'ah and five in the second according to most scholars (Abu Dawud), three and three in the Hanafi school, where those of the second rak'ah come before ruku'. Follow your imam.
The takbir of Eid
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
It is said from the night of Eid al-Fitr until the prayer, and in Eid al-Adha from the morning of the day of Arafah until the last day of tashriq.
Sunnah of the day
- Ghusl, best clothes and perfume
- Eid al-Fitr: eat an odd number of dates before going out (al-Bukhari) and pay zakat al-fitr before the prayer
- Eid al-Adha: eat nothing until after the prayer, then from the sacrifice (at-Tirmidhi)
- Take a different way back than the way you came (al-Bukhari)
Dates for 2027: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
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Frequently asked questions
What if I miss the Eid prayer?
Many scholars say you can pray two rak'ahs on your own or with family, in the same way. In the Hanafi school it cannot be made up alone.
Can women attend the Eid prayer?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ told even young women and menstruating women to come out on Eid; the latter stay away from the place of prayer itself but witness the good and the dua (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.