Eid Prayer Guide: How to Perform It Correctly, Complete with Etiquette and Sunnah Practices

Hi everyone, Eid is just around the corner—Eid Mubarak to you all! You can feel the festive spirit in the air, and traditions are starting to shine through. The most important part of Eid day, after the joy of completing Ramadan or standing at Arafat, is the Eid prayer. Lots of people ask about the exact method of performing the Eid prayer: what's obligatory and what's recommended? Today, I wanted to explain it to you from the heart, in a simple and clear way, so you can head to the prayer ground with peace of mind.

Timing and Place of the Eid Prayer

First things first, the Eid prayer isn't performed at Fajr time, no. Its time begins approximately fifteen minutes after sunrise and continues until just before the Dhuhr call to prayer. So, don't rush. Have breakfast, get ready, and head out calmly. The Prophet ﷺ used to pray it in the musalla, an open space outside the mosque, so that everyone could gather: young and old, men and women. Here in our country, large mosques and prayer grounds welcome the worshippers, and it's performed in congregation, bringing immense reward.

How to Perform the Eid Prayer Step by Step

Now, let's get to the core: how to pray in Islam in general, and the Eid prayer specifically. The Eid prayer consists of two rak'ahs, but it includes additional takbirs compared to regular prayers. Let's explain it in order:

• The Intention (Niyyah): The heart is the foundation. Intend in your heart to pray the Eid prayer, a confirmed Sunnah.
• First Rak'ah: Start with the Takbiratul Ihram (saying "Allahu Akbar" to begin the prayer). Then, recite the opening supplication (Du'a Al-Istiftah) silently. After that, say six additional takbirs, not including the opening takbir, making a total of seven takbirs. Raise your hands with each takbir and say "Allahu Akbar." Between the takbirs, you can praise Allah by saying: "SubhanAllah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illAllah, wallahu akbar" (Glory be to Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest).
• After the takbirs, seek refuge with Allah (say "A'udhu billahi minash shaytanir rajeem"), recite Al-Fatihah, and then another surah, like Surat Al-A'la or Qaf. The imam will recite loudly.
• Second Rak'ah: Stand up from prostration, saying the transition takbir. Then, say five additional takbirs, not including the takbir for standing up. So, you'll say takbir five times in a row, raising your hands with each one. After these takbirs, recite Al-Fatihah and then, for example, Surat Al-Ghashiyah. Then, bow (rukuh), prostrate (sujud), sit for the Tashahhud, and conclude with Tasleem (saying "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" to both sides).

This is the method adopted by many scholars, and it's the easiest and most comprehensive. The most important thing is to follow your imam and not add extra takbirs on your own.

Etiquette and Sunnah Practices for Eid Day Before the Prayer

Regarding teachings on prayer and ablution (wudu) and its rulings, performing wudu for the Eid prayer is obligatory, just like for any other prayer. But there are specific Sunnah practices for Eid—learn them and teach them to your children:

• Taking a Bath (Ghusl): It's from the Sunnah to purify yourself by taking a bath (ghusl) before heading out.
• Eating Before the Prayer: On Eid al-Fitr, it's recommended to eat an odd number of dates before leaving for prayer, to show that you have broken your fast after Ramadan. On Eid al-Adha, the Sunnah is to eat from the sacrifice after the prayer.
• Wearing Your Best Clothes: Wear your finest clothes. They don't necessarily have to be new, but they should be clean and neat. Wear perfume and express your joy.
• Going and Returning by Different Routes: Take two different routes—go to the prayer ground one way and return another way—so you can meet and greet more Muslims.
• Saying Takbir (Takbeer): Saying takbir on Eid day is a Sunnah. You'll hear it everywhere. Repeat after the imam or say: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illAllah, Allahu 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 all praise is due to Allah).

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

Some people rush off after the prayer and leave before listening to the sermon (khutbah). The sermon isn't obligatory, but it's a Sunnah, and it contains much goodness. Make sure to listen to it. Also, some brothers miss the Eid prayer because of work or sleeping in. It is a highly confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) that should not be neglected. And everyone, please don't prevent women from going out to the prayer ground. They should go wearing proper Islamic hijab, without displaying themselves immodestly—all the goodness is in gathering together.

Summary

The Eid prayer is a source of joy and happiness, and it's a way of thanking Allah for enabling us to complete our worship. Learn how to perform the Eid prayer and teach it to your family. Renew your intention, and go out with hearts filled with love and forgiveness. May you always draw closer to Allah, and may this Eid bring us all goodness, blessings, and prosperity.