Eid Salah: A Simple and Clear Guide

Eid is a special occasion in Islam, celebrated with prayers, gratitude, and festivity. There are two Eid celebrations:

• Eid-ul-Fitr – observed on the 1st of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan.
• Eid-ul-Adha – observed on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion to Allah.

On both these occasions, a two-rakat Eid Salah (prayer) is performed as an expression of gratitude.

1. Important Rules for Eid Salah

✅ Eid Salah is Wajib (mandatory).
✅ It shares similar conditions with Jumu’ah Salah, except that:

• The Khutbah (sermon) is Sunnah for Eid but Fard for Jumu’ah.
• The Eid Khutbah is after Salah, while the Jumu’ah Khutbah is before Salah.
  ✅ Listening to the Eid Khutbah is Wajib, and it is prohibited to talk, walk around, or pray during the sermon.

2. Sunnah Acts on the Day of Eid-ul-Fitr

Here are 13 recommended Sunnahs to follow on Eid day:

1. Dress well in accordance with Islamic guidelines.
2. Take a bath (ghusl).
3. Use a miswaak (tooth-stick).
4. Wear your best available clothes.
5. Apply perfume.
6. Wake up early in the morning.
7. Go early to the Eid prayer area (Eidgah).
8. Eat something sweet (such as dates) before Eid-ul-Fitr prayer.
9. Give Sadaqatul Fitr before leaving for prayer.
10. Pray Eid Salah in an open area (Eidgah), unless there is a valid reason to pray in a mosque.
11. Return home using a different route than the one taken to the Eidgah.
12. Walk to the Eidgah if possible.
13. Recite the Takbeer softly while going for Eid-ul-Fitr Salah:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
(Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd.)

For Eid-ul-Adha, the Takbeer should be recited loudly.

3. How to Perform Eid Salah

Step-by-Step Method:

1. Make the intention:
   • “I intend to offer two rakat Wajib Eid-ul-Fitr (or Eid-ul-Adha) Salah with six additional Takbeers.”
2. Start with Takbeer-e-Tahrimah (raise hands and say “Allahu Akbar”) and place hands on the chest.
3. Recite Thana’ (Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika…).
4. Say three additional Takbeers:
   • Raise hands with each Takbeer and let them rest at the sides.
   • After the third Takbeer, fold your hands.
5. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah.
6. Perform Ruku and Sujood as normal and stand for the second Rakat.
7. In the second Rakat, recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah first.
8. Before Ruku, say three additional Takbeers:
   • Raise hands and let them rest at the sides after each Takbeer.
   • After the third Takbeer, go directly into Ruku.
9. Complete the prayer as normal.

4. The Eid Khutbah (Sermon)

📢 After the Salah, the Imam delivers two Khutbahs:
✅ The first Khutbah begins with nine Takbeers.
✅ The second Khutbah starts with seven Takbeers.
✅ The Imam sits briefly between the two Khutbahs, just like in Jumu’ah.
✅ Making Dua after Eid Salah or the Khutbah is permissible, as Dua is recommended after every Salah.

5. Special Rules for Eid-ul-Adha

🔹 Same Salah method as Eid-ul-Fitr.
🔹 Key differences:

• No eating before Eid-ul-Adha Salah (unlike Eid-ul-Fitr).
• Takbeers should be recited loudly while going to Eidgah.
• Eid-ul-Adha Salah should be performed earlier, while Eid-ul-Fitr Salah is slightly delayed.
• No Sadaqatul Fitr on Eid-ul-Adha, but Qurbani (sacrifice) is performed instead.

📌 No Adhan or Iqamah for both Eid prayers.

6. Additional Important Points

✅ Takbeer should be recited after the Salah.
✅ If the Imam forgets the Takbeer, the congregation should start it without waiting.
✅ Some scholars consider reciting Takbeer after Eid-ul-Adha Salah as Wajib.
✅ Eid Salah can be performed in multiple locations within a city.
✅ If a person misses Eid Salah, they cannot pray it alone.
✅ If Eid Salah is missed on the first day, it can be performed the next day (only for valid reasons).
✅ If Eid-ul-Adha Salah is delayed until the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, it remains valid but disliked.
✅ If Eid-ul-Fitr Salah is delayed beyond its proper time, it becomes invalid.

7. What If Someone Joins Late?

🔹 If a person joins the Salah late and misses the initial Takbeers:

• If he joins while the Imam is standing, he should say the missed Takbeers immediately.
• If he joins in Ruku, he should say the Takbeers only if he can still catch Ruku.
• If the Imam stands up from Ruku before he finishes, he should stop and follow the Imam.

🔹 If someone misses the first Rakat:

• When making up for it, they should first recite Surah Al-Fatiha, then the additional Takbeers.
• This prevents all Takbeers from being said together, which is not how the Sahabah prayed.

🔹 If the Imam forgets the Takbeers:

• If he remembers in Ruku, he should say them there.
• If he returns to a standing position to say them, the Salah is still valid.
• No Sajdah-e-Sahw is required due to the large congregation.

Final Thoughts

Eid Salah is an essential part of Islamic celebrations, offering a chance for gratitude and community worship. Following the Sunnah ensures we gain the maximum blessings from these special days.

May Allah accept our prayers and grant us happiness and prosperity on Eid. Eid Mubarak! 🎉