FAQ EID PRAYER

Guide On
Eid
Prayer
What are eid prayers?
These are 2 rakaat prayers that are highly encouraged to
be done in the mornings of eidulfitri and eiduladha. All
the pillars and conditions of obligatory prayers are
applicable to the eid prayers, except that it is encouraged
for us to add takbir seven times during the first rakaat,
and five times during the second rakaat. We are also
encouraged to read tasbih in between the takbir.
The eid prayers were first practised during the second
hijri year. The first eid prayer that was done by
Rasulullah s.a.w. was the eidulfitri prayer, during the
second hijri year.
What is the ruling for eid prayer?
It is highly encouraged (sunnah muakkadah). This is
because Rasulullah s.a.w. has never missed a single eid
prayer since the day he received the command to
perform it, untill the day he died. The companions also
continued this practice after his death.
Eidulfitri prayer is encouraged to be done in
congregation. However, it is allowed for it to be done
individually. It is also encouraged to be carried out by all
mukallaf – male or female, locals or travellers.
This is based by the hadith from Ummu ‘Atiyyah AlAnsariyyah r.a. who said:
Meaning: “We used to be ordered to come out on the
Day of Eid and even bring out the virgin girls from their
houses and menstruating women so that they might
stand behind the men and say takbir along with them,
and invoke Allah along with them, and hope for the
blessings of that day and for purification from
sins.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
What is the dalil that eid prayer is a sunnah?
There are several hadiths on eid prayers. One of it is
hadith by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudari r.a.
Meaning: “The Prophet used to proceed to the prayer
place on the days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha; the first
thing to begin with was the prayer and after that he
would stand in front of the people and the people would
keep sitting in their rows. Then he would preach to
them, advise them and give them orders.” (Bukhari and
Muslim).
When is the period to perform eid prayers?
Time for eid prayer is from sunrise onwards. This is
based on the hadith by Rasulullah s.a.w:
Meaning: “The first thing that we will do today is to
pray”. (Bukhari and Muslim).
Do we have azan and iqamah for eid prayers?
No we do not. However, we are told to call out the
words: ‘As-solaatu Jamaa-ah’. This is based on the
hadith by Ibnu Abbas r.a.
Meaning: “The azan is not called out (for eid prayers)
during eidulfitri and eiduladha.” (Bukhari and
Muslim)
What is the ruling on listening to khutbah during
eid prayers?
After performing the eid prayers, it is sunnah to read
two sermons (khutbah). The pillars and conditions
for the khutbah are the same as per the normal
Friday khutbah.
Ibn Abbas r.a. had said:
Meaning: “I went out with the Prophet s.a.w. during
eidulfitri and eiduladha; he then prayed and gave
khutbah”. (Bukhari)
During the first khutbah, it is encouraged for us to
read the takbir 9 times, and during the second
khutbah the takbir is 7 times.
Ubaidillah bin Abdullah bin ‘Utbah bin Mas’ud r.a.
said:
Which means: “It is sunnah to begin the first khutbah
with takbir nine consecutive times, and to begin the second
khutbah with takbir seven consecutive times.” (Al-Baihaqi)
What is the niat for eidulfitri prayer?
Usolli Sunnata ‘eiidil fitri rok’ataini adaa-an
makmuuman lillAahi ta’aala
Which means: “I am praying 2 rakaat of sunnah eidulfitri
prayer (as the imam or the follower) for Allah ta’ala”.
What should we recite in between the takbir?
Subhaanallaahi walhamdu lillAahi walaa ilaaha
illallAahu wallAahu akbar
Ertinya: “Maha Suci Allah dan segala kepujian bagi
Allah. Tiada Tuhan melainkan Allah dan Allah Maha
Besar”.
How to Perform Eid Prayer
First Rakaat
Takbiratul Ihram with intention (niat)
Recite Doa Al-Iftitah
Reciting takbir 7 times, with tasbih recited in
between the takbir
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah
Recite one of the Surah in the Al-Quran
(best is to recite Surah al-A’laa)
Continue prayer as per normal until you have
completed the first rakaat
How to Perform Eid Prayer
Second Rakaat
The beginning takbir for the second rakaat
Reciting the takbir 5 times, with tasbih recited in
between the takbir
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah
Recite one of the Surah in the Al-Quran
(best is to recite Surah al- Ghashiyah)
Continue prayer as per normal until you have
completed the second rakaat
Give salam