How is the Eid prayer performed?
The question as asked, details removedIs the Eid prayer obligatory, and what is the method with the extra takbirs?More
This is a sample answer written to show how the site works. It follows the standard Hanafi books, but no mufti has reviewed or signed it yet, so it is not a fatwa. For a real answer, ask a question. Ask a mufti
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ اَللّٰهُمَّ هِدَايَةَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
1Short answer
The Eid prayer is wajib on those on whom Jumu'ah is obligatory. It is two rak'ahs with six extra takbirs: three in the first rak'ah after the thana and before the recitation, and three in the second after the recitation and before ruku. The khutbah comes after the prayer.
2Detailed answer
In the Hanafi school, the prayer of both Eids is wajib on everyone on whom Jumu'ah is obligatory. It has no adhan or iqamah.
Method:
- Intend two rak'ahs of the Eid prayer with six extra takbirs, say the opening takbir and read the thana.
- Say three takbirs, raising the hands to the ears each time; let them hang by the sides after the first two, and fold them after the third.
- The imam recites al-Fatihah and a surah, and the first rak'ah is completed as usual.
- In the second rak'ah, after the recitation, say three takbirs raising the hands and letting them hang each time; then say a fourth takbir without raising the hands and go into ruku.
- Complete the prayer, then listen to the khutbah, which is sunnah and comes after the prayer.
Someone who joins late makes up the missed takbirs according to rules the imam or a scholar can explain.
3Evidence and sources
- Qur'an, Al-Kawthar 108:2
- Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Prayer
- Bahar-e-Shariat, chapter on the Eid prayer
Arabic texts, translations and how the ruling was derived
كان يكبر أربعا تكبيره على الجنائز
Meaning: He would say four takbirs, like his takbirs at funerals.
Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash'ari said this when asked how the Prophet ﷺ made takbir in the Eid prayers. Four in each rak'ah, counting the opening takbir in the first and the ruku takbir in the second, gives three extra in each: six in all, which is the Hanafi practice.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ