How to Perform the Eid Prayer

The most distinctive act of worship of the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivals is the Eid prayer that fills the mosques in the early morning. Because its order differs from the ordinary daily prayers, performing it correctly requires knowing its ruling, its time, and above all the placement of the extra Takbirs known as the "zawa'id" Takbirs. In this guide we explain, step by step and from trustworthy sources, how the Eid prayer is performed.

What Is the Eid Prayer?

The Eid prayer is a two-rak'ah prayer performed in congregation on the first day of the two annual festivals — Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — after the sun has risen. As noted in the "Bayram" entry of the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, both Eid prayers began to be observed from the second year of the Hijrah.

Two things set this prayer apart from the ordinary obligatory prayers. First, it is preceded by neither adhan nor iqamah; instead the congregation gathers early in the mosque. Second, within the prayer itself, extra Takbirs called "zawa'id" are pronounced in addition to the usual ones. In this respect the Eid prayer is the finest expression of believers greeting the festival morning together, in a shared spirit of gratitude and Takbir. You can review the general principles of the prayer in our guide on how to perform Salah.

The Ruling of the Eid Prayer

The schools of Islamic law differ on the ruling of the Eid prayer. According to the "Bayram" entry of the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam:

• In the Hanafi school the Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory). The common practice in Turkey rests on this view.
• In the Hanbali school it is fard kifayah — a communal obligation, so once a sufficient number perform it the obligation is lifted from the rest.
• In the Shafi'i school it is a sunnah for every man and woman upon whom the five daily prayers are obligatory.
• In the Maliki school it is a stressed sunnah (sunnah muakkadah) — a strongly recommended practice whose neglect is disliked.

In the Hanafi school, performing the Eid prayer in congregation is a condition for its validity. Someone who, for any reason, cannot join the congregation is not required to make it up or to perform it individually.

The Time of the Eid Prayer

The time of the Eid prayer begins once the sun has risen and climbed a little. When the makruh (disliked) interval right after sunrise has passed, the prayer may be performed, and this window lasts until zawal — the point before midday when the sun approaches its zenith. In practice the Eid prayer is offered on the first day of the festival, after the Fajr prayer, once the sun has risen high enough.

Accordingly, the Eid prayer has no adhan or iqamah of its own; once the congregation has gathered in the mosque, the imam begins leading the prayer directly.

How to Perform the Eid Prayer (Step by Step)

According to the guidance of the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs), the Eid prayer is performed as two rak'ahs in the following order. The extra Takbirs are pronounced three times in each rak'ah.

First Rak'ah

1. Intention and opening Takbir: One intends, "I intend to perform the Eid prayer for the sake of Allah, following the imam." The imam says "Allahu akbar" aloud and the congregation silently, and the hands are folded.
2. Subhanaka: After the opening Takbir, Subhanaka is recited silently.
3. Zawa'id Takbirs (three times): At each Takbir the hands are raised to the level of the ears and then let down to the sides. Between each Takbir one pauses for about the length of a tasbih (the time it takes to say "Subhanallah"). After the third Takbir the hands are folded.
4. Recitation: The imam recites al-Fatiha and then a surah.
5. The first rak'ah is completed with ruku and the prostrations.

Second Rak'ah

1. Recitation: First al-Fatiha and then a surah are recited.
2. Zawa'id Takbirs (three times): After the recitation, three Takbirs are again pronounced with the hands raised and let down; after these the hands are not folded.
3. Ruku Takbir: As a fourth Takbir, one says "Allahu akbar" and goes directly into ruku without raising the hands.
4. The prayer is completed with the prostrations, the sitting, and the salam.

The Eid Sermon

Once the prayer is complete, the imam ascends the minbar and delivers the Eid sermon. As noted in the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, unlike the Friday sermon the Eid sermon is delivered after the prayer, and its ruling is sunnah. Listening to the sermon is part of the etiquette of the Eid prayer.

The Eid Prayer in the Qur'an and the Sunnah

In the Qur'an, glad tidings are given to the one who purifies themselves and, remembering their Lord, prays:

He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord and prays.

In the Diyanet tafsir, it is noted that some exegetes take "and prays" in this verse to refer to the Eid prayer; it is also reported that the Prophet frequently recited Surah al-A'la in the Eid prayers. You may explore the other surahs and their meanings in our Qur'an section.

That the Eid prayer is offered as two rak'ahs, with no other prayer before or after it, is established by authentic reports:

On the day of Eid al-Fitr the Prophet led a two-rak'ah (Eid) prayer; he prayed neither before it nor after it.

Including women and young people in the blessing of the festival morning is part of the Prophet's Sunnah. Umm Atiyya (may Allah be pleased with her) reports:

Our Prophet ordered us to bring out the young girls and the secluded virgins (to the prayer ground) on Eid day; the menstruating women, however, would keep away from the place of prayer.

This report shows that the Eid prayer is not merely an act of worship but also an occasion of unity and joy that embraces every member of the community. You may read more authentic narrations in our hadith section.

Points to Bear in Mind

• Differences between the schools: The schools differ in the number and placement of the zawa'id Takbirs. The description above follows the Hanafi practice common in Turkey.
• The Takbir al-Tashriq specific to Eid al-Adha: During Eid al-Adha, the zawa'id Takbirs inside the Eid prayer are distinct from the "Takbir al-Tashriq" pronounced after the obligatory prayers on the festival days; the latter is a separate practice. You can reflect on the meaning of the qurbani in our sermon on Qurban.
• The fruit of Ramadan: The Eid al-Fitr prayer is a prayer of gratitude that follows a month-long season of fasting and worship. We covered the merits of this blessed month in our article on the virtues of Ramadan.

Conclusion

Despite its simple structure, the Eid prayer is one of the most joyful acts of worship that believers experience together twice a year. Consisting of two rak'ahs, six extra Takbirs, and a sermon that follows, this prayer is an expression of gratitude and Takbir after a month of fasting or the season of Hajj. Anyone who grasps the placement of the zawa'id Takbirs once can perform this prayer with ease. Going to the mosque early on the morning of Eid, forming the lines, and joining this atmosphere of unity is the finest way to live the true meaning of the festival.

References

1. "Bayram" entry — TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (islamansiklopedisi.org.tr).
2. "How is the Eid prayer performed?" — Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs), Düzce Provincial Mufti's Office (duzce.diyanet.gov.tr).
3. Surah al-A'la 14-15 and the tafsir of verses 9-15 — kuran.diyanet.gov.tr (Diyanet translation and tafsir).
4. Sahih al-Bukhari, The Two Eids, Hadith No. 964 — from Ibn Abbas (verified via sunnah.com / islamicfinder.org).
5. Sahih al-Bukhari, The Two Eids, Hadith No. 974 — from Umm Atiyya (verified via sunnah.com / islamicfinder.org).