How the two Eid prayers are prayed, the practices reported from the Prophet ﷺ, and the differences between the schools.
AI-generated English narration.
Muslims celebrate two festivals each year: Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, in the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Each begins with a congregational prayer of two rak‘ahs, usually prayed in an open ground or a large mosque, followed by a sermon.
What the reports say
- Anas reported that the Prophet ﷺ would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates (Sahih al-Bukhari 953).
- Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr and Umar prayed the two Eid prayers before the sermon (Sahih al-Bukhari 963).
- Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ prayed two rak‘ahs on the day of Eid al-Fitr and did not pray before or after them (Sahih al-Bukhari 964).
- Al-Bara reported that the Prophet ﷺ said the first thing to be done on the day of Eid al-Adha is to pray, and afterwards to return and sacrifice (Sahih al-Bukhari 951).
- Umm Atiyyah reported that women, including virgin girls and menstruating women, were told to come out on the day of Eid, to say the takbir and to make du’a with the people (Sahih al-Bukhari 971).
Reports from Ibn Abbas and Jabir also state that there was no adhan for the prayer of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Sahih al-Bukhari 958).
Practical steps
- Many scholars recommend bathing, wearing your best clothes, and going to the prayer place early.
- On Eid al-Fitr, eat a few dates before going out; on Eid al-Adha, pray first and sacrifice afterwards.
- Stay for the sermon and greet one another.
Key points
- There are two festivals in the year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, each marked by a congregational prayer of two rak‘ahs.
- The prayer is followed by a sermon; reports from Ibn Abbas and Jabir say there was no adhan for the Eid prayers.
- The Prophet ﷺ encouraged women, including those who are menstruating, to attend the gathering, with those who are menstruating staying apart from the prayer area.
- Scholars differ on the status of the prayer and on the number of extra takbirs.
Hadith
Narrated Anas bin Malik:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of `Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat odd number of dates.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 953 .
Narrated Ibn `Umar:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), Abu Bakr and `Umar! used to offer the two `Id prayers before delivering the Khutba.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 963 .
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:The Prophet (ﷺ) offered a two rak`at prayer on the Day of Id ul Fitr and he did not pray before or after it. Then he went towards women along with Bilal and ordered them to pay alms and so they started giving their earrings and necklaces (in charity)
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 964 .
Narrated Um `Atiya:We used to be ordered to come out on the Day of `Id 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.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 971 .
Narrated Al-Bara':I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) delivering a Khutba saying, "The first thing to be done on this day (first day of `Id ul Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions)."
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 951 .
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
Scholarly notes
Status: the Hanafi school regards the Eid prayer as wajib, the Maliki and Shafi‘i schools as a strongly recommended sunnah, and the Hanbali school as a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Extra takbirs: the Hanafi school prays with three extra takbirs in each rak‘ah, while the Maliki, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools generally hold seven in the first rak‘ah and five in the second. Women’s attendance and the venue of the prayer are also treated differently in different places. Follow the practice of your local mosque and school.
FAQ
Is there an adhan or iqamah for Eid?
According to the reports above, there was no adhan for the Eid prayers in the time of the Prophet ﷺ.
What if I miss the Eid prayer?
Scholars differ on whether and how it is made up. Ask your local teacher, and try to attend the congregation where possible.
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