Muslims celebrate two festivals each year. Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha comes in the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Each one begins with a congregational prayer of two rak'ahs, usually prayed in an open ground or a large mosque, followed by a sermon.

Several reports describe how the Prophet, peace be upon him, marked these days. Anas reported that he would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, in Sahih al-Bukhari, number nine hundred and fifty-three. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar prayed the two Eid prayers before the sermon, in Sahih al-Bukhari, number nine hundred and sixty-three. Ibn Abbas reported that on Eid al-Fitr he prayed two rak'ahs, and did not pray before or after them, in number nine hundred and sixty-four. And Al-Bara reported that he said the first thing to be done on the day of Eid al-Adha is to pray, and afterwards to return and sacrifice, in number nine hundred and fifty-one.

The day was meant for everyone. Umm Atiyyah reported that women, including young girls and menstruating women, were told to come out on the day of Eid, to join in glorifying Allah, and to make supplication with the people, in Sahih al-Bukhari, number nine hundred and seventy-one. Those who were menstruating stayed apart from the prayer area itself. Reports from Ibn Abbas and Jabir also state that there was no call to prayer, no adhan, for the Eid prayers.

In practice, 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.

The schools differ on some details. On its 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. On the extra takbirs said in the prayer, the Hanafi school has three extra in each rak'ah, while the other three schools generally hold seven in the first rak'ah and five in the second. Women's attendance and the venue are also treated differently in different places. Follow the practice of your local mosque and school, and if you miss the prayer, ask your local teacher whether and how it is made up.