The Prayer of Eid offered on the occasion of Eid is called Salat al-Eid and Salat al-Eidain. It is offered on the two special festivals of Islam, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
It is collectively called Eidain.
Timing Of the Prayer Offered at Eid:
The correct time for reciting the prayers of Eid, Salat al-Eid is when the sun is about 2 meters over the horizon up to the time it reaches its meridian before prayer of Dhuhr. Based on the Sunnah, the time for the prayers of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are different:
Prayer of Eid al-fitr is delayed so that the Fitrah can be distributed before the prayers
Prayer of Eid al-Adha is hastened so there is enough time to offer the sacrifice after the prayers of Eid al-Adha.
Procedure Of Reciting the Prayer of Eid:
Let us take a look at the protocol for reciting Eid Prayers –
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- When Should the Process of Giving The Takbir Start and End?
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- On Eid al-Fitr, as one starts for the prayer place, Takbir should be started.
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- This is because Az-Zuhri (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger leave his house on the day of Fitr, saying takbir until he reached the place of offering prayers.
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- Recitation of the Takbir can cease only after the completion of the prayers.
Some variations can be found like:
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- Imam Al Sha’afi wants to recite the takbeer from the night that the new moon of Shawwaal is sighted till they reach the prayer-place the next morning.
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- Some Takbir Wordings
As reported by Sahabas one can choose any of the following wording:
1. “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l- hamd” – recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah and al-Muhamili from Ibn Mas’ud (RA) authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654
Meaning of the above Takbir: Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allaah
2. “Allahu akbaru kabira; Allahu akbaru kabira; Allahu akbaru wa-ajall; Allahu akbaru, wa-lillah il-hamd” – Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah from Ibn ‘Abbas (RA). Authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654
Meaning of the above Takbir: Allah is the Greatest – Great indeed; Allah is the Greatest – Great indeed; Allah is the Greatest and the Most Majestic; Allah is the Greatest; and to Allah belongs all praise.
3. “Allahu Akbar; Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa-lillah ilhamd, Allahu akbaru wa-ajall, Alahu akbaru ‘ala ma hadana” – Recorded by al-Muhamili from Ibn ‘Abbas (RA). Authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654
Meaning of the above Takbir: Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; and to Allah belongs all praise. Allah is the Greatest and the Most Majestic; Allah is the Greatest for guiding us
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- Starting With The Prayer of Eid
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- There should not be any Sunnah or Nafil prayer before starting the prayers for Eid.
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- Daily prayers usually start with an Iqamah or Adhan. For Prayer of Eid this is not done. No Iqamah or Adhan precedes the Prayer of Eid.
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- Difference of Fajr Prayer and Jummah Prayers from Prayer of Eid
The prayer of Eid is similar to the Fajr prayers and prayers for Jumu’ah. Only one difference is there that there are some additional Takbirs. Another difference with Jummah prayers is that the on Eid the prayer is offered before the Khutbah.
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- Number of Rak’at in the Prayer of Eid
The Prayer of Eid is one which consists of the imam attending and leading the people to pray two Rakahs.
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- The Extra Takbirs In The Prayer of Eid
The Prayer of Eid has extra seven Takbeers in the first Rak’ah while the second Rak’ah contains five extra takbeers apart from the usual takbeers.
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- Why is Takbeer said before the Quran Recitation?
The Takbirs should be uttered before the recitation of the Quran as reported by ‘Abduallah bin ‘Amr (RA)
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- What Happens after the Recitation of Quran?
After recitation of Quran you follow the usual steps that follow any other prayer.