In a few days, Muslims will take to the streets and squares in multitudes for Eid prayers, filling them up with chants of “Allahu Akbar” (Greatness to Allah / Allah is The Most Great) to celebrate Eid by offering congregational prayers in open air.
Here we will learn the following:
- What are the two Eid prayers?
- What is the importance of Eid prayer?
- Why do Muslims pray Eid in the streets?
- How to prepare for Salat Al-Eid?
- How many rak’at in Eid prayer?
- How do you pray Eid prayer?
- Eid prayer du’aa
- What’s the significance of chanting Takbir over and over again?
- Is Eid prayer compulsory for women?
- Can you do Eid prayer at home?
- To conclude
What are the two Eid prayers?
Muslims pray on the streets Eid prayers on Eid-ul-Fitr (the day of the breaking of the fast) and on Eid-ul-Adha (the day of sacrifice), in open areas to perform their Islamic ritual, meet together to congratulate one another and rejoice the bounties of their Lord.
Narrated Aisha RAA:
“The Messenger of Allah PBUH would say the Takbir (Allah is The Most Great) seven times in the first rak’ah and five times in the second rak’ah on the day of the breaking of the fast and on the day of sacrifice (on the occasion of both the Eid prayers, the two days of festivities)”.
[Sunan Abi Dawud]
What is the importance of Eid prayer?
Muslims are rejoicing at what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty (rewards and forgiveness), and that He has guided and helped them to perform ordained ‘Ibadat (worships).
As it’s known, fasting is hard, so Allah gives His believers Eid-ul-Fitr (a feast after the month of Ramadan). Also, Hajj (pilgrimage) is hard, so it is followed by Eid-ul-Adha. Thus, every hard act of worship is followed by ease, feasting and celebrations, Eid (days of festivity).
Why do Muslims pray Eid in the streets?
Eid prayer is one of the prescribed teachings in Qur’an and by the Messenger of Allah PBUH so, Muslims follow the Qur’an’s and Sunnah’s teachings.
Gathering in large numbers of Muslims in one place to attend the prayer and perform the Islamic ritual together. Rejoicing and celebrating the bounties of their Lord they gained and forgiveness.
How to prepare for Salat Al-Eid?
A Muslim performs Ghusl (major purification) before prayers, eats an odd number of dates, dresses up and wears festive clothes in happiness and gratitude to Allah.
Also, exchanges greetings and well-wishes with family members and friends by saying Taqabbalallahu Minna wa Minkum – May Allah accept (all worship) from us and from you.
How many rak’at in Eid prayer?
Eid prayer is two Rak’at (units of prayer) done in a special manner in open air areas followed by the Khutba (preaching), following the Sunnah of the Messenger PBUH.
How do you pray Eid prayer?
Eid prayer time starts 15 minutes after sunrise and lasts until 10 to 15 minutes before Dhuhr (midday).
Muslims in their usual prayer start their Salaht with one Takbirah/ Takbirat-ul-ihram (to stand facing the Ka’bah with hands close to ears saying Allahu-Akbar, which means Allah is the Greatest).
In Eid prayer, they start with Takbirat-ul-ihram followed by seven Takbirat in the first Rak’ah and five Takbirat in the second Rak’ah. After Salaht then comes the Khutba (preaching).
Abu said Al-khudri narrated:
“The Prophet PBUH used to proceed to the Musalla (out of Masjid/ open area) on the days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha; the first thing to begin with was the prayer and after that he would stand in front of the people and the people would keep sitting in their rows. Then he would preach to them, advise them and give them orders, (i.e. Khutba).” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
It is Sunnah going to the Musalla from one way and returning from another, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Abu Hurairah narrated that when the Prophet PBUH went out to Eid (prayers), he would return via another route than the first one he took. [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Eid prayer du’aa
Takbir (saying Allahu-Akbar) is a confirmed Eid Sunnah of the Messenger PBUH.
It is prescribed for the Muslims to recite Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”), Tasbeeh (“Subhaan Allaah”), Tahleel (“Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”) and Tahmeed (“al-hamdu Lillaah”).
Imam al-Shafi’i RAA said:
If he adds to that and says: “Allahu akbaru kabira wa alhamdu Lillahi kathira wa subhan Allahi bukratan wa asila, Allahu akbar wa la na‘budu illa Allah mukhlisina lahu al-dina wa law kariha al-kaafirun, la ilaha illa-Allah wahdahu, sadaqa wa‘dah wa nasara ‘abdah wa hazama al-ahzaba wahdah, la ilaha illa-Allah wa Allahu akbar
(Allah is most Great, much praise be to Allah and glory be to Allah at the beginning and end of the day. Allah is most Great and we worship none but Allah, and we make our worship purely for Him (Alone) however much the disbelievers may hate that. There is no god but Allah Alone; He fulfilled His promise and granted victory to His slave and defeated the Confederates Alone. There is no God but Allah and Allah is most Great),” then he has done well.
(Al-Umm, 1/241)
It should be done on the night before and on the morning of Eid, until the end of the khutbah on the day of Eid ul-Fitr and during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah until the end of the days of Tashreeq on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha because Allah SWT says concerning Eid ul-Fitr in Quran (interpretation of the meaning):
“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you”
[2:185]
“وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ“
What’s the significance of chanting Takbir over and over again?
Saying Allahu Akbar is a declaration to the Greatness of Allah and hat Allah is greater than our desires so, we sacrifice our bodily needs in the month of Ramadan. Also, Allah is greater than our money that we pay, and effort that we do to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) so, we offer them in submission and obedience. Muslims show in everything they do that Allahu Akbar.
Allahu Akbar when we obey Him. Allahu Akbar during our rejoicing. Allahu Akbar in our prayers.
Is Eid prayer compulsory for women?
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH commanded women to participate in Eid prayer, even menstruating women should attend and do Du’aa but not pray as a confirmed recommendation (get rewarded for doing but no punishment for foregoing).
Narrated Um Atiya RAA:
“We used to be ordered to come out on the Day of Eid and even bring out the young 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]
Even women who don’t have a dress or veil, he ordered them to borrow one from their friends to be able to participate.
Umm Atiyyah narrated:
“Allah’s Messenger would order the young girls, the mature women, the secluded and the menstruating to go out for the two Eid prayers. As for the menstruating women, they were to stay away from the Musalla and participate in the Muslims supplications.” One of them said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What if she does not have a Jilbab? He said: ‘Then let her sister lend her a Jilbab.’“
[Jami at-Tirmidhi]
Can you do Eid prayer at home?
Yes, according to Muslim scholars Eid prayer may be done at home alone or even better in Jama’ah (Congregation) but certainly doing it in the recommended way is better and more rewarding.
It is the same as the prayer for Eid at the Masjid but there will be no khutbah (Eid sermon).
To conclude
Eid prayer in the streets is a confirmed Sunnah not a power parade. It is just a performance of an Islamic ritual and a sign of obedience and gratitude to Allah.
Muslims meet together to congratulate one another for the forgiveness and bounties of Allah and rejoice for the wellness on Eid.
Why not share Muslims at your city the next Eid and tell us of your experience?
Eid Mubarak
