How to Pray Salat al-Eid
Salat al-Eid is the special two-rakat congregational prayer offered on the morning of Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) and Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah). It is prayed without an adhan or iqamah, with extra takbeers in each rakat, and is followed by a khutbah delivered by the imam.
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي الْفِطْرِ وَالْأَضْحَى فِي الْأُولَى سَبْعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ، وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ خَمْسًا.
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say seven takbirs in the first rakah and five in the second rakah of the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers.”
Step 1Make ghusl, eat dates (for Eid al-Fitr), and walk to the masjid
It is sunnah to bathe, wear your best clothes, apply perfume, and walk to the prayer ground. For Eid al-Fitr, eat an odd number of dates before leaving; for Eid al-Adha, do not eat until after the prayer.
Step 2Begin with the opening takbeer (Takbir al-Ihram)
After the imam raises his hands and says Allahu Akbar, follow him by raising your hands and saying Allahu Akbar to enter the prayer.
Note
There is no adhan or iqamah for the Eid prayer.
Step 3Say six additional takbeers in the first rakah
After the opening takbeer and before reciting Surah al-Fatihah, say Allahu Akbar six more times — totaling seven in the first rakah. Raise your hands with each takbeer. Between each pair of takbeers, recite quietly: 'Subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illa-Allah, wallahu akbar.'
Arabicاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration
Allahu Akbar
Note
The 7+5 method is the dominant view of the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools, based on the hadith of Aisha (RA). The Hanafi school holds 3+3.
Step 4Recite Surah al-Fatihah and a surah, then complete the first rakah
The imam recites aloud. Sunnah is to recite Surah al-A'la (87) after al-Fatihah in the first rakah. Then perform ruku, two sujood, and stand for the second rakah.
Step 5Say five additional takbeers in the second rakah
After standing for the second rakah and before reciting al-Fatihah, say Allahu Akbar five times. Raise your hands with each takbeer.
Arabicاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration
Allahu Akbar
Note
Note: the takbeer for rising from sujood (the standing-up takbeer) is separate and does not count toward the five.
Step 6Recite al-Fatihah and a surah, then complete the prayer
Sunnah is to recite Surah al-Ghashiyah (88) after al-Fatihah in the second rakah. Complete the rakah, sit for tashahhud, and finish with the salaam.
Step 7Listen to the Eid khutbah
After the prayer ends with salaam, remain seated to listen to the imam's khutbah. The Eid khutbah is sunnah, while the prayer itself is what most scholars classify as wajib or sunnah muakkadah.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Praying it like a regular two-rakat nafl by skipping the extra takbeers entirely.
Leaving immediately after the salaam, missing the khutbah which is part of the sunnah.
Eating before Eid al-Adha prayer (sunnah is to fast until after the prayer and eat from your sacrifice).
Skipping eating dates before Eid al-Fitr prayer (sunnah is to eat an odd number).
Calling adhan or iqamah for the Eid prayer — neither is prescribed.