Eid Al-Fitr is usually celebrated immediately after the month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal. It usually marks the end of Ramadan. It is an auspicious day that sees Muslims around the world come together to praise, glorify, and gratify Allah SWT, celebrate, and rejoice in the completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
And Eid prayer is one of the signs of the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr. And since one can be slightly confused about how to perform Eid Salat, we provide in this guide all you want to know about this prayer.
The Eid prayer
The Eid prayer is wajib on every sane adult male. It can be performed at any time between Ishraq and Zawal. It is a sunnah to pray in an open field. Eid salah is valid only in congregation at the Jumuah mosque.
In the context of spirituality, our Prophet Muhammad PBUH never misses Eid salah from the start the prayer has been commanded. Though the prayer itself is Sunnah Muakkad, a prayer that our prophet continuously did and has rarely abandoned in his lifetime.
And in the context of society based, well at the time of prayer, before and after, we will be open to people around us, our family and all, so we can meet with friends, donate to charity, share our Love and all.
It’s a good time to meet, forgive, and forgive our relatives and friends during this time. Prayer is an important part of Eid celebrations where Muslims give thanks to Allah S.W.T.
What is the time of Eid Prayer?
Eid prayer is prayed on Eid day early in the morning 15 minutes after sunrise and lasts until 15 minutes before Zuhur. Muslims are encouraged to pray in congregation with other Muslim communities. The celebration of Eid Al-Fitr lasts for up to three days and is welcomed with Eid Salah.
How to perform Eid prayer?
Eid prayer is the most prominent sign of Eid Al Fitr where all Muslims gather in one Salah under one roof as a way to thank Allah. So it is crucial to know the proper way to perform this prayer step by step as follows:
1. Wake up early and have a bath for Eid prayer
Rise early and wash your body in Sunnah from the prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. so you can start by brushing your teeth, washing your body, putting on perfumes, and wearing the finest clothes for Eid Salah.
Men wear white jellaba as a sign of purity, and women and kids wear new clothes. As it is a special prayer you should prepare yourself well for it to be different from your normal habits.
2. Eat an odd number of dates before the Eid salat
It is recommended to eat something sweet like dates before heading to Eid prayer. Eating an odd number of dates like how the prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H used to eat in the morning on Eid Al-Fitr.
3. Say Takbeer on the way to Eid Salat
Takbeer Eid prayer is another significant sign of Eid, as Muslims used to recite Takbeer on their way to the place of the prayer.
The prayer of Eid has two rakats, however, it has extra ‘takbeers’. Takbeer refers to when “Allah-Hu- Akbar” is said to begin the prayer and one raises the hands to the ears.
The Eid salat is performed without any adhan or iqamah and consists of two rakats with six extra takbeers, three at the beginning of the first rak’ah and three at the end of the second rak’ah just before the ruku.
The Shafi’i method differs from the Hanafi method slightly concerning the takbeers. There are twelve extra takbirs, six at the beginning of the first rak’ah and six at the beginning of the second.
4. Make an intention for Eid prayer
Intentions are very crucial in Islamic tradition, as they believe that they will be rewarded for their intentions before their actions. So on the way to Eid salat think internally and make an intention to pray Eid Salat two rakat for Allah S.W.t.
5. Follow the lead of Imam
Make sure to follow the lead of the f Imam especially if you don’t know how to perform the Eid prayer. During performing Eid Salat imam will read Surah Qaf, Surah Al-A’la, or Surah Al-Kafiroon in the first rak’ah after Al-Fatihah, and read Surah Al-Ikhlas or Surah Al-Qamar in the second rak’ah. as it is Sunnah narrated from the prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H.
6. Listen to Eid prayer khutbah
It is time to listen to khutbah like the one in Friday prayer, where the imam explains to the Muslims significance and rules of Eid, and encourages them with his Sunnah and etiquette. As It is a Sunnah narrated from the Prophet peace be upon him and blessings.
7. Greet your family and friends after praying
Wish Eid Mubarak to your friends and your family after the Eid Prayer. Then We wish happy Eid Mubarak at Mosques or out of Mosques to all relatives and friends.
The Sahabah used to greet each other with “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept it from us and you). Or “May Allah accept all our fasts and other acts of worship”.
This is also a special time to get together and spend more time with your family, as Eid is only twice a year which makes it a special occasion.
8. Take a different route home after the Eid praying
One more final thing is to walk home on a different route after praying with family and friends. It is a sunnah narrated from the prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. as both routes you take will witness that you attend this prayer on the day of judgment.
Finally, don’t forget to pay your Zakat Al Fitr before the Eid prayer, so that the poor can be prepared for Eid day. Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for every person in your house including children and the elderly. And remember to be the good version you used to be in the holy month of Ramadan, and thank Allah for all blessings and good.
