Importance of Eid Prayer

Umar ibn Al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The prayer of al-Fitr is two rak’ahs and the prayer of al-Adha is two rak’ahs, complete and not shortened, on the tongue of your Prophet ﷺ, and the one who fabricates lies is doomed”

- Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 1420 and Ibn Khuzaymah. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i

It was also narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to come out on the day of al-Fitr and al-Adha to the prayer place, and the first thing he would do was to offer the prayer.

- Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 956

Eid Prayer Description

In the first rak’ah he should say Takbeerat al-ihraam (say “Allahu akbar” to start the prayer), after which he should say six or seven more takbeers, because of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) “The takbeer of al-Fitr and al-Adha is seven takbeers in the first rak’ah and five takbeers in the second, apart from the takbeer of rukoo’”

- Narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 639.

Then he should recite al-Faatihah, and recite Soorat Qaf in the first rak’ah. In the second rak’ah he should say takbeer five times, and recite Soorat al-Faatihah then Soorat al-Qamr. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite these two soorahs during the two Eids. Or if he wishes he can recite Soorat al-A’la in the first rak’ah and Soorat al-Ghaashiyah in the second, because it was narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to recite al-A’la and al-haashiyah in the Eid prayer.

Post Prayer Khutbah

After the prayer, the imam should address the people. Part of the khutbah should be addressed specifically to the women, telling them of the things that they should do and warn them against the things that they should avoid, as the Prophet ﷺ used to do.