The Eid Prayers: Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha

Muslims celebrate two Eids each year: Eid ul-Fitr (عید الفطر) after Ramadan, and Eid ul-Adha (عید الأضحى) on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah during the Hajj season. Both are marked by a special congregational prayer—the Eid prayer (صلاة العيد)—which brings the community together in joy and gratitude.

Eid ul-Fitr The Festival of Breaking the Fast. It falls on the 1st of Shawwal, the day after the last day of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate the completion of a month of fasting and thank Allah for His blessings.

Eid ul-Adha The Festival of Sacrifice. It falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah during the days of Hajj. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. Muslims who can afford it offer an animal sacrifice (udhiyah) on this day.

Structure of the Eid Prayer The Eid prayer consists of two rakah. Unlike the daily prayers, there is no adhan or iqamah before it. The prayer is preceded by the takbeer—the congregation recites "Allahu Akbar" together. The distinctive feature is extra takbeers in each rakah:

First rakah: Opening takbeer + additional takbeers (Hanafi: 3 extra; Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali: 7 extra) + Surah Al-Fatiha + a surah (often Al-A'la) + ruku and sujood

Second rakah: Additional takbeers (Hanafi: 3 extra; Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali: 5 extra) + Surah Al-Fatiha + a surah (often Al-Ghashiyah) + ruku and sujood

Khutbah The sermon (khutbah) is delivered after the prayer, not before—unlike the Friday prayer. The imam addresses the congregation with reminders of gratitude, sacrifice, and unity.

Takbeer of Eid The takbeer recited before the Eid prayer and on the way to the prayer ground:

"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Allah."

Sunnah of Eid Before Eid ul-Fitr prayer, it is sunnah to eat something sweet (e.g., dates). Before Eid ul-Adha prayer, it is sunnah to eat after the prayer—ideally from the sacrifice. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would wear his best clothes and take a different route to and from the prayer ground on Eid.

Virtue The Eid prayer is a sunnah mu'akkadah (strongly recommended) for both men and women. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and community—a reminder that Islam celebrates both spiritual discipline (Ramadan) and submission to Allah's command (the sacrifice of Ibrahim).