The Complete Sunnah Method of Eid Prayer and the Sunnah of the Sermon
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
What is the complete and correct method of performing the Eid prayers (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha)?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd:
Sunnah Method of Eid Prayer
General Structure
◈ The Eid prayer consists of two rakʿahs performed by the Imam in congregation.
First Rakʿah
◈ The Imam says the Takbeer al-Taḥreemah (saying “Allāhu Akbar” to begin the prayer).
◈ After that, he says six additional Takbeerat aloud.
◈ Then he recites Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
◈ After al-Fātiḥah, he recites Sūrah Qāf.
Second Rakʿah
◈ Upon rising from sujood, the Imam says five additional Takbeerat aloud.
◈ Then he recites Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
◈ After al-Fātiḥah, he recites Sūrah al-Qamar.
Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
◈ The Prophet ﷺ used to recite Sūrah Qāf in the first rakʿah and Sūrah al-Qamar in the second rakʿah during the Eid prayers.
◈ Alternatively:
◈ In the first rakʿah, Sūrah al-Aʿlā
◈ In the second rakʿah, Sūrah al-Ghāshiyah
Comparison Between Jumuʿah and Eid Prayers
◈ Shared Surahs: Sūrah al-Aʿlā and Sūrah al-Ghāshiyah are common to both.
◈ Specific to Eid: Sūrah Qāf and Sūrah al-Qamar are specific to Eid prayers.
◈ Specific to Jumuʿah: The Prophet ﷺ would also recite Sūrah al-Jumuʿah and Sūrah al-Munāfiqūn in Jumuʿah prayer.
Reviving the Sunnah
◈ The Imam should recite these Surahs so that the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ is revived.
◈ This will acquaint the Muslims with the Sunnah and remove any unfamiliarity in recitation.
The Eid Sermon
◈ The Imam should deliver the sermon after the prayer.
◈ In the sermon:
◈ A portion should be dedicated specifically to women.
◈ Teach them the rulings that are obligatory upon them.
◈ Advise them to avoid prohibited matters.
◈ This was the consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
