Can the Eid Prayer Be Delayed to the Second Day?

Question:​

Is it permissible to delay the Eid prayer to the following day after the sighting of the Shawwal moon so that all Muslim workers in factories and offices can obtain leave? Since they do not know in advance which day Eid will fall on, it is difficult for them to inform their supervisors in advance about the specific holiday.

Answer:​

• Eid prayer is a Fard Kifayah (communal obligation). If a sufficient number of people perform it, the obligation is lifted from the rest.
• In Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Islamic centers arrange the Eid prayer as soon as the crescent is sighted, which fulfills the obligation for those who may not be able to attend.
• Delaying the Eid prayer to the 2nd or 3rd of Shawwal simply to accommodate all Muslims (e.g., in London) is not permissible, as this contradicts the consensus (Ijma') of the Sahabah and the Tabi‘in.
• There is no known scholar who has permitted such a delay.
• However, if the news of Eid reaches a community only after midday (Zawal), then delaying the prayer to the next day is allowed.

Conclusion: The Eid prayer should be performed on the day of Eid itself and should not be postponed for convenience.

Allah alone grants success.

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and his companions.

Issued by: The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta (اللجنۃ الدائمۃ).