Eid al-Fitr Prayer: Authentic Rulings and Practices from Hadith

Compiled by: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam حفظه الله

Performing Ghusl (Ritual Bath) on Eid Day:​

Multiple authentic narrations from Companions like Salamah ibn al-Akwaʿ, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar, Abū Rāfiʿ, Abū Hurayrah, Fākih ibn Saʿd, Ibn ʿAbbās, Sā’ib ibn Yazīd, and ʿAlī رضي الله عنهم confirm that:

✔ It is recommended (Mustahabb) to perform Ghusl before going to the Eid prayer.

Wearing Fine Clothes and Perfume:​

• Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ instructed wearing fine clothes and applying perfume on Eid.
• Also, using Miswaak is recommended.
  (Muwatta Ibn Wahb, al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ, etc.)

Reciting Takbir Loudly on the Way to Eid:​

• ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه and others would recite loud Takbīrāt on their way to the prayer ground:
  
  ❝ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ ❞

🏞 Eid Prayer Should Be Performed in an Open Field (Muṣallā):​

• The Prophet ﷺ consistently prayed Eid in the open ground.
• Praying in the mosque is allowed in case of necessity, such as rain.
  (References: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Sunan Abū Dāwūd, al-Sunan al-Kubrā)
  

Women Attending Eid Prayer:​

• The Prophet ﷺ instructed that even women, including menstruating ones, should attend the Eid congregation, though they do not participate in prayer.
  (Saḥīḥ Muslim)

Going to Eid on Foot:​

• The Prophet ﷺ used to walk to the Eid ground and return the same way.
  (Sunan Ibn Mājah – Hasan)

Changing Paths When Going and Returning from Eid:​

• The Prophet ﷺ would return using a different route than the one he took to reach the Eid place.
  (Saḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Mustadrak)

🍽 Eating Before Eid al-Fitr Prayer:​

• The Prophet ﷺ did not leave for Eid al-Fitr without eating, typically odd-numbered dates.
  (Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah – Ḥasan)

No Adhān or Iqāmah for Eid Prayer:​

• Eid prayers are performed without Adhān or Iqāmah.
  (Saḥīḥ Muslim)

No Voluntary Prayers Before or After Eid at the Muṣallā:​

• The Prophet ﷺ did not pray any Sunnah or Nafl before or after Eid prayer at the Muṣallā.
  (Musnad al-Shāfiʿī, Saḥīḥ Bukhārī)
  

Eid al-Fitr Prayer Consists of Two Rakʿāt:​

• The Prophet ﷺ prayed two Rakʿāt only, without any additional prayers before or after.
  (Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)

🕊 Number of Takbīrs in Eid Prayer:​

• 7 Takbīrs in the first Rakʿah before the recitation
• 5 Takbīrs in the second Rakʿah before the recitation
  (Muwatta, Sunan Ibn Mājah – Ḥasan)

✔ Raising hands (Rafʿ al-Yadayn) at each Takbīr is supported by authentic reports.

Recitation of Surahs in Eid Prayer:​

• The Prophet ﷺ would recite Sūrah al-Aʿlā and Sūrah al-Ghāshiyah during Eid and Friday prayers.
  (Saḥīḥ Muslim)

🗣 Delivering the Khutbah after Eid Prayer:​

• The Eid sermon comes after the prayer, not before.
• No mimbar (pulpit) was used; however, the Prophet ﷺ sometimes gave the sermon while mounted or supported by a bow.
  (Various Hadiths – All Hasan or Sahih)

Praying at Home After Eid Prayer:​

• After returning home from Eid, two Rakʿāt of prayer may be offered.
  (Sunan Ibn Mājah – Ḥasan)

Time for Eid Prayer:​

• Eid prayer should be offered after the sun rises to a spear’s height and before Zawāl (midday).
• Delaying it beyond Zawāl is impermissible.
  (Sunan Abū Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah – Ṣaḥīḥ)

Saying “Taqabbalallāhu minnā wa minkum” on Eid:​

• Though mursal or weak as Marfūʿ Hadith, the practice is established through authentic reports from Companions and Tabiʿīn, and is therefore permissible and recommended.

What If One Misses Eid Prayer?​

• If someone misses the Eid prayer, he may pray four Rakʿāt individually.
  (Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah – Hasan)