Ruling on Eid Prayer, Its Obligation, and Important Guidelines
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd:
In my view, Eid prayer is Farḍ ʿAyn — obligatory upon every Muslim man — and it is not permissible to abandon it. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded the performance of this prayer, even instructing women in seclusion to come out for it, and directing menstruating women to attend (for the supplication of Eid), while remaining apart from those performing the prayer.
These evidences show that Eid prayer has been commanded with great emphasis. In my opinion, it is Farḍ ʿAyn, and this is the stronger, more correct view — a view also adopted by Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله.
Eid prayer is similar to Jumuʿah in that if it is missed, it is not to be made up, since there is no authentic evidence for doing so.
O my Muslim brothers! Fear Allah and establish this great prayer, which contains blessings and supplications. This occasion is not only for worship of Allah but also for meeting people, fostering love and unity.
It is unfortunate that when invitations are given to gatherings of entertainment and amusement, people attend them eagerly, yet when invited to this prayer — which is a call from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and a means of reward from Allah — laziness and negligence are shown.
When women attend the Eid prayer, they must:
❀ Stand apart from men, on one side.
❀ Avoid fragrance, adornment, or displaying beauty.
The women once asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! If one of us does not have an outer garment, what should she do?”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((لِتُلْبِسْهَا أُخْتُهَا مِنْ جِلْبَابِهَا))
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, ḥadīth 324; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-ʿĪdayn, ḥadīth 890
“Let her sister clothe her with some of her outer garment.”
This is clear evidence that a woman should go to the Eid congregation fully observing proper hijab. The Prophet ﷺ did not say that she should simply do her best to cover, but that she should even borrow her sister’s jilbab if needed.
The Imam leading the Eid prayer should give a separate sermon to the women if they have not heard the sermon delivered to the men. If they have already heard it, that suffices. However, it is better to conclude the sermon by mentioning specific rulings and advice for women, just as the Prophet ﷺ, after addressing the men on Eid, turned towards the women and advised them.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Ruling on Eid Prayer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd:
In my view, Eid prayer is Farḍ ʿAyn — obligatory upon every Muslim man — and it is not permissible to abandon it. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded the performance of this prayer, even instructing women in seclusion to come out for it, and directing menstruating women to attend (for the supplication of Eid), while remaining apart from those performing the prayer.
Emphasis on Eid Prayer
These evidences show that Eid prayer has been commanded with great emphasis. In my opinion, it is Farḍ ʿAyn, and this is the stronger, more correct view — a view also adopted by Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله.
Making Up Missed Eid Prayer
Eid prayer is similar to Jumuʿah in that if it is missed, it is not to be made up, since there is no authentic evidence for doing so.
- There is also no other obligatory prayer in its place.
- In contrast, if Jumuʿah is missed, Ẓuhr prayer must be performed, since it falls in the time of Ẓuhr.
- Eid prayer, however, has no such replacement if missed.
General Advice
O my Muslim brothers! Fear Allah and establish this great prayer, which contains blessings and supplications. This occasion is not only for worship of Allah but also for meeting people, fostering love and unity.
It is unfortunate that when invitations are given to gatherings of entertainment and amusement, people attend them eagerly, yet when invited to this prayer — which is a call from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and a means of reward from Allah — laziness and negligence are shown.
Special Guidelines for Women
When women attend the Eid prayer, they must:
❀ Stand apart from men, on one side.
❀ Avoid fragrance, adornment, or displaying beauty.
The women once asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! If one of us does not have an outer garment, what should she do?”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((لِتُلْبِسْهَا أُخْتُهَا مِنْ جِلْبَابِهَا))
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, ḥadīth 324; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-ʿĪdayn, ḥadīth 890
“Let her sister clothe her with some of her outer garment.”
This is clear evidence that a woman should go to the Eid congregation fully observing proper hijab. The Prophet ﷺ did not say that she should simply do her best to cover, but that she should even borrow her sister’s jilbab if needed.
Delivering a Sermon to Women
The Imam leading the Eid prayer should give a separate sermon to the women if they have not heard the sermon delivered to the men. If they have already heard it, that suffices. However, it is better to conclude the sermon by mentioning specific rulings and advice for women, just as the Prophet ﷺ, after addressing the men on Eid, turned towards the women and advised them.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
