This article is derived from the book "Salah Mustafa ﷺ" authored by the esteemed Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
It consists of two Rak'ahs performed with audible recitation and in congregation.
Before the recitation in the first and second Rak'ahs, seven and five Takbirs respectively are said, as narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As رضي الله عنهما.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه would also pronounce twelve Takbirs during the Eid prayers.
(Muwatta Malik, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Takbir and Recitation in Eid Prayer, Hadith no. 9 – Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/79 – Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 3/288)
Imam Al-Bayhaqi رحمه الله said: "Its chain is authentic."
Sayyidah Umm 'Atiyyah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to bring out the young girls, menstruating women, and secluded virgins to attend the Eid prayers. Menstruating women were to stay away from the prayer itself but participate in the supplication of the Muslims.
She asked:
"O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us does not have a cloak?"
He ﷺ replied:
"Let her sister share her cloak with her."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 974 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah al-Eidain, Hadith no. 890)
Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه asked:
"Which chapters did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite on Eid?"
He replied:
(اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ) and (ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ).
Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite (سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى) and (هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ) during Eid and Friday prayers.
Even when Eid and Friday coincided, he recited the same chapters in both prayers.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith no. 878)
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 963)
➋ During the extra Takbirs of Eid Salah, raising the hands (Raf' al-Yadayn) is Sunnah, as narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith no. 772 – authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani)
➌ Exchanging greetings of acceptance and blessings on Eid is proven from both the Salaf and Khalaf scholars.
Imam Ali bin Thabit Al-Jazari رحمه الله said:
"In Madinah, people always exchanged the words 'Taqabbal Allahu minna wa mink' (May Allah accept from us and from you)."
(Al-Thiqat by Ibn Hibban, 9/90)
Imam Mak'hul رحمه الله used to say:
"Barakallahu Fik (May Allah bless you)" on meeting others during Eid.
(Tareekh Ibn Ma'een 2/236)
➍ Recite Takbir continuously while heading towards the Eid ground and after the prayer until reaching home.
(Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 3/279 – Sunan al-Daraqutni 2/44)
➎ Various authentic wordings of Takbir are proven:
﴿الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله، الله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمد﴾
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/67, Hadith no. 5649)
➏ Women must participate in the Eid congregation, even if they are in their menstrual or postnatal bleeding periods, though they should stay away from the prayer but attend supplication and sermons.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Hadith no. 351 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals, Hadith no. 883/1)
➐ It is not permissible to offer any voluntary prayers before or after the Eid prayer at the Eid ground.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 989 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah al-Eidain, Hadith no. 884)
➑ Eating something before leaving for Eid al-Fitr is Sunnah.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 953)
➒ On Eid al-Adha, it is Sunnah to eat after offering the Eid prayer, preferably from the sacrifice.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 542 – Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith no. 1756)
➓ If Eid and Jumu'ah fall on the same day, whoever has prayed Eid is not obligated to attend Jumu'ah and may offer Dhuhr instead.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, Hadith no. 1073 – Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayer, Hadith no. 1311)
⓫ The Prophet ﷺ would take a different route on his way to and from the Eid prayer.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 986)
However, the narration attributed to Ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه supporting this practice is weak.
(See: Ma'alim al-Sunan 1/252 – Nayl al-Awtar 3/356 – Al-Muhalla by Ibn Hazm 3/296)
➊ Set a day, head to an open field, deliver a sermon from the pulpit, supplicate while raising their hands, turn to face away from the people, invert their cloaks, and then perform two Rak'ahs of prayer.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1173 – authenticated as "Hasan" by Sheikh Al-Albani)
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Istisqa, Hadith no. 1024)
✔ Raising hands inside out during the supplication is valid.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Salat al-Istisqa, Hadith no. 2075)
✔ Turning the cloak inside out means flipping its outer side to the inside.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salat al-Istisqa, Hadith no. 1164 – authenticated as "Sahih" by Sheikh Al-Albani)
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Istisqa, Hadith no. 1013)
"O Allah! Provide us with rain. O Allah! Provide us with rain. O Allah! Provide us with rain."
② اللهم اسقنا غيثا مغيثا مريئا نافعا غير ضار عاجلا غير آجل
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1169 – Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith no. 1416)
"O Allah, grant us beneficial rain, satisfying and helpful, not harmful, immediate and not delayed."
③ اللهم اسق عبادك وبهائمك وانشر رحمتك وأحي بلدك الميت
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1176)
"O Allah, give drink to Your servants and Your cattle, spread Your mercy, and revive Your dead land."
✿ Salah of the Two Eids
The prayer offered after sunrise in an open field on the occasions of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is called "Salah al-Eidain."It consists of two Rak'ahs performed with audible recitation and in congregation.
Before the recitation in the first and second Rak'ahs, seven and five Takbirs respectively are said, as narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As رضي الله عنهما.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه would also pronounce twelve Takbirs during the Eid prayers.
(Muwatta Malik, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Takbir and Recitation in Eid Prayer, Hadith no. 9 – Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/79 – Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 3/288)
Imam Al-Bayhaqi رحمه الله said: "Its chain is authentic."
✿ The Ruling on the Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer is Wajib (obligatory) because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ consistently observed it and instructed the community to attend it.Sayyidah Umm 'Atiyyah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to bring out the young girls, menstruating women, and secluded virgins to attend the Eid prayers. Menstruating women were to stay away from the prayer itself but participate in the supplication of the Muslims.
She asked:
"O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us does not have a cloak?"
He ﷺ replied:
"Let her sister share her cloak with her."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 974 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah al-Eidain, Hadith no. 890)
✿ Recitation in the Eid Prayers
Ubaydullah bin Utbah narrated from Abu Waqid al-Laythi رضي الله عنه:Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه asked:
"Which chapters did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite on Eid?"
He replied:
(اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ) and (ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ).
Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite (سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى) and (هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ) during Eid and Friday prayers.
Even when Eid and Friday coincided, he recited the same chapters in both prayers.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith no. 878)
✿ Important Rulings and Issues Related to the Eid Prayers
➊ After the prayer, the Imam delivers the Eid sermon.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 963)
➋ During the extra Takbirs of Eid Salah, raising the hands (Raf' al-Yadayn) is Sunnah, as narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith no. 772 – authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani)
➌ Exchanging greetings of acceptance and blessings on Eid is proven from both the Salaf and Khalaf scholars.
Imam Ali bin Thabit Al-Jazari رحمه الله said:
"In Madinah, people always exchanged the words 'Taqabbal Allahu minna wa mink' (May Allah accept from us and from you)."
(Al-Thiqat by Ibn Hibban, 9/90)
Imam Mak'hul رحمه الله used to say:
"Barakallahu Fik (May Allah bless you)" on meeting others during Eid.
(Tareekh Ibn Ma'een 2/236)
➍ Recite Takbir continuously while heading towards the Eid ground and after the prayer until reaching home.
(Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 3/279 – Sunan al-Daraqutni 2/44)
➎ Various authentic wordings of Takbir are proven:
﴿الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله، الله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمد﴾
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/67, Hadith no. 5649)
➏ Women must participate in the Eid congregation, even if they are in their menstrual or postnatal bleeding periods, though they should stay away from the prayer but attend supplication and sermons.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Hadith no. 351 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals, Hadith no. 883/1)
➐ It is not permissible to offer any voluntary prayers before or after the Eid prayer at the Eid ground.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 989 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah al-Eidain, Hadith no. 884)
➑ Eating something before leaving for Eid al-Fitr is Sunnah.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 953)
➒ On Eid al-Adha, it is Sunnah to eat after offering the Eid prayer, preferably from the sacrifice.
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 542 – Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith no. 1756)
➓ If Eid and Jumu'ah fall on the same day, whoever has prayed Eid is not obligated to attend Jumu'ah and may offer Dhuhr instead.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, Hadith no. 1073 – Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayer, Hadith no. 1311)
⓫ The Prophet ﷺ would take a different route on his way to and from the Eid prayer.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eidain, Hadith no. 986)
✿ Important Note
According to the Hanafi school, there are six additional Takbirs (three after the opening Takbir in the first Rak'ah, and three before Ruku' in the second).However, the narration attributed to Ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه supporting this practice is weak.
(See: Ma'alim al-Sunan 1/252 – Nayl al-Awtar 3/356 – Al-Muhalla by Ibn Hazm 3/296)
❀ The Prayer for Seeking Rain (Salat al-Istisqa) ❀
✿ Method of Performing Salat al-Istisqa
During a drought, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions would:➊ Set a day, head to an open field, deliver a sermon from the pulpit, supplicate while raising their hands, turn to face away from the people, invert their cloaks, and then perform two Rak'ahs of prayer.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1173 – authenticated as "Hasan" by Sheikh Al-Albani)
✿ Issues Related to Salat al-Istisqa
✔ Recitation in Salat al-Istisqa should be audible.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Istisqa, Hadith no. 1024)
✔ Raising hands inside out during the supplication is valid.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Salat al-Istisqa, Hadith no. 2075)
✔ Turning the cloak inside out means flipping its outer side to the inside.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Salat al-Istisqa, Hadith no. 1164 – authenticated as "Sahih" by Sheikh Al-Albani)
✿ Sunnah Supplications for Seeking Rain
① اللهم اسقنا، اللهم اسقنا، اللهم اسقنا(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Istisqa, Hadith no. 1013)
"O Allah! Provide us with rain. O Allah! Provide us with rain. O Allah! Provide us with rain."
② اللهم اسقنا غيثا مغيثا مريئا نافعا غير ضار عاجلا غير آجل
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1169 – Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith no. 1416)
"O Allah, grant us beneficial rain, satisfying and helpful, not harmful, immediate and not delayed."
③ اللهم اسق عبادك وبهائمك وانشر رحمتك وأحي بلدك الميت
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Raising Hands in Istisqa, Hadith no. 1176)
"O Allah, give drink to Your servants and Your cattle, spread Your mercy, and revive Your dead land."
