The prayer for Eid ul Fitr is a unique congregational salah performed after Ramadan to express gratitude to Allah. With extra takbeerat, no adhan, and a khutbah after the prayer, this Sunnah method taught by the Prophet ﷺ helps Muslims celebrate Eid with unity, devotion, and obedience.
Prayer for Eid ul Fitr
The Significance of the Eid ul Fitr Prayer
The prayer for Eid ul Fitr is one of the most joyful and spiritually uplifting acts of worship in Islam. It marks the completion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, patience, and devotion. On this blessed morning, Muslims gather not for a routine salah, but for a unique congregational prayer filled with gratitude to Allah. This prayer is a symbol of unity, obedience, and celebration within the limits set by the Shari‘ah.
Eid Prayer Is a Confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never missed the Eid prayer and strongly encouraged the entire Muslim community to attend. Even women and children were instructed to join the gathering.
عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ قَالَتْ أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ نُخْرِجَهُنَّ فِي الْفِطْرِ وَالْأَضْحَى
Umm ‘Atiyyah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to bring women out on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This hadith shows that the Eid prayer is a public act of worship, not limited to a small group.
Time of the Eid ul Fitr Prayer
The time for the prayer for Eid ul Fitr begins after sunrise, when the sun has risen approximately the height of a spear above the horizon, and it remains until just before Dhuhr. Scholars explain this from the practice of the Prophet ﷺ, who would delay the Eid al-Fitr prayer slightly so people could distribute Zakat al-Fitr before attending.
No Adhan and No Iqamah for Eid Prayer
One unique feature of this prayer is that there is no Adhan or Iqamah.
عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْعِيدَ فَلَمْ يُؤَذِّنْ وَلَمْ يُقِمْ
Jabir (RA) said: I prayed Eid with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and there was no adhan and no iqamah.
(Sahih Muslim)
This distinguishes Eid prayer from the five daily prayers.
Number of Rak‘ahs in Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer consists of two rak‘ahs performed in congregation. This is agreed upon by all scholars based on the continuous practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.
Extra Takbeerat in the First Rak‘ah
In the first rak‘ah, the Imam says the opening takbeer (Takbeer al-Ihram), followed by additional takbeerat before recitation. The majority of scholars report seven extra takbeerat.
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُكَبِّرُ فِي الْعِيدِ سَبْعًا فِي الْأُولَى
The Prophet ﷺ used to say seven takbeerat in the first rak‘ah of Eid.
(Abu Dawood – Hasan)
Extra Takbeerat in the Second Rak‘ah
In the second rak‘ah, before recitation, the Prophet ﷺ would say five extra takbeerat.
وَخَمْسًا فِي الثَّانِيَةِ
And five in the second rak‘ah.
(Abu Dawood)
These extra takbeerat make the prayer for Eid ul Fitr distinct from regular prayers.
Recitation in Eid Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ would commonly recite:
سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى (Surah Al-A‘la 87) in the first rak‘ah
and
هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغَاشِيَةِ (Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88) in the second.
(Sahih Muslim)
This Sunnah is often revived by knowledgeable Imams to preserve the prophetic method.
Khutbah After the Eid Prayer
Unlike Jumu‘ah, the khutbah of Eid comes after the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ would address the community, remind them of Allah, and give guidance.
Listening to the Khutbah Is Recommended
While listening to the khutbah is not obligatory like Jumu‘ah, it is highly recommended. The companions would remain seated and listen attentively to the reminder.
Eating Before Leaving for Eid Prayer
For Eid ul Fitr specifically, the Prophet ﷺ would eat dates before going to the prayer.
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَا يَغْدُو يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتَّى يَأْكُلَ تَمَرَاتٍ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not go out on Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This symbolizes the end of fasting.
Giving Zakat al-Fitr Before the Prayer
One of the most important rulings connected to the prayer for Eid ul Fitr is giving Zakat al-Fitr before attending.
مَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ
Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is an accepted charity.
(Abu Dawood)
Takbeer on the Way to Eid Prayer
Muslims are encouraged to recite the Takbeer while going to the Eid prayer:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
This fills the environment with remembrance of Allah.
Praying in an Open Area (Musalla)
The Prophet ﷺ preferred praying Eid in an open ground rather than inside the mosque, showing the communal and open nature of this worship.
Women and Children Attending Eid Prayer
As mentioned earlier, women, including those not praying, were encouraged to attend to witness the goodness and supplications of the Muslims.
Congregational Unity on Eid Morning
The prayer for Eid ul Fitr brings together rich and poor, young and old, scholars and laypeople, all standing shoulder to shoulder without distinction. This unity is a powerful symbol of Islamic brotherhood.
Making Du‘a After Eid Prayer
Although there is no fixed du‘a, this is a moment when hearts are soft after Ramadan. Many companions would make personal supplications after the prayer.
Returning from a Different Route
The Prophet ﷺ would return from the Eid prayer using a different path than the one he came from.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
Scholars mention this spreads the greetings of Eid to more people.
Spiritual Message of the Eid Prayer
The prayer for Eid ul Fitr is not just celebration. It is a declaration that the believer completed Ramadan and now stands grateful before Allah, hoping for acceptance of all deeds.
Preserving the Sunnah Method of Eid Prayer
Understanding and performing the Eid prayer exactly as taught by the Prophet ﷺ protects this act of worship from cultural changes and innovations. Learning its method correctly ensures that joy on Eid remains within the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah.
FAQ Answers
Q1: How to pray Eid ul Fitr prayer?
A: Eid ul Fitr prayer is 2 rakats with extra takbirs and no adhan or iqamah. You begin with intention, add the extra takbirs, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another surah, then complete the prayer like normal Salah. In congregation, a khutbah follows the prayer.
Q2: How many rakats to pray for Eid ul Fitr?
A: Eid ul Fitr consists of 2 rakats only. These rakats include additional takbirs that make Eid prayer different from daily prayers.
Q3: Is Eid prayer Sunnah or nafl?
A: In the Hanafi school, Eid prayer is Wajib. Other schools consider it Sunnah Mu’akkadah (highly emphasized Sunnah), so it should not be missed without a valid reason.
Q4: Is Eid prayer 6 takbir or 12 takbir?
A: In the Hanafi method, there are 6 extra takbirs—3 in the first rakat and 3 in the second. Some people count all takbirs including the opening ones and say 12, but the extra takbirs are six.
Q5: How to pray Eid prayer step by step at home?
A: Pray 2 rakats the same way as Eid prayer but without khutbah. Add 3 extra takbirs in the first rakat after Sana, and 3 extra takbirs in the second rakat before ruku, then complete the prayer like normal Salah.
Q6: How many rakats is fitr?
A: Eid ul Fitr prayer is 2 rakats. There are no sunnah or nafl rakats before or after it.
Q7: Do you pray 2 rakat before Eid prayer?
A: No. The Prophet ﷺ did not pray any voluntary rakats before Eid Salah at the Eid ground.
Q8: How to pray Eid prayer step by step Hanafi?
A:
-
Make intention for Eid Salah.
-
Say opening takbir and recite Sana.
-
Say 3 extra takbirs (raising hands each time).
-
Recite Al-Fatihah and another surah.
-
Complete ruku and sujood.
-
In the second rakat, recite again.
-
Say 3 extra takbirs before ruku.
-
Finish the prayer.
Q9: Which is the special prayer during Eid?
A: The special prayer is Salat al-Eid, prayed in congregation on Eid morning with extra takbirs and a khutbah after the prayer.
Q10: Is Eid takbeer after Fard Salah?
A: Takbeer after fard salah (Takbeer Tashreeq) is specific to Eid ul Adha. For Eid ul Fitr, general takbeer is recited from the night before until the Eid prayer.
Q11: What to say on Eid fitr namaz?
A: During the prayer, recite the normal Salah surahs and duas. Before and after, you can recite the Eid takbeer:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd.
Q12: How to pray Eid prayer at home reddit?
A: You can pray Eid at home alone or with family as 2 rakats with 6 extra takbirs, following the Hanafi method and skipping the khutbah.
