Eid Prayer: Time, Rak'aat, Takbeerat, and How to Pray It
Salat al-Eid is one of the most celebrated communal prayers in Islam — prayed twice a year at the end of Ramadan (Eid ul-Fitr) and on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha). It consists of 2 rak'aat with additional Takbeerat and is followed by a Khutbah (sermon). This guide covers everything: exact time, step-by-step method, Takbeer wording, the Khutbah sequence, and the differences between the two Eids.
Quick Answer
- Time: After sunrise (15–20 min) → before Dhuhr. Most mosques: 7–10 AM
- Rak'aat: 2 rak'aat — distinguished by extra Takbeerat
- Takbeerat (Shafi'i/Maliki/Hanbali): 7 in Rak'ah 1 (before Fatihah) + 5 in Rak'ah 2 (before Fatihah)
- Takbeerat (Hanafi): 3 extra in Rak'ah 1 (before Fatihah) + 3 extra in Rak'ah 2 (after Ruku' Takbeer)
- Khutbah: After prayer (unlike Jumu'ah where it is before)
- Obligatory? Wajib (Hanbali/strong Hanafi view) or Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Shafi'i/Maliki)
What Is Eid Prayer?
Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid — صلاة العيد) is the communal prayer performed on the morning of each Eid. The Prophet ﷺ prayed Eid with the entire Muslim community — men, women, and children — in an open area outside Medina called the musalla (prayer ground). He commanded even menstruating women to attend, though they would observe without praying.
“We were commanded to go out — including menstruating women — to attend the Eid prayer and witness the gathering of the Muslims, except that menstruating women should stay away from the prayer area itself.”
— Bukhari 324, Umm Atiyyah (RA)
This hadith illustrates the communal nature of Eid — it is not merely a prayer but a celebration and gathering of the entire Muslim community. Attending even without praying carries spiritual significance.
What Time Is Eid Prayer?
The time for Eid prayer is the same as Duha prayer: it begins approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise (once the sun is about a “spear's length” above the horizon) and ends before the sun reaches its zenith (the start of Dhuhr time).
| Prayer | Typical Mosque Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eid ul-Fitr | 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Slightly later — gives time for Zakat al-Fitr to be distributed before prayer; Prophet ﷺ also delayed it (Ibn Majah 1317) |
| Eid al-Adha | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Earlier — to allow maximum time for the Udhiyah (sacrifice) before noon; Prophet ﷺ hastened it (Ibn Majah 1317) |
Preparation Before Eid Prayer — Sunnah Practices
Eid ul-Fitr (Shawwal 1)
- ✓ Perform ghusl before prayer
- ✓ Eat an odd number of dates before going (Prophet ﷺ would not go out until eating dates — Bukhari 953)
- ✓ Wear your best clothes
- ✓ Ensure Zakat al-Fitr is paid before prayer
- ✓ Take one route to the mosque, return by a different route (Bukhari 986)
- ✓ Say Takbeer on the way to prayer
Eid al-Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10)
- ✓ Perform ghusl before prayer
- ✓ Do not eat before prayer — eat from your Udhiyah sacrifice afterward (Tirmidhi 542)
- ✓ Wear best clothes
- ✓ Do not cut hair or nails from Dhul Hijjah 1 until after sacrifice (for those offering Udhiyah)
- ✓ Say Takbeer of Tashriq loudly on the way
- ✓ Take different routes to/from mosque
How to Pray Eid — Step-by-Step Method
The prayer is 2 rak'aat. The structure is like a regular 2-rak'ah prayer except for the additional Takbeerat. There is no Adhan or Iqamah for Eid prayer.
Method A — Shafi'i / Hanbali / Maliki (7 + 5 Takbeerat)
Rak'ah 1:
- Opening Takbeer (Takbirat al-Ihram) — Allahu Akbar — begin prayer
- Opening du'a (Dua al-Istiftah) silently
- 7 additional Takbeerat — say “Allahu Akbar” 7 times, raising hands to shoulders each time
- Between each Takbeer: pause briefly, may say “SubhanAllah wal-hamdulillah wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar” silently
- Recite Al-Fatihah, then a sura (Surah Al-A'la recommended)
- Ruku', Sujood, rise — complete the rak'ah as normal
Rak'ah 2:
- Rise from sujood — stand for Rak'ah 2
- 5 additional Takbeerat — say “Allahu Akbar” 5 times with brief pauses
- Recite Al-Fatihah, then a sura (Surah Al-Ghashiyah recommended)
- Ruku', Sujood, tashahhud, salaam — complete as normal
Source: Abu Dawud 1149; authenticated by numerous chains
Method B — Hanafi (3 + 3 Takbeerat)
Rak'ah 1:
- Opening Takbeer (Takbirat al-Ihram)
- Opening du'a (Thana/Subhanakallahumma...)
- 3 additional Takbeerat — with brief pauses between each; hands drop to sides between each Takbeer (not folded)
- After 3rd Takbeer: fold hands and recite Al-Fatihah + sura
- Ruku', Sujood — complete rak'ah normally
Rak'ah 2:
- Recite Al-Fatihah + sura first
- Before going into Ruku': 3 additional Takbeerat
- 4th Takbeer for Ruku' — go into Ruku'
- Complete Sujood, tashahhud, salaam normally
Find prayer times for Eid day
Eid prayer window opens ~15 min after sunrise. Check your city's sunrise and Dhuhr times to know the exact window — and plan your morning accordingly.
The Khutbah — After Prayer, Not Before
A critical distinction: unlike Jumu'ah (Friday prayer), where the Khutbah comes before prayer, the Eid Khutbah comes after prayer. The Prophet ﷺ prayed first, then delivered the Khutbah while standing on the ground (no pulpit in the early musalla).
“The Prophet ﷺ would go out on Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, begin with the prayer, then turn to the people and give them a speech while they remained in their rows.”
— Bukhari 962, Ibn Abbas (RA)
Attending the Khutbah
The Eid Khutbah is Sunnah to attend — the congregation is encouraged to remain. However, unlike Jumu'ah, it is not obligatory to attend the Khutbah; those who have already prayed and leave are not sinful. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever wishes to sit for the Khutbah, let him sit; whoever wishes to leave, let him leave.” (Abu Dawud 1155).
No Adhan or Iqamah
Eid prayer has neither Adhan nor Iqamah — a well-established Sunnah reported by multiple companions (Muslim 887). The prayer simply begins when the Imam opens with Takbirat al-Ihram. This distinguishes it from all five daily prayers.
Takbeer of Tashriq — Specific to Eid al-Adha
During the days of Eid al-Adha and the days of Tashriq (9th–13th Dhul Hijjah), a specific Takbeer is recited aloud after every obligatory prayer:
Takbeer al-Tashriq
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar wa lillāhil ḥamd.
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.”
| School | When to Recite | Who Must Recite |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | After Fajr of 9th Dhul Hijjah → Asr of 13th (Wajib) | Men in congregation — women quietly |
| Shafi'i | After Dhuhr of 10th → Asr of 13th | All — men aloud, women quietly |
| Hanbali | After Fajr of 9th → Asr of 13th | All — men aloud |
| Maliki | After Dhuhr of 10th → Fajr of 13th | All in congregation |
Eid ul-Fitr vs Eid al-Adha — Key Differences
| Aspect | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid al-Adha |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 1 Shawwal (end of Ramadan) | 10 Dhul Hijjah (Hajj season) |
| Prayer time | Slightly later (8–9 AM typically) | Earlier (7–8 AM typically) |
| Before prayer | Eat dates (Sunnah) | Do not eat until after sacrifice |
| Prayer method | 2 rak'aat with Takbeerat | 2 rak'aat with Takbeerat (identical) |
| Special obligation | Zakat al-Fitr — before prayer | Udhiyah (sacrifice) — before sunset |
| Takbeer of Tashriq | Not prescribed | After each fard prayer, 9th–13th Dhul Hijjah |
| Duration | 1 day | 4 days (10th–13th) — Days of Tashriq |
What If I Miss the Eid Prayer?
If you arrive late or miss the congregation entirely:
Arriving while Imam is in Ruku'
Join the prayer. The majority view: if you catch the Imam in Ruku' of either rak'ah, you are considered to have caught that rak'ah. Do not add the extra Takbeerat while in Ruku' — simply join and follow the Imam. After the salaam, make up the missed rak'ah with its Takbeerat if you missed it.
Missed the prayer entirely
Shafi'i/Hanbali:Pray 2 rak'aat with Takbeerat individually — at home, at the mosque, or with any group. The prayer is valid.
Hanafi:Eid prayer requires congregation — it cannot be prayed individually as a make-up. Pray 4 voluntary nafl rak'aat instead as a mark of the day.
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Start 14-Day Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
What time is Eid prayer?
After sunrise (15–20 min) until before Dhuhr. Eid ul-Fitr: typically 8–9:30 AM. Eid al-Adha: earlier, 7–8:30 AM. Always confirm with your local mosque — they may hold multiple sessions.
How many rak'aat is Eid prayer?
2 rak'aat. Shafi'i/Maliki/Hanbali: 7 extra Takbeerat in rak'ah 1, 5 in rak'ah 2 (before Fatihah each time). Hanafi: 3 extra Takbeerat in rak'ah 1 (before Fatihah), 3 in rak'ah 2 (before Ruku').
Is Eid prayer obligatory?
Hanbali and a strong Hanafi view: Wajib (obligatory). Shafi'i/Maliki: Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly recommended). No school treats it as Fard at the level of the five daily prayers — but missing it is blameworthy.
Can I pray Eid prayer at home?
Shafi'i/Hanbali: Yes — pray 2 rak'aat with Takbeerat individually or in a small group. Hanafi: no — Eid prayer requires a congregation; if missed, pray 4 voluntary rak'aat. Follow your madhab's ruling.
What is the Takbeer for Eid prayer?
The extra Takbeerat are 'Allahu Akbar' repeated with brief pauses. Between each: you may say 'SubhanAllah wal-hamdulillah wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar' quietly. Raise both hands to shoulders for each (Shafi'i method).
What is the difference between Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayer?
The prayer method is identical. Key differences: Eid ul-Fitr is later (eat dates before), Eid al-Adha is earlier (don't eat until after sacrifice). Eid al-Adha also has the Takbeer of Tashriq after each fard prayer for 5 days.
Related Guides
Plan your Eid morning around prayer times
Check sunrise and Dhuhr times for your city — the Eid prayer window runs between them.
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