How to Pray Eid Salah – A Simple Step-By-Step Guide
Eid Salah is performed only twice a year. The first is after Ramadan ends, and we celebrate Eid ul Fitr,
whereas the second is before the celebration of Eid ul Adha. Performing these two Eid Salah’s differs
from the prayers we offer daily.
The Eid Salah consists of two rakahs or parts. Unlike the daily salahs, most Muslims usually perform
these special prayers in Eid gah or open fields rather than a masjid. You can even perform these
supplications at home if you are a woman.
Fulfilling Eid Salah can be a confusing task for many since we perform it only twice a year. To refresh
your memories, we have prepared a step-by-step guide on how to pray Eid Salah.
What are the Sunnah’s to Perform Before Eid Salah?
● Muslims can perform charitable acts before performing the Eid Salah. It can include giving sadqa
or food to needy people.
● Cleaning teeth, bathing, and wearing clean clothes are all a part of the Sunnah. Unlike popular
belief, wearing new clothes is not compulsory. Instead, you can adorn yourself with clothes you
keep for special occasions.
● Have a few dates before going for the prayers. As Narrated by Anas Bin Malik, “Allah’s Messenger
(ﷺ) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of `Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates.
Anas also narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat an odd number of dates.” [Sahih al-Bukhari
953].
Steps to Perform Salah
There are two Rakahs in Eid Salah. Just like every other prayer, the intention to pray is important.
Always recite the niyah before starting the Eid Salah. You can say, “I intend to perform two Rakah of Eid
Salah for Allah.” A niyah to pray always helps to concentrate when performing the Eid Salah. Here is how
you can perform them;
First Rakah
- Raise your hands and recite ‘Allahu Akbar”. The imam would say the takbeer thrice, and you must
repeat after the imam and raise your hands each time. After this, you must put your hands down. - The imam will recite the Quran, and during this, you must fold your hands, ensuring that your
right hand is on top of the left. The Imam then recites Dua Al-Istiftah (“Subhanaka Allahumma wa
bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk”), Surah Fatiha and other
additional Surahs. These additional Surahs can be any Surah from the Quran. - The Imam will go into Ruku as soon as he finishes the recitation of the Quranic verses. Going into
Ruku means bending over and placing your hands on your knees. In this position, your back is
parallel to the ground, and your eyes are focused on the ground too. Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal
Adhim” thrice. - When the Imam recites ‘Sami Allahuliman Hamida,” you must stand up straight. Respond to the
Imam by reciting “Rabbanalakal Hamd’. - At the end of the first rakah, you must perform Sujud when the Imam recites Allahu Akbar. In
sujud, you must place your knees and forehead on the ground and recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la”
thrice. You must complete the two sujud’s similar to the routine Salah prayers.
Second Rakah - The imam will stand up and recite “Allahu Akbar.”
- The second rakah also begins with the recitation of Surah Fatima and then additional Surahs.
Follow the imam in saying the takbeer thrice and then go into Ruku. When you hear ‘Sami
Allahuliman Hamida,” stand up straight. Always follow the pace of the Imam and never rush
ahead. - When the imam says Allahu Akbar, sit down and stay on the ground rather than standing up,
unlike the first Rakah. - Now recite the “Tashahud” which is the testimony of faith. In Tashshahud you can recite, “At-
tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi
wa baraktuhu. As-salamu ‘alaina wa ‘ala ‘ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.” You can raise the right index finger while reciting “ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah” during the tashahud. - Turn your face to the right and say “Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah” and then the same
towards the left. It is an indication that the prayer has ended. - The imam will then say the khutbah, Sunnah, to listen. It will last for about ten to thirty minutes,
wherein the Imam will discuss some Islamic issues. As Narrated by Abdullah Bin Umar, “Allah’s
Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer the prayer of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr and then deliver the
Khutba after the prayer.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 957]. - After the Eid Salah, you must get up and greet the people in your Masjid.
What to Do After Completing Eid Salah?
Eid Salah is usually followed by a khutbah or an Eid Sermon, which everyone must attend. It is
considered rude to leave the premises without listening to the Khutbah. Additionally, it is also out of
etiquette to talk during the sermon.
When returning home from Eid Salah, take a different route so both routes can testify for you on the
Day of Judgement. As Narrated by Jabir Bin Abdullah, “On the Day of Id the Prophet (ﷺ) used to return (after offering the prayer) through a way different from that by which he went.” [Sahih al-
Bukhari 986]
What Do You Do If You Miss Eid Salah?
Eid Salah is not compulsory; instead, it is sunnah, which is optional. However, you get rewarded if you
perform the Eid Salah as a sunnah. One obligatory action is to pay Zakat Fitr before the Eid Prayers.
Every person must pay it, and if somebody cannot pay it off, you can pay it on their behalf. Zakat Fitr
must be given before the Imam starts the Eid Salah.
Conclusion
Eid Salah is only offered twice a year; therefore, every Muslim man and woman must try to offer these
prayers if they can. Offering these prayers and listening to the Khutbah is an act that was performed by
the Holy Prophet himself. This step-by-step guide can also help you to accomplish the Salah from the
comfort of your home. The only difference when performing the Eid Salah at home is that you will not
have to follow the Imam and perform the prayers yourself.
Author Bio:
Rafia Tahir is a Quran scholar and an Islamic blogger, dedicated to sharing the message of
Islam. Her work enlightens and connects, making Islamic teachings accessible to a wide
audience. She occasionally writes articles for Muslim And Quran.