Eid is a religious festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid is an occasion for family and friends to come together and enjoy special foods, prayers, and activities. Some Muslims also visit graves of loved ones to pray and offer gifts. In some countries, governments recognize Eid as an official holidays.
One of the rituals of Eid is praying . Muslims around the world will gather in their local mosques or outdoor ground to perform Eid prayers. The Eid prayer is performed in congregation . But what happens during Eid prayer? How Many Takbeer In Eid Prayer? And what are they all about? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Takbeer in Eid prayer and what they mean for Muslims during this special time.
Table of Contents
How Many Takbeer In Eid Prayer
There are differences of opinions on the number of extra takbeers in the Eid Salah.
Imam Malik 
is of the view that there will be six extra takbeers in the first rakaat and five in the second takbeer. The extra takbeers will be done at the beginning of each rakaat.
Imam Ahmad and Imam Shafi are of the view that there will be seven takbbers in the first rakat and five in the second. The extra takbeers will also be done at the beginning of each rakaat.
Imam Abu Hanifa is of the view that there will be three extra takbeers at the beginning of the first rakaat qiyam and three takbeers at the end of the second rakaat qqiyam.
And here we have discusses “Hanafi school of thought”.
How to Pray Eid Salah
The Eid prayer can be slightly confusing, since we only do it twice a year and it’s necessary to refresh our memory.
So we’ve prepared an easy guide to help you pray the Eid prayer. Follow the below steps on both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. (They are based on the Hanafi school of thought).
Step by Step Guide
Eid prayer is made up of two rakats, or units of prayer, and should be performed fifteen minutes after sunrise until zawal, when the sun is at its highest peak. While this prayer is usually done in congregation under the guidance of an Imam
First Rakat
- Before performing the Eid prayer, it is important to make sure that you have performed the mandatory ablution (Wudu). Once you have done this, you are ready to begin the prayer.
- Face the direction of the Qiblah (Mecca) and make the intention to pray Eid salah. In your heart, say “I am going to perform the two Rakats prayer of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha.”
- Raise your hands up to your ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great). This signals the start of the prayer, after the imam does the same.
- Put your hands on your chest or navel as the Imam recites the Holy Quran. Place your right hand on top of your left hand.
- Recite the most common dua that also reads in normal daily prayers
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالىجَدُّكَ وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
- Raising your hands out upto ears and put left down on you sides for each takbeer and after 3rd takbeer put your hands on your navel.
- Now Listen to the imam recite Surah al-Fatihah and an additional surah.
- Say (Allah-u-Akbar) and Perform Ruku (bowing down) after the imam does the same In Ruku, placing your hands on your knees and bowing until your head is level with your backside.
- Continue the prayer cycle as normal and complete the first rakat.
Second Rakat
- In the second rakah, listen to the imam recite Surah al-Fatihah and an additional surah.
- Give 3 additional takbeer with the imam. On each takbeer, place your hands to your sides.
- On 4th Takbeer Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and moving into the bowing down position with the imam and complete the prayer cycle as normal.
After Eid Salah
- Stay seated and listen to a Khutbah from the Imam. A khutbah usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes with break in between and addresses various Islamic issue. It is impolite to get up and leave before the Imam has finished the kutbah. Sitting and listening to khutba is highly recommended, and some scholars say it’s mandatory.
It’s usually discouraged to speak during the Khutbah, just like it’s forbidden to do so during the Friday sermon.
- Stand and greet with others Muslims at the end of Eid Salah. Give good wishes and then head to your celebration. Many families have large feasts and give presents on Eid Salah
How Many Eids in Islam?
In Islam, there are two main festivals which are celebrated by Muslims all over the world. These festivals are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha comes twice in a Islamic lunar year.
Hadith on account of Eid
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, arrived in Medina during two days in which they were celebrating.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “What are these two days?” They said, “We would celebrate these two days in the time of ignorance.” The Prophet said, “Verily, Allah has replaced these two days with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 1134
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan which is the holy month of fasting. Muslims all over the world fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk and they break their fast at the end of the day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal which is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
Sunnah acts for Eid al-Fitr
There are many Sunnah acts which are associated with Eid al-Fitr. The following are some of the Sunnah acts:
- Wake up early on the day of Eid.
- It is Sunnah to take a bath and wear one’s best clothes on the day of Eid.
- It is Sunnah to eat something sweet before leaving for the Eid prayer.
- Offer the Eid prayer together in an open field or Mosque.That it is a duty for each Muslim and is obligatory for men; those who do not do it with no excuse are sinning thereby.
- It is Sunnah to recite Takbir (Allahu Akbar) on the way to the Eid prayer.
- It is obligatory Sunnah to give Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer.
- Exchange gifts on the day of Eid. It is a symbol of joy and happiness. Gifts can be in the form of money, clothes, food or anything that is beneficial. The best time to exchange gifts is after the Eid prayer.
- Visit the graves of the Muslims who have passed away.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah which is the last month of the Islamic the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. This festival commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Adha by performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
On this day, Muslims all over the world sacrifice an animal such as a sheep, goat, cow or camel in remembrance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The meat of the sacrificed animal is distributed amongst family, friends and the poor.
Sunnah acts for Eid al-Adha
- Muslims are recommended to take a shower or bath before going to the mosque to perform Eid prayers.
- Muslims are encouraged to wear their best clothes on Eid al-Adha. This is an occasion to dress up and look your best. and Apply fragrance/perfume
- Eid prayers are offered in congregation. Muslims from all over the world come together to offer Eid prayers. Using a different route on the way back
- Takbeer is one of the most important aspects of Eid celebrations. Muslims are encouraged to say Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest) as often as possible on this day after Fajr prayer.
- Sacrifice an animal on Eid al-Adha in remembrance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The meat of the sacrificed animal is distributed amongst family, friends and the poor.
- Spend time with family and friends, exchange gifts and enjoy special Eid dishes.
- It is mandatory to read Takbeer-e-tashreeq after every Fardh Salat commencing from Fajr prayer of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (the Day of Arafah) till after Asr prayer on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the day after the final day of Eid).
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ. وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
“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.”
So these are the two main festivals which are celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Muslims all over the world celebrate these festivals with great joy and enthusiasm.