Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid (), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate with family and the larger Muslim community to celebrate.
There are generally two central Eids that take place in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar (hence the additional name Ṣalāt al-’Īdayn ( "Prayer of the Two Eids"):
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Eid al-Fitr
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Eid al-Adha (), the "Greater Eid" or "Eid of Sacrifice", is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (last month of the Islamic lunar calendar in which the Islamic pillar of Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is performed). This Eid follows what is considered to be the holiest day in Islam, Day of Arafah
There is no set date for the Eid holidays, as it changes from year to year. This is due to the nature of the lunar calendar that calculates months based on the phases of the moon, unlike the Solar calendar Gregorian calendar that is used most widely today. The lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than that of the Gregorian, and so the equivalent date shifts back about 11 days every year. This is true for other holidays, such as the Chinese New Year or Rosh Hashanah, that are also based on the lunar calendar.
Name variations
|
|
| Ṣalāh al-'Eid |
| Namazi i Bajramit |
| GÍidal"ul kak |
| Namoz-i-Eid |
| Urdu-Hindi, Punjabi language, Russian language, Sindhi language, Dhivehi | , ईद नमाज़, Ид намаз, ޢީދު ނަމާދު| Eid namāz
|
| Huì lǐ |
| Bayram namazı |
| Bajram-namaz |
| Bayram namaz̦z̦ary |
| Ayt namazı |
| Bayram-chak |
| Eid er namaz |
| Eidbön |
| Salat Id |
| Solat Sunat Hari Raya |
| نوێژی جێژن |
| د اختر لمونځ |
| Perunal thozhugai |
| Nemacê roşani |
Eid greetings
The customary greeting on the days of Eid Festivals is "Eid Mubarak", meaning "Have a Blessed Eid" and is often accompanied by other forms of cultural greetings and customs.
Location and timing
Eid prayers are traditionally offered in an open space (
such as a Musalla or
Eidgah) or field available for prayer if weather permits.
The technical appointed time of Salat Al-Eid, as specified by the
Quran and
Sunnah (sayings, teachings, and actions of
Muhammad), begins when the sun reaches approximately three meters above the horizon - above the height of a spear, until it
Solar noon - approaching its
zenith. Generally speaking, it is recommended that the prayer is offered in the morning, anytime after sunrise and before noon.
The time for Eid al-Fitr prayer may be delayed while the prayer of Eid al-Adha is hastened. This is to ensure enough time to facilitate the distribution of the Zakat before the prayer or offer sacrifice after, respectively. This has been a proved Sunnah and has been well recorded in Hadith books.
Specified times of the prayer vary according to local Masjids and larger communities may offer two prayers to allow as many people as possible the chance to make the prayer.
Degree of importance
The degree of importance of the Eid prayer vary between different
Madhhab, or schools of Islamic thought. According to
Hanafi scholars, Salat al-Eid is
Wajib (obligatory). To
Hanbali jurisprudence, it is
Fard (necessary; often synonymous with Wajib) and according to
Maliki and Shafiʽi schools, it is considered to be
Sunnah Al-Mu'akkadah ("confirmed
Sunnah, "continuously performed and never abandoned") but not mandatory.
Procedure and ritual
In addition to the actual praying of the
Salah, another component of the Eid Prayers is the delivering of a
Khutbah or Islamic sermon, like that given weekly on Fridays at Jumu'ah (obligatory Friday prayers). While the sermon is delivered prior to the Salah for Jumu'ah, it is delivered after the Salah for Eid. This is in accordance with the narration by Abdullah ibn Umar that Muhammad performed Eid Prayers in this order.
The Eid prayers also take place without the customary calling of the Adhan or Iqama (arabic call to prayer), which is normally called before every Salah. This is per the traditional narration by Jabir sin Samurah, who had prayed Eid Salah behind Muhammad, and noted that the calls were not made.
Another specific characteristic of the Eid prayer is the number of Takbir, or calling of the phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great") performed in each Rakat (unit of prayer) of Salah. The Takbir for regular Salah (as well as most sunnah and special Salah) is called only once at the start with repetitions between steps of the prayer. According to Hadith narrated by 'Amr bin Shuaib over certified generations, Muhammad completed 7 takbirs in the first rakah of the Eid prayer and 5 in the second, then began with the recitation of the Quran.
Additional sunnah
To reap further rewards from praying the Eid, there are additional recommended steps that Muhammad did in his time according to his
Sunnah that Muslims may perform. These include bathing or
Ghusl prior to attending the festival, dressing in one's best clothes, eating before the
Eid al-Fitr prayer and waiting until after
Eid al-Adha prayer to eat, saying the
Takbir to and from the place of Eid and after every prayer for the remaining days of the festival, as well as taking an alternative route home from the one taken to the prayer.
Women and the Eid Salah
Eid festivals are meant to be an event for all members of the Muslim community, including women and children. According to the Hadith narrated by the
Nusaybah Bint Al-Harith (Umm 'Atiyah), women, young and old, were called to come out and participate in the joy of Eid and reap its blessings.
See also
