The Eid Salah: Al-Fitr and Al-Adha (Idul Fitri and Idul Adha) in Islam

This article explains the procedure for the Idul Fitri and Idul Adha salah, including the time, number of takbirs, recitations, and various sunnahs that accompany it.

• The Eid salah is recommended (sunnah muakkad), performed in an open field without adhan and iqamah, and no other optional salah is legislated before or after it.
• The salah is performed with two rak'ahs with seven takbirs in the first rak'ah and five takbirs in the second rak'ah before reciting al-Fatihah.
• After the salah, a sermon containing advice is delivered, and in the first and second rak'ahs the imam is recommended to recite specific surahs such as Qaf and al-Qamar or al-A'la and al-Ghashiyyah.
• There are some differences in the practice of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha, such as it is recommended to eat before the Idul Fitri salah, while for Idul Adha it is recommended to refrain from eating until eating the sacrificial meat after returning from the salah.
• It is also recommended to wear the best clothes, walk to the prayer area while reciting takbir, take a different route back, and invite all the people including menstruating women, although they do not participate in the salah.

The Eid Salah: Al-Fitr and Al-Adha (Idul Fitri and Idul Adha) in Islam

There are two Eid salah in Islam: the Idul Fitri salah performed on the 1st of Shawwal and Idul Adha on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah; its ruling is sunnah muakkad (strongly recommended). Before the Eid salah, many Muslims in Indonesia typically recite the takbir as part of the Eid salah ritual.

The Recitation of Takbir on Eid

Short version

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ، لآَاِلهَ اِلاَّاللهُ وَاللهُ اَكْبَرُ

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ ِللهِ الْحَمْدُ

Long version

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ كَبِيْرًا، وَالْحَمْدُ ِللهِ كَثِيْرًا، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ بُكْرَةً وَّاَصِيْلاً. لآَاِلهَ اِلاَّاللهُ وَلاَنَعْبُدُ اِلاَّ اِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ، وَلَوْكَرِهَ الْكَافِرُوْنَ، لآَاِلهَ اِلاَّاللهُ وَحْدَهُ، صَدَقَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَاَعَزَّجُنْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اْلاَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ، لآَاِلهَ اَلاَّ اللهُ وَاللهُ اَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ ِللهِ الْحَمْدُ

ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR, LAA ILAAHA ILLAALLAAHU WALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR WALILLAAHIL HAMD. (Recited 3 times)

ALLAAHU AKBARU KABIIRAA, WALHAMDU LILLAAHI KATSIIRAA, WA SUBHAANALLAAHI BUKRATAW WA ASHIILAA, LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAAHU WALAA NA'BUDU ILLAA IYYAAHU MUKHLISHIINA LAHUDDIIN, WALAU KARIHAL KAAFIRUUN, LAA ILAAHA ILALLAAHU WAHDAH, SHADAQAWA'DAH, WANASHARA 'ABDAH, WA A-'AZZA JUNDAH, WAHAZAMAL AHZAABA WAHADAH, LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAAHU WALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBARU WALILLAAHIL HAMD.

Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great. There is no god but Allah, Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great, and to Him belongs all praise.

Allah is the Most Great in greatness, and praise be to Allah in abundance, glorification be to Allah morning and evening. There is no god but Allah, and we do not worship except Him with sincere obedience to Him, even if the disbelievers dislike it. There is no god but Allah alone. He kept His promise, and aided His servant, and strengthened His troops and defeated the confederates alone. There is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great, and to Him belongs all praise.

As for the procedure of the two Eid salah (Idul Fitri and Idul Adha), it is as follows:

• The Idul Fitri and Idul Adha salah should be performed in an open field, except if there is an obstacle, such as rain.

Based on a hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out on the day of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha to the Musalla (open field). The first thing he did was to pray the salah. When he finished, he stood facing the people while they sat in rows, and he gave advice, exhorted, and commanded them. When he wanted to stop, he would stop, and when he wanted to command something, he would command it directly, then he finished. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 903); Muslim (Salah al-'Idain: 1472)

• The Idul Fitri and Idul Adha salah is performed without the call to prayer (adhan) and iqamah.

Based on a hadith from Jabir ibn 'Abdullah:

There is no adhan for the Idul Fitri and Idul Adha salah. Then shortly after, I asked about this matter. He informed me that Jabir ibn 'Abdullah al-Ansari said that there is no adhan for the Idul Fitri salah when the imam comes and there is no iqamah, there is no call to prayer and there is no iqamah at that time. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 907) and Muslim (Salah al-'Idain: 1468).

• No optional salah is legislated, either before or after the Eid salah.

Based on a hadith from Ibn 'Abbas:

From Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed two rak'ahs on the day of Idul Fitri. He did not pray before it and did not pray after it. Then he went to the women along with Bilal and commanded them to give charity. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 911); Muslim (Salah al-'Idain: 1476), and Ahmad (Musnad Bani Hashim: 2402).

• A sutrah (barrier) should be placed in front of the imam during prayer.

Based on a hadith from Nafi' from Ibn 'Umar:

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out on Eid, he commanded that a spear be placed in front of him, then he prayed and the people stood behind him, and he did this during Safar (travel). Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Salah: 464), Muslim (al-Salah: 773)

• The Idul Adha salah is performed with 2 rak'ahs, with seven (7) takbirs in the first rak'ah and five (5) takbirs in the second rak'ah.

Based on a hadith from Kathir ibn 'Abdullah:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the two Eid days would recite seven takbirs for the first rak'ah before reciting al-Fatihah and five takbirs in the second rak'ah also before reciting it. Reported by al-Tirmidhi (al-Jumu'ah 'an al-Rasul: 492); and Ibn Majah (Iqamat al-Salah wa Sunnatih: 1269).

Like all salah, the niyyah for the Eid salah can be made in the heart, and what is most important is to intend solely for Allah with a sincere heart and seeking His pleasure. As for the wording of the niyyah as an imam or follower, complete in Arabic, transliteration, and translation as follows:

Niyyah for the Idul Adha Salah as a Follower

اُصَلِّى سُنُّةً عِيْدِالْاَضْحَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

USHOLLI SUNNATA 'IIDHIL ADHAA ROK'ATAINI MUSTAQBILAL QIBLATI MA'MUUMAN LILLAAHI TA'AALA

I intend to pray the Idul Adha salah with two rak'ahs facing the qiblah as a follower for Allah, the Most High

Niyyah for the Idul Adha Salah as an Imam

اُصَلِّى سُنُّةً عِيْدِالْاَضْحَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ اِمَامًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

USHOLLI SUNNATA 'IIDHIL ADHAA ROK'ATAINI MUSTAQBILAL QIBLATI IMAAMAN LILLAAHI TA'AALA

I intend to pray the Idul Adha salah with two rak'ahs facing the qiblah as an imam for Allah, the Most High

Niyyah for the Idul Fitri Salah as an Imam

اُصَلِّى سُنُّةً عِيْدِ الْفِطْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ اِمَامًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

USHOLLI SUNNATA 'IIDHIL FITHRI ROK'ATAINI MUSTAQBILAL QIBLATI IMAAMAN LILLAAHI TA'AALA

I intend to pray the Idul Fitri salah with two rak'ahs facing the qiblah as an imam for Allah, the Most High

Niyyah for the Idul Fitri Salah as a Follower

اُصَلِّى سُنُّةً عِيْدِ الْفِطْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى

USHOLLI SUNNATA 'IIDHIL FITHRI ROK'ATAINI MUSTAQBILAL QIBLATI MA'MUUMAN LILLAAHI TA'AALA

I intend to pray the Idul Fitri salah with two rak'ahs facing the qiblah as a follower for Allah, the Most High

Although there is no specific guidance, between each takbir a recitation can be made that is recited after each takbir in both the first and second rak'ahs during the Eid salah:

سُبْحَانَ اللهْ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهْ وَلآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللهْ وَاللهُ اَكْبَرْ

subhanallah walhamdu lillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar

Glorified is Allah and praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah and Allah is the Most Great.

• After reciting al-Fatihah in the first rak'ah, the imam is recommended to recite Surah Qaf wal-Quran al-Majid (Surah Qaf) or al-A'la and after reciting al-Fatihah in the second rak'ah, recite Surah Iqtarabat as-Sa'ah (Surah al-Qamar) or al-Ghashiyyah.

Based on a hadith from Ibn 'Abbas:

From Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the two Eid days recited Sabbih isma rabbika al-A'la and Hal ataka hadith al-Ghashiyyah. Reported by Ibn Majah (Iqamat al-Salah wa al-Sunnah fiha: 1273).

Based on a hadith from 'Ubaidullah ibn 'Abdullah:

From 'Ubaidullah ibn 'Abdullah: 'Umar ibn al-Khattab asked Abu Waqid al-Laythi about what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited when praying the Idul Adha and Idul Fitri salah. He replied: The Prophet recited on both Eid days Qaf wal-Quran al-Majid and Iqtarabat as-Sa'ah and Inshaqqal Qamar. Reported by Muslim (Salah al-'Idain: 1477); al-Tirmidhi (al-Jumu'ah 'an al-Rasul: 491)

• After performing the salah, it should be followed by a sermon (khutbah) of Idul Adha, which contains advice and exhortation to do good, beginning with al-hamdu lillah.

Based on a hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri:

From Abu Sa'id al-Khudri: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out on the day of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha to the Musalla (open field). The first thing he did was to pray the salah. When he finished, he stood facing the people while they sat in rows, and he gave advice, exhorted, and commanded them. When he wanted to stop, he would stop, and when he wanted to command something, he would command it directly, then he finished. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Jumu'ah: 903)

There are several things that should be done regarding the Idul Fitri and Idul Adha salah:

• The Idul Fitri salah is performed when the sun is at the height of two spears (approximately 6 meters) while Idul Adha is performed when the sun is at the height of one spear (about half an hour after sunrise).

Based on a hadith from Jundub:

From Jundub according to Ahmad ibn Hasan al-Banna' in his book al-Adahi: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed the Idul Fitri salah with us when the sun was at the height of two spears, while on Idul Adha the sun was at the height of one spear. 'Aun al-Ma'bud (Khuruji al-Nisa' fi al-'Idi, p. 343)

• Before going out for the Idul Fitri salah it is recommended to eat first, while for the Idul Adha salah it is recommended to refrain from eating. It is sunnah that what is eaten after the Idul Adha salah is the meat of the sacrifice.

Based on a hadith from Buraidah:

From Buraidah: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not go out in the morning on Idul Fitri without eating first, and did not eat on Idul Adha except after returning, then eating from the meat of his sacrifice. Reported by Ahmad (Remaining Musnad al-Ansar: 21907), al-Tirmidhi (al-Jumu'ah 'an al-Rasul: 497)

• Wearing the best clothes (that one has) and wearing perfume (should not be excessive)

Based on a hadith from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from his father:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wore the best clothes whenever Eid came. Reported by al-Bayhaqi (al-Zinat lil-'Id: 6356)

A hadith from Hasan ibn 'Ali:

From Hasan ibn 'Ali: The Prophet Muhammad commanded us to wear the best clothes on the two Eid days, to perfume the clothes we wear, and to sacrifice the most valuable animal. Subul al-Salam (The Best of the Eid Salah in the Musalla, p. 495)

• Going to the Musalla (open field) on foot while reciting the takbir and taking a different route back from the route taken when going.

Based on a hadith from Ibn 'Umar:

From Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out from the mosque and recited the takbir until he reached the Musalla—which is the open field usually used for Eid salah. Reported by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak (Kitab Salat al-'Idain: 1106)

A hadith from Abu Hurayrah:

From Abu Hurayrah: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went out for the two Eid prayers, he would return via a different route from the one he came. Reported by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak (Kitab Salat al-'Idain: 1109)

• All Muslims, both men, women, and children, even menstruating women, should attend the prayer area (open field). However, menstruating women should keep themselves apart from the prayer area and should not participate in the salah.

Based on a hadith from Umm 'Atiyyah:

From Umm 'Atiyyah: We were commanded to bring out those who are menstruating and the elderly to attend the two Eid prayers. They would witness the congregation of Muslims and the Takbir. As for those who are menstruating, they were kept apart from the prayer area. A woman asked: O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us does not have a veil? The Prophet replied: Let her companion give her a veil. Reported by al-Bukhari (al-Salah: 338); Muslim (Salah al-'Idain: 1473-1474)

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