How to pray the Eid prayer

Every Eid, someone in the row next to you whispers "how many takbirs is it again?" just as the imam raises his hands. If that's usually you, you're in good company. The Eid prayer happens twice a year, it has a few extra steps that no other prayer has, and the details differ a little between the schools of Islamic law.

The good news is that it's short, and in congregation all you really have to do is follow the imam. This guide is so you know what's coming.

When and where

The Eid prayer is held in the morning. Its time starts once the sun has fully risen, roughly 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise, and ends just before midday. Eid al-Fitr is usually prayed a little later than Eid al-Adha, which gives people time to hand out Zakat al-Fitr before it.

The Prophet ﷺ normally prayed it in an open space outside the mosque, so you'll find many communities praying in parks, fields or sports grounds, often with several sessions so everyone can fit. Check your mosque's announcements in the last week of Ramadan.

A few things that make it different from other prayers:

• There's no adhan and no iqamah (Sahih Muslim 885).
• It's two rak'ahs, with the recitation said out loud.
• Each rak'ah has extra takbirs, saying "Allahu akbar" several times, before the recitation (or, in the Hanafi second rak'ah, after it).
• The sermon comes after the prayer, not before as on Friday (Sahih al-Bukhari 957).

Make the intention in your heart to pray the two rak'ahs of Eid al-Fitr behind the imam. You don't need to say it aloud.

Step by step: seven and five takbirs

This is how the prayer is done in the Shafi'i, Hanbali and Maliki schools, and in many mosques in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Africa and the West. The small differences between those three schools are noted where they matter.

First rak'ah

1. Say the opening takbir, "Allahu akbar", raising your hands, and fold them as normal.
2. Many then quietly say the opening supplication.
3. The imam says seven takbirs (the Maliki and Hanbali count includes the opening takbir, so six more; the Shafi'i count is seven more). Raise your hands with each one and fold them again. Between the takbirs you can quietly praise Allah, for example subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar.
4. The imam recites al-Fatiha and a surah aloud. The Prophet ﷺ often recited Surah al-A'la (87) in the first rak'ah and al-Ghashiyah (88) in the second (Sahih Muslim 878), and sometimes Qaf (50) and al-Qamar (54) (Sahih Muslim 891).
5. Then ruku', standing, two sajdahs, exactly as in any prayer.

Second rak'ah

1. Stand up for the second rak'ah with the usual takbir.
2. The imam says five extra takbirs. Raise your hands with each.
3. Al-Fatiha and a surah, recited aloud.
4. Ruku', sajdahs, then sit for the tashahhud and finish with salam.

Step by step: the Hanafi method

This is common in South Asia, Turkey, Central Asia and many mosques with South Asian or Turkish communities. There are fewer extra takbirs, and in the second rak'ah they come after the recitation.

First rak'ah

1. Say the opening takbir and fold your hands. Quietly say the thana (Subhanakallahumma…).
2. The imam says three extra takbirs. With the first and second, raise your hands to your ears and let them drop to your sides. With the third, raise them and fold them on your body.
3. The imam recites al-Fatiha and a surah aloud.
4. Ruku' and sajdahs as normal.

Second rak'ah

1. Stand up. The imam recites al-Fatiha and a surah first.
2. Then come three extra takbirs. Raise your hands and let them drop each time.
3. With a fourth takbir, go straight into ruku' without raising your hands.
4. Complete the sajdahs, tashahhud and salam.

If you're used to one method and find yourself behind an imam who uses the other, just follow him. Scholars are clear that the extra takbirs are not something to argue over in the row.

The sermon

After the salam the imam gives a sermon, often in two parts with a short sitting in between, as on Friday. It's recommended to stay and listen. The Prophet ﷺ gave people the choice to leave after the prayer (Sunan Abi Dawud 1155), but staying is better, and the sermon on Eid often includes a reminder about Zakat al-Fitr and keeping up good deeds after Ramadan.

Arriving late, or missing it

If you arrive during the extra takbirs, say the opening takbir, join in, and carry on from wherever the imam is. Most scholars say you don't need to make up the takbirs you missed.

If you join in the second rak'ah, complete the missing rak'ah after the imam finishes. Many scholars say to include its extra takbirs.

If you forget some extra takbirs, your prayer is still valid. They're Sunnah in most schools. Following the imam takes care of it in congregation.

If you miss the prayer completely, scholars differ. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools, and some Maliki scholars, recommend praying it yourself as two rak'ahs, ideally with the extra takbirs, either alone or with others who also missed it. The Hanafi position is that the Eid prayer is only prayed in congregation and isn't made up individually. Ask your local imam which view your community follows.

Before you leave the house

Bath, best clothes, a few dates, and the takbir on your lips. We cover all of these in the Sunnah of Eid day.

The methods described are the commonly taught positions of the four Sunni schools. Small details vary between scholars and communities. When in doubt, follow your imam, and ask a qualified scholar about anything you're unsure of.