Have you ever thought about how to make our Eid Al-Fitr prayer not just an annual routine, but truly according to the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? It turns out, there is a secret behind the procedure for Eid Al-Fitr prayer that makes our worship more meaningful and full of blessings. Come on, let’s reveal one by one how to pray Eid Al-Fitr completely!
Eid Prayer Law
After fasting for a month, you do your Eid prayer carelessly? Well, so that you don’t take the wrong steps, you must first know the law. Eid prayer is obligatory according to some scholars, and sunnah muakkadah (highly recommended) according to others. The basic proposition:
وَأَمَرَ نَبِيُّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ النِّسَاءَ وَالْحُيَّضَ أَنْ يَخْرُجْنَ يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ لِشُهُودِ الْخَيْرِ وَدَعْوَةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered women, including those who were menstruating, to go out on the day of Eid to witness the goodness and prayers of the Muslims.” (HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
So, so that our Eid day is more complete, don’t miss the Eid prayer. This is a special moment that only comes once a year. Well, to make it more complete, let’s also find out about the time and place of its implementation!
Also read: Is Istighfar Related to Sustenance and Blessings from Allah ﷻ ?
Time and Place of Implementation
Have you ever been confused, what time is the right time for Eid al-Fitr prayer? Don’t worry, here is a guide! Eid al-Fitr prayer is performed after the sun is as high as a spear (about 15 minutes after sunrise) until before the dzuhur time. Reasons regarding implementation time:
عَنْ جُندُبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: صَلَّى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَوْمَ فِطْرٍ حِينَ طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَقَدْرُ رُمْحٍ
“From Jundub bin Abdullah said: The Prophet ﷺ prayed Eid al-Fitr when the sun has risen as high as a spear.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi)
Ibnul Qayyim said, “The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to delay the Eid al-Fitr prayer and speed up the implementation of the Eid al-Adha prayer. Ibn ‘Umar who is very well known for following the teachings of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did not go out to the field until the sun was high.”
Why is the time different? Well, the Eid al-Adha prayer is performed earlier so that people can immediately slaughter their sacrificial animals. While the Eid al-Fitr prayer is delayed a little so that we have time to complete the zakat fitri first. So, there is a reason behind the time of implementation, right!
Regarding the place, it is better (more afdhol) to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer in an open field, unless there is an obstacle such as rain. Abu Sa’id Al Khudri once said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَالأَضْحَى إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى
“The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to go out on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the fields.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
Imam Nawawi also said, “The hadith of Abu Sa’id Al Khudri above is evidence for those who recommend that Eid prayers are better performed in open fields. This is better than in a mosque. This is the custom of Muslims in various places. However, in Mecca it is a different story. Since long ago, Eid prayers there have always been held in the Grand Mosque.”
Isn’t it fun if you can pray in a field? The atmosphere is more lively, the air is fresh, and you can feel the togetherness. Now, after the time and place are ready, let’s take a peek at the sunnahs that can make our worship even more optimal!
Also read: How to Manage Personal Finances of the Prophet Muhammad’s Companions
Sunnah Before Eid Prayer
To make it more blessed and feel more maximal, there are several sunnah that we can do before Eid prayer. Don’t miss it, this is the fun part!
Bathing and dressing up
Who doesn’t want to look cool on Eid? Even Ibn Umar took a bath before going to the prayer:
كَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يَغْتَسِلُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْدُوَ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى
“Ibn Umar took a bath on the day of Eid before going to the place of prayer.” (Narrated by Malik)
Eat first before praying Eid
The day of victory is not complete if the stomach is empty! The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave an example by eating dates first:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَا يَغْدُو يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتَّى يَأْكُلَ تَمَرَاتٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ وِتْرًا
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not go to prayer on the day of Eid before eating a few dates in an odd number.” (Narrated by Bukhari)
Takbir along the way to Eid al-Fitr prayers
To make the atmosphere even more festive, we are advised to recite takbir from the moment we leave the house:
In a history it is stated,
كَانَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الفِطْرِ فَيُكَبِّر حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ المُصَلَّى وَحَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الصَّلاَةَ فَإِذَا قَضَى الصَّلاَةَ ؛ قَطَعَ التَّكْبِيْر
“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would go out to pray on the day of Eid al-Fitr, then he would say takbir until he was in the field and until the prayer was about to be performed. When the prayer was about to be performed, he stopped saying takbir.” (As Silsilahh Ash Sahihah)
By following this sunnah, may we be among those loved by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). After all the preparations are complete, are you curious about how to make our Eid prayers more meaningful and in accordance with the sunnah? Let’s get into the core of the Eid prayer!
Also read: Tawakkul in the Job Searching Process
Eid Al-Fitr Prayer Procedures
Eid Al-Fitr Prayer Intentions
First of all, make sure you have the intention to perform the Eid prayer, whether as an imam or a congregation.
Takbiratul Ihram
Start praying as usual with takbiratul ihram. Rasulullah ﷺ said:
“Pray as you see me praying.” (HR. Bukhari)
Additional Takbir (Takbir Zawaid)
So, what makes the Eid prayer different is the additional takbir. After takbiratul ihram, we continue with 7 additional takbirs in the first rak’ah before reading Al-Fatihah. During the second rak’ah, after rising from prostration, we take takbir again 5 times before reading Al-Fatihah.
The evidence is from Aisyah radhiyallahu ‘anha:
“That the Prophet ﷺ recited takbir in the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers seven times (in the first rakaat) and five times (in the second rakaat).” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)
Dhikr Between Takbir
In between additional takbirs, we are advised to recite dhikr. There is no special reading from the Prophet ﷺ, but scholars recommend increasing praise for Allah. You can use this reading:
“Subhanallah wal hamdulillah wa laa ilaha illallah wallahu akbar. Allahummaghfirlii warhamnii.”
Read Al-Fatihah
After finishing the additional takbir, continue reading Surah Al-Fatihah. This is mandatory, because all prayers definitely use Al-Fatihah.
Read Short Surahs
After Al-Fatihah, it is sunnah to read short surahs. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had a habit of reading certain surahs in the Eid prayer:
- First rakaat: Surah Al-A’la or Surah Qaf.
- Second rakaat: Surah Al-Ghasyiyah or Surah Al-Qamar.
The evidence is from An-Nu’man bin Basyir radhiyallahu ‘anhu:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the two Eid prayers and in Friday prayers read ‘Sabbihisma rabbikal-a’laa’ and ‘Hal ataka hadiitsul-ghaasyiyah.'” (HR. Muslim)
If you want to change to another memorized surah, that’s fine, as long as you remain solemn.
Continue Prayer Movements
After reading the surah, the movements are the same as regular prayers. Starting from bowing, i’tidal, prostration, sitting between two prostrations, to greeting. Easy right?
Sermon After Eid Prayer
After Eid prayer, go straight home? Hey, don’t rush! There is a sermon full of good advice, even though it is sunnah.
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَالْأَضْحَى إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى، فَأَوَّلُ شَيْءٍ يَبْدَأُ بِهِ الصَّلَاةُ، ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَيَقُومُ مُقَابِلَ النَّاسِ وَالنَّاسُ جُلُوسٌ عَلَى صُفُوفِهِمْ، فَيَعِظُهُمْ وَيُوصِيهِمْ
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went out on the day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the place of prayer. The first thing he did was pray, then he turned and stood in front of the people who were still sitting in their rows. He gave them advice, advice, and orders.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
This sermon is indeed sunnah, but it would be a loss if we don’t take advantage of this rare opportunity. Listen to the sermon first. Who knows, there might be an important message that we can take home too.
Also read: 4 Business Tips Based on Rasulullah
Sunnah After Eid Prayer
After Eid prayer and sermon, there are several sunnah deeds that we can do:
- Congratulate each other with the prayer, “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept our deeds and yours).
- Return via a different route than when leaving, imitating the Prophet ﷺ’s habit.
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا خَرَجَ إِلَى الْعِيدِ رَجَعَ فِي غَيْرِ الطَّرِيقِ
“When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to perform the Eid prayer, he returned by a different route from the one he had taken.” (Narrated by Bukhari)
Khatimah
The Eid prayer is not only an annual tradition, but also a meaningful worship. In addition to being a form of gratitude for the blessings of Ramadan, it is also a moment to strengthen brotherhood among Muslims. Come on, let’s perform Eid prayers according to the sunnah, so that our worship is more perfect and can receive Allah’s pleasure. Happy Eid! May we all become better and more pious people. Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum, please forgive me physically and mentally!
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References:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Malik. (2004). Al-Muwaththa’. Darul Ma’arif.
Nawawi, I. (1996). Al-Majmu’ Syarh Al-Muhadzdzab. Darul Fikr.
Ibnul Qayyim, A. J. (1998). Zadul Ma’ad. Muassasah Ar-Risala.
Abdurrazzaq, I. (2005). Al-Mushannaf. Maktabah Al-Islami.
