The Eid al-Fitr Prayer
Time and place
The prayer is offered after sunrise, once the sun has risen the length of a spear, and before Dhuhr. Praying it in an open ground (musalla) is the Sunnah (Sahih al-Bukhari 956).
How it is prayed
- Two rak‘ahs, in congregation, with no adhan or iqamah (Sahih Muslim 886).
- Seven extra takbirs in the first rak‘ah (after the opening takbir) and five in the second, before the recitation, in the practice of many scholars.
- Recitation aloud by the imam.
- A khutbah after the prayer — it follows the prayer on Eid, unlike Jumu‘ah.
Sunnahs of the morning
- Ghusl and best clothes.
- Eating an odd number of dates before leaving (Sahih al-Bukhari 953).
- Reciting the takbir on the way.
- Going by one route and returning by another (Sahih al-Bukhari 986).
- Paying Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer.
Dates are astronomical projections for 1448 AH. The actual day of Eid depends on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent in your country — confirm with your local mosque.
Frequently asked questions
Can women attend the Eid prayer?
Yes — Umm ‘Atiyyah reported that the Prophet ﷺ instructed that women, including those excused from praying, come out to the Eid gathering (Sahih al-Bukhari 974).
