How to Pray Eid prayers

Eid Salat (prayer) consists of two Rakat (units of prayer) with six Takbeers (saying of the words “Allahu akbar”, which means God is the Greatest) in a congregation of Muslims. This is followed by the Khutba (sermon) of Eid. This is how pray Eid prayers and how it is performed:

Follow the Imam by raising both hands up to the ears and say “Allahu Akbar”. This is the first Takbeer to enter into the Salat

Then fold your hands in the front and recite the ‘Sanaa’, the opening Dua of prayer that is also said in the five daily prayers (“Subhaana kallahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabara kasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka, la ilaha ghayruk)

Then say “Allahu Akbar” thrice, following the Imam, each time raising both hands up to the ears and dropping them to your sides. After each Takbeer there will be a slight pause in which “Subhan Allah” (Glory be to God) may be recited thrice

After the third Takbeer the hands should be folded and worshippers listen to the Imam reciting Surah al-Fatiha, followed by another Surah

Then, following the Imam, perform Ruku (bending forward and putting the hands on the knees)

Then go to Sujood (prostration) as usual following your Imam’s Takbeer.

In the second Rakat the Imam will first recite Surah al-Fatiha, followed by another other Surah. Then, he will say three Takbeers after this. In all three Takbeers, the hands will not be folded, but dropped after each Takbeer

Then go into Ruku just after the fourth Takbeer

Complete the rest of the prayer as you would normally complete a prayer of two Rakat

Listen to the Khutbah after the Eid Salat. It is Wajib (compulsory)

How to pray Eid prayers?

The prayer starts by doing “Niyyat” for the prayer and then Takbir is said by the Imam and his followers. Next, “Takbeer-e-Tehreema” is recited, followed by Allahu Akbar three times, raising hands to the ears and dropping them each time, except for the last when the hands are folded. Then the Imam reads the Surah-e-Fatiha and other Surah. Then the congregation performs Ruku and Sujud as in other prayers. This completes the first rakat. The congregation rises up and folds their hands for the second rakat., during which the Imam recites Surah Fatiha and another Surah. After this, three Takbirs are called out just before the Ruku, each time raising hands to the ears and dropping them. For the fourth time, the congregation says Allah o Akbar and subsequently goes into the Ruku. The rest of the prayer is completed in the regular manner. This completes the Eid prayer. After the prayer there is a khutbah.

Sources: PinterPandai, Islam Suci Beriman, Sound Vision Foundation

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons and Wikimedia Commons 2