In short
Eid prayer is two rak‘ahs (two units of prayer), performed in congregation, with the khutbah (sermon) after the prayer.
It is generally prayed from after sunrise, once the sun has risen sufficiently, until shortly before the time of Dhuhr.
Step by step
- 1Make the intention for the Eid prayer and follow the imam. Begin with the opening takbir (“Allahu akbar”), then recite the opening supplication if customary in your community.
- 2The imam says several additional takbirs before Qur’an recitation in the first rak‘ah, then recites and completes the rak‘ah normally.
- 3In the second rak‘ah, additional takbirs are said before Qur’an recitation, then the rak‘ah is completed normally. Remain calm in bowing and prostration, as the Prophet ﷺ taught. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 757)
- 4Sit for the tashahhud (the testimony recited while sitting), send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, then end with salam. Listen to the khutbah afterward.
Where the schools differ
The number and placement of the extra takbirs differ among the recognized schools: the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools commonly count seven in the first rak‘ah and five in the second, while the Hanafi school commonly has three extra takbirs in each rak‘ah at different points. Follow the imam rather than performing the takbirs independently; if you miss some, continue with the congregation.
Sources
Sahih al-BukhariHadith 757sahih
