Guidance regarding the Eid Prayer and Khutbah

Ref: ACJU/NGS/2021/154

20^th July 2021

 

Eid Prayer

1. Performing the Eid prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah. Though it is permissible to perform this prayer individually, it is recommended to perform in congregation (Jama’ath).
2. The Eid prayer could be performed from the moment the sun has risen, until it reaches its zenith. It is preferable to offer the prayers after the sun has risen above the horizon to the height of a spear (approx. after 15 minutes).
3. There is no Azaan or Iqamath for the festival prayer.
4. The Eid prayer consists of two Rak’aths. Initially, one should make the intention of performing the Eid prayer (Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-ul-Adha, as applicable) of two Rak’aths, then recite the Takbeer and fold the hands. Thereafter it is a Sunnah to recite Dua-ul-Istiftaah (Wajjahtu). Other similar Duas that are reported in the Ahadith could also be recited.
5. Thereafter one should pronounce Takbeer 7 times, similar to the first one, by raising the hands and folding them. Likewise, even in the second Raka’ath, 5 extra Takbeers will be pronounced, apart from the Takbeer pronounced when standing up from from Sujood. Dhikrs such as the one mentioned below can be recited between the Takbeers, in both Raka’aths:

سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحْمدُ لِلّهِ، وَلَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ

6. It is obligatory to recite Suratul Fatihah after having pronounced the extra Takbeers in both the Raka’aths. It is Sunnah to follow it up with the recitation of a Surah.
7. It is Sunnah to recite Suratul A’la (الأعلى) in the first Raka’ath, and Suratul Ghaashiya (الغاشية) in the second Raka’ath, for those who know them by memory.
8. If a person chooses to perform the Eid prayer individually, he shall perform the two Raka’aths only.
9. While performing the prayer in congregation (Jama’ath) males should lead the prayer as Imam. In the event where only women are present in the congregation, one of the women could lead the prayer. In such a situation, Khutbah will not be read by women. A woman amongst the congregation of women may choose to deliver a small sermon.
10. It is Sunnah to recite ‘Takbeer’ after every Fard prayer, from time of Fajr of 9th of Dhul Hijjah to the time of Asar of the third day of Ayyamuth Thashreek, 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

Eid Khutbah

11. The Khutbah could be delivered if two or more persons are present. The number of people required for the validity of Jumu’ah will not be required.
12. Conducting the Khutbah after the Festival prayer is a Sunnah. The Khutbah of Eid is similar to the Khutbah of Jumu’ah. However, 9 Takbeers should be recited at the beginning of the first Khutbah, and 7 Takbeers at the beginning of the second Khutbah.
13. Similar to the manner in which both Khutbahs of Jumu’ah are performed, the Eid Khutbah is also performed. It is necessary to recite the following in Arabic during both the Khutbahs:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

وَالصًّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلًّمَ

وَاتَّقُوا الله 

Furthermore, a Verse from the Quran should be recited in one of the Khutbahs. The second Khutbah must be concluded with Dua, by supplicating for the believers: اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلمُؤمِنِيْنَ والمُؤْمِنَاتِ

(A sample Khutbah has been attached)

14. A sermon could be delivered following the Khutbah, if one wishes.
15. If there isn’t anyone who could recite the above and conduct the Khutbah, it will be permissible to suffice with the prayer alone, as the Khutbah is not a condition for the validity of festival prayer.

A Sample Eid Khutbah which can be read

 

First Khutbah:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ  اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ  اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصًّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلًّمَ. أٌمّا بَعْدُ

يَا أًيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا الله قَالَ الله تَعَالىَ أَعُوْذُ بِالله مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبْتَرُ

وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ((الدِّين النَّصِيحَةُ))

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِيْ وَلَكُمْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوْهُ إنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ

 

Second Khutbah:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ  اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصلاة والسَّلَامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. أمَّا بَعْدُ

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا اللهَ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالى أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

وَارْضَ  اللّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الأَرْبَعَةِ وَجَمِيْعِ الصَّحَابَةِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ.

اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلمُؤمِنِيْنَ والمُؤْمِنَاتِ والمُسْلِمِينَ والمُسْلِمَاتِ

بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

 

Ash-Shaikh M.L.M. Ilyas

Secretary – Fatwa Division

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

 

Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith

General Secretary

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama