With many returning to our beloved masajid for Eid prayer and celebrations, we know some of you will still be praying Eid at home this year. We can still catch the blessing of Eid prayer and pray it at home with our families!
We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to performing Eid prayer at home. May all your prayers be answered, ameen!
Salat-ul-Eid is considered either a sunnah, wajib (required), or fard kifaya (communal obligation) act of worship depending on the madhab you follow.
Where can it be prayed?
It can be done at home, especially under these circumstances, either in congregation or individually. Salat-ul-Eid has additional takbeerat that differentiate it from the regular prayers.
How to prepare
On the morning of Eid, it’s sunnah to take a shower (i.e. perform ghusl) before you settle down to pray. It is also sunnah to start the day by eating dates after you’ve prayed.
When to pray
Eid prayer must be performed after the sun has risen. As a result, you cannot pray the Eid prayer immediately after Fajr. Also, Eid prayer must be performed before zawaal. Zawaal refers to the time in which the sun has reached zenith, its highest point in the sky.
Therefore, our recommendation is to perform the Eid prayer anytime between the hours of 7am and 12pm.
There is no khutbah (sermon) after the prayer if you pray at home. However, you can listen to a sermon online because it’s mandub (recommended), not wajib (required) to listen to a khutbah.
How it’s prayed
Unique Elements of Eid prayer:
- No adhan or iqama
- Extra takbeerat (saying Allahu Akbar)
- Two rakahs
- Khutbah
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- How to Offer Eid Prayers at Home
- FAQs
Eid has always been a joyous time in the UAE. The many traditions of this special time include festive dinners with family, gifts to loves ones and offering special prayers. Eid prayers are most commonly performed in congregation at mosques and other designated venues, but in case you can’t attend such occasions, it’s also possible to perform the Eid prayer at home. In this guide, we explain how you can pray Eid prayer at home during either Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha.
HOW TO PERFORM THE EID PRAYER AT HOME
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha have great significance for Muslims. Thus, Eid prayers are also an extremely important part of the festive celebrations.
If you are offering the Eid prayer together with family, an adult male member must lead the prayer as an Imam. Once you have formed the congregation, you can follow this step-by-step guide to performing Eid salah at home.
Preparing for Salat al-Eid
During this exceptional time, it is recommended that you keep your Eid celebrations within your homes. But, you can follow the sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to prepare for Salat Al-Eid.
- Perform ghusl (bath) before prayers
- Eat an odd number of dates
- Dress up and wear your festive clothes
- Exchange well-wishes with family members and friends by saying Taqabbalallahu Minna wa Minkum – May Allah accept (the worship) from us and from you
HOW TO OFFER EID-UL-FITR AND EID AL ADHA PRAYER AT HOME: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Offering Eid prayer at home is exactly the same as the prayer for Eid at the mosque. However, the only difference is that at home, there will be no Eid sermon (khutbah).
The correct time for praying Eid salah at home starts 15 minutes after sunrise and lasts until 10 to 15 minutes before Dhuhr (midday).
If you are leading the prayer as an Imam, you have to recite the surahs from the Qur’an out loud and call out the takbeers. Whereas, the rest of the congregation has to simply follow you.
Here is a step-by-step guide on the Eid prayer procedure at home:
- Eid prayer has two rak’ahs (parts) with extra takbeers. You start with a non-verbal niyah. This isn’t said out loud. Then you say the first takbeer – takbeerat-ul-ihram (Allahu Akbar) followed by six more takbeers in the first rakah. Reciting the opening supplication is optional.
- For each takbeer from the Imam, you have to raise your hands and quietly recite ‘subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wala ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar’. This will be followed with the imam reciting Surah Al Fatihah and another surah out loud. The rest of the group should quietly listen to the imam during this phase with their arms folded across their bodies.
- At the call of ‘Allahu Akbar’, you will go in a position of bowing known as rukua. Next at the call of ‘Sami Allahu liman Hamidah’, you will stand tall again and say quietly ‘Rabbana lakal Hamd’. Next, the Imam will say ‘Allahu Akbar’, which is an intimation to go in sujud (prostration). After two sujuds, your first rak’ah of Eid prayer will be complete. Rise up at the call of Allahu Akbar.
- Five takbeers will be called during the second rak’ah, and you will repeat the call and action of the imam. In between the takbeers, you have to say ‘Subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wala ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar’.
- Listen to the imam reciting Surah Al Fatihah and an additional surah. Then follow the same procedure for rukua and sujoods as you did in the first rak’ah. After the two sujoods, you will sit for Tashshahud. Once completed, the Imam will call ‘Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah’ and turn his head towards the right shoulder and then to the left as well. Simply follow the imam and your Eid prayer at home would be completed.
- When offering prayer as an individual, you will be your own Imam.
FAQs
Can I pray the Eid prayer at home individually?
Yes, Eid prayers can be offered at home even if you are alone.
What are the Eid prayer timings?
Eid prayers can be performed starting 15 to 20 minutes after the sunrise. You can pray until ‘zawal’ time, i.e. 10 to 15 minutes before Dhuhr prayer.
When do I have to pay the fitrana (Fitra)?
You have to pay the Fitra amount in full before the Eid prayer.
Can I eat something before the Eid prayer?
Yes, it is Islamic tradition to eat something sweet before the prayer. In fact, it is sunnah to have an odd number of dates. However, it is not obligatory.
What is the appropriate dressing for praying Eid namaz at home?
It is the same as it would be for prayers in a mosque. If you have been able to order new clothes, that would be ideal. If not, you always use clean clothes that fit the Islamic requirements.
Is Eid prayer compulsory for women?
Performing Eid prayers is not obligatory for women, however, it is a recommended sunnah.
If you want to learn how can a woman pray Eid prayer at home, please note that the procedure for Eid prayer for ladies at home is the same as stated above.
How many takbeers are there in Eid prayer?
Eid-e-Salat consists of two rak’ahs in which you have to say twelve takbeers in total.
For now, as advised by Islamic scholars, people can offer Eid ul Fitr prayer at home. Once, you have offered the prayer, you can start your Eid celebrations in accordance with the government’s guidelines!
If you’re looking to unwind during your Eid break, check out all the staycation deals in Dubai for Eid! Alternatively, if you are planning to bring the festive spirit to your home, take a look at our guide to decorating your home for Eid.
Do you want to make this Eid Al Fitr a memorable one? Then take a look at our ideas to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home in Dubai that guarantee a fun time for adults and kids.
No celebration is complete without food. Try some traditional Eid food from around the world to make your taste buds happy.
Discover more ways to enjoy Eid Al Fitr in the UAE this year on MyBayut!