Correct Time for Eid Prayers Explained

Understanding the Correct Time for Eid Prayers

The prayer for Eid al-Fitr will be performed on the 1st of Shawwal, and the prayer for Eid al-Adha will be performed on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah. The time for both of these prayers is after the Fajr prayer, starting from the time when the sun has risen until just before the time of Zuhr (i.e., until the sun reaches its zenith). The time for both Eid prayers is the same, and there is no difference in the timing of these two prayers according to authentic hadith.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said that when the sun has risen one or two spear lengths, then perform the prayer. This command applies both to regular voluntary prayers and to the Eid prayers.

Said ibn ‘Amr ibn Abasa al-Salami (رضي الله عنه) narrates: قلتُ يا رسولَ اللَّهِ أيُّ اللَّيلِ أسمَعُ قالَ جوفُ اللَّيلِ الآخرُ فصلِّ ما شئتَ فإنَّ الصَّلاةَ مشْهودةٌ مَكتوبةٌ حتَّى تصلِّيَ الصُّبحَ ثمَّ أقصر حتَّى تطلعَ الشَّمسُ فترتفعَ قيسَ رمحٍ أو رمحينِ فإنَّها تطلعُ بينَ قرني شيطانٍ ويصلِّي لَها الْكفَّارُ ثمَّ صلِّ ما شئتَ فإنَّ الصَّلاةَ مشْهودَةٌ مَكتوبةٌ حتَّى يعدلَ الرُّمحُ ظلَّهُ
(Sahih Abu Dawood: 1277)

Translation: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, which part of the night is the most virtuous for prayer?” He (ﷺ) said: “The last part of the night, so pray as much as you like, for the prayer is witnessed and its reward is recorded, until you pray Fajr. Then, stop until the sun rises, and it rises one or two spear lengths high. Indeed, it rises between the two horns of Satan, and during this time the disbelievers worship it. Then, pray as much as you like, for the prayer is witnessed and its reward is recorded, until the shadow of the spear is equal in length.”

From the above hadith, the following key points can be derived:

1. The term “Qays Ramah” (a spear length) is understood as the measurement of the sun’s height after it rises. The length of a spear is generally considered to be around twelve hand spans. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) explains that when the sun rises, and it has reached a height equal to one spear’s length (about one meter), the time when forbidden prayer times end has passed. Based on time, this is generally about ten to fifteen minutes after sunrise. It’s not much longer than this. However, as a precaution, we can say that the forbidden time ends about fifteen minutes after the sun rises.
   
2. From this hadith, we also understand that after Fajr prayer, the time to perform additional prayers (whether voluntary or Eid prayers) is when the sun has risen and reached at least one meter above the horizon, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
   
3. Once the sun has risen to the height of a spear (around one meter), the prohibited time ends, and from this point until Zuhr, voluntary prayers can be performed, including the Eid prayers.
   
4. The best and most virtuous time for the Eid prayer is at the beginning of its permissible time, which is when the sun has risen to a height equivalent to one spear length. However, if the prayer is performed later, it is still valid. The end time for Eid prayer is until the time of Zuhr.
   
5. The time of sunrise is when the sun rises between the two horns of Satan, and during this time, the disbelievers worship the sun. This is why the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited any prayer from being performed during this time.
   

From this narration, we clearly learn that the best time for the Eid prayer is when the sun rises to a height equal to one spear length, and this is also confirmed in another hadith.

Yazid ibn Khumayr al-Rajhi (رضي الله عنه) narrates: خرجَ عبدُ اللَّهِ بنُ بُسْرٍ صاحبُ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ معَ النَّاسِ في يومِ عيدِ فطرٍ أو أضحَى فأنكرَ إبطاءَ الإمامِ فقالَ إنَّا كنَّا قد فرغنا ساعتَنا هذِه وذلِك حينَ التَّسبيحِ
(Sahih Abu Dawood: 1135)

Translation: Abdullah ibn Busr (رضي الله عنه), a companion of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), went out with the people on the day of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, and he disliked the delay of the Imam. He said: “We had already finished our prayer at this time, which is the time of Tahajjud (before dawn).”

From this hadith, we understand that the best time for the Eid prayer is early in the morning, but it also indicates that the prayer can still be valid if it is performed after the best time, as Abdullah ibn Busr (رضي الله عنه) simply disliked the Imam’s delay in performing the prayer. Another important point from this hadith is that the time for both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers was the same during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Some scholars have suggested performing the Eid al-Fitr prayer slightly later and the Eid al-Adha prayer earlier. The reason behind this is that one of the important tasks on Eid al-Fitr day is the payment of the Zakat al-Fitr, which should be done before the Eid prayer. Delaying the prayer a little helps people to complete the Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer. On the other hand, one of the important tasks on Eid al-Adha is the sacrifice, which should be performed after the Eid prayer. By performing the prayer early, people will have enough time to perform the sacrifice, distribute the meat, and share it with others.

This difference is also reported from reliable scholars, and there is no harm in following it, as the prayer is performed during its permissible time. However, from my limited perspective, a slight delay in the Eid al-Fitr prayer doesn’t make a significant difference, because the preferred time for giving Zakat al-Fitr starts as soon as the Eid moon is sighted, and according to the time of permissibility, people can give Zakat al-Fitr one or two days before Eid. Delaying the prayer intentionally leads people to delay the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. If the prayer is not delayed, people will give it on time. Therefore, it is better and preferable to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer at its early time. As you have already read, the companion Abdullah bin Busr (رضي الله عنه) disliked the delay in Eid prayer. I have not found any authentic narration regarding the difference in times for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

1. One narration comes as follows: كان النبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ يُصلِّي بنا يومَ الفطرِ والشمسُ على قيدِ رُمحيْنِ والأضحَى على قيدِ رُمْحٍ
   (Arwa’ al-Ghalil: 3/101)

Translation: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to lead us in the Eid al-Fitr prayer when the sun was at the height of two spear lengths and the Eid al-Adha prayer when the sun was at the height of one spear.

Sheikh al-Albani (رحمه الله) mentioned that the criticizers unanimously agree on the fabrication of this hadith due to the dishonesty of Mu’alla ibn Hilal. Refer to the above-mentioned source from Arwa’ al-Ghalil.

2. Another narration is as follows: أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ – صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم – كتب إلى عمرو بنِ حَزْمٍ وهو بِنَجْرانَ : عَجِّلِ الأضحى وأَخِّرِ الفِطرَ وذَكِّرِ الناسَ۔

Translation: Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wrote to Amr bin Hazm, who was in Najran: “Hasten the Eid al-Adha prayer and delay the Eid al-Fitr prayer, and remind the people.”

This is a mursal narration, which was narrated by Imam Shafi’i, and Sheikh al-Albani (رحمه الله) mentioned that the transmitter, Mahtham, is weak. Refer to the Takhreej Mishkat al-Masabih: 1394.

Sometimes, the announcement of Eid is made after the time of Zuhr, and as we have learned above, Eid prayers can only be performed until the time of Zuhr. In such a case, it is recommended to break the fast and perform the Eid prayer the next day.

Abu ‘Amir bin Anas narrates from his uncles, who were companions of the Prophet (ﷺ):

أنَّ رَكبًا جاءوا إلى النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ يشهدونَ أنَّهم رأوا الهلالَ بالأمسِ فأمرَهم أن يفطروا وإذا أصبحوا أن يغدوا إلى مصلَّاهم
(Sahih Abu Dawood: 1157)

Translation: A group of people came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and testified that they had seen the moon the previous evening. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed them to break their fast and to go to the prayer ground the following morning.

Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Northern Taif (Masrah)