Sunnah Method of Eid Prayers: Rules and Details
Question: Can Eid prayers be offered at home or in the mosque, or is it necessary to go to the Eidgah? Can women offer Eid prayer at home alone or in congregation? And what is the time and Sunnah method of Eid prayer? Also, how many extra Takbeers are there in Eid prayers, and will Raf-ul-Yadain (raising hands) be done with the extra Takbeers?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah:
- Whether men or women, it is not correct for anyone to offer Eid prayer in the mosque or at home without an excuse; rather, women, children, and men shall all offer Eid prayer outside in an open field.
Umm Atiya (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
(During the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him) we were ordered to go out to the Eidgah on the day of Eid. The virgin girls and menstruating women would also come out in veils. They would stay behind the men, veiled. When the men said Takbeer, they would also say it, and when they supplicated, they would also supplicate. They hoped for the blessing and purity of that day.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 971)
Hafsa bint Sirin (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
We used to stop our young virgin girls from going to the Eidgah. Then a woman came and stayed at the palace of Banu Khalaf, and she narrated on the authority of her sister (Umm Atiya), whose husband participated in twelve battles with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and her sister herself went with her husband in six battles. She stated: “We used to dress the wounds of the injured and look after the sick. My sister once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): ‘If one of us does not have a Chador (outer garment/veil), is there any harm if she does not go out (for Eid prayer)?’ He (peace be upon him) said: ‘Her companion should cover her with part of her own Chador, so they may participate in the good occasions and the supplications of the Muslims (i.e., go to the Eidgah).'”
Then when Umm Atiya (May Allah be pleased with her) came, I asked her the same question. She said, “May my father be sacrificed for him, yes, he (peace be upon him) said this.” And whenever Umm Atiya mentioned the Prophet (peace be upon him), she would surely say, “May my father be sacrificed for him.” (She said) “I heard him saying that young girls, veiled women, and menstruating women should also come out and participate in the good occasions and the supplications of the Muslims, but the menstruating women should stay away from the prayer area (Musalla).” Hafsa says, “I asked, ‘Even the menstruating one?’ She replied, ‘Does she not go to Arafat and such and such places? (Meaning, when she goes to all these holy places, why not go to the Eidgah?)'”
(Sahih Bukhari Hadith No. 324)
(Sahih Muslim Hadith No. 890)
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would go out on the day of Eidain (the two Eids) and would also order his family members to go out (towards the Eidgah).
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 14913) Hasan Li-Ghayrihi
- The Hadith states that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered all people to go to the Eidgah, even regarding women who did not have a Chador, he said they should borrow one but must go to the Eidgah. And when asked if menstruating women should also go? He said yes, menstruating women should also go to the Eidgah; they should not pray, but they must participate in the supplications of the Muslims.
- People ask what is the proof for women going to the Eidgah? I say, what greater proof can there be than the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him)?
- According to Shariah, women cannot gather and offer Eid prayer in congregation at home on their own. Similarly, designating a place separate from the Eidgah specifically for women to offer Eid prayer alone is not correct according to Shariah; because this will be counted as an innovation (Bid’ah).
Saudi Mufti Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked:
“A woman asks: We do not have arrangements for women to offer Eid prayer here, so I gather women in my house and lead them in Eid prayer. What is the ruling on this? Please note that there is a reasonable arrangement for Pardah (veiling) in my house and it is away from men.”
He replied:
“The ruling on this is that it is an innovation (Bid’ah); because Eid prayer is offered in congregation with men, and women have been ordered to go to the Eidgah. Therefore, women will offer Eid prayer in congregation with men; however, they will offer the prayer in a veiled place separate from and behind the men.
Whereas offering Eid prayer at home is a very big mistake; because it is not found anywhere during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or the Companions that women offered Eid prayer in any house.” End quote.
“Fatawa Nur ala Al-Darb” (189/8)
If there were permission to offer Eid prayer at home, it would have been for the woman who did not have a veil, yet Shariah did not accept her excuse either and said she should ask someone for it but must go to the Eidgah. And if there were a concession for not going to the Eidgah, it would have been for the woman who is menstruating, who is not even to pray, yet the Holy Prophet ordered her not to pray but to go to the Eidgah and participate in the supplication and goodness of the Muslims.
- Therefore, men should ensure arrangements for Pardah for women at the Eidgah, and women should obey the command of Shariah and go out towards the Eidgah and offer Eid prayer with the Muslims while observing the veil.
- It is necessary to go to the Eidgah and offer prayer in congregation, but if due to some compulsion like rain, fear, or Coronavirus etc., one cannot go to the Eidgah, then some individuals can gather and offer Eid prayer in congregation at their village or neighborhood mosque, outhouse, home, or any place.
(Once) on the day of Eid, it started raining, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) led them in Eid prayer in the mosque.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1160)
Its chain of narration is weak.
قال الإمام البخاري في صحيحه
:[ باب إذا فاتته صلاة العيد يصلي ركعتين ، وكذلك النساء ومن كان في البيوت والقرى لقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : هذا عيدنا أهل الإسلام وأمر أنس بن مالك
مولاه ابن أبي عتبة بالزاوية فجمع أهله وبنيه وصلى كصلاة أهل المصر وتكبيرهم . وقال عكرمة : أهل السواد يجتمعون في العيد يصلون ركعتين كما يصنع الإمام .
وقال عطاء : إذا فاته العيد صلى ركعتين]
Translation:
Imam Bukhari states in Sahih Bukhari:
Sahih Bukhari / Book: Regarding the issues of Eidain.
Chapter: If someone misses the Eid (congregation), he should pray two Rak’ats… And women should do the same, and those who are in homes and villages and could not come to the congregation (should also do the same), because of the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “O people of Islam! This is our Eid.”
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) ordered his freed slave Ibn Abi Utbah, who lived in a village named Zawiyah, to gather his family and children and pray Eid prayer and say Takbeers just like the people of the city. Ikrimah said regarding the people living in the outskirts of the city that on the day of Eid, they should gather and pray two Rak’ats just as the Imam does. Ata said that if someone misses the Eid (congregation), he should pray two Rak’ats (alone).
(Sahih Bukhari Before Hadith-987)
وذكر الحافظ ابن حجر أن أثر أنس المذكور قد وصله ابن أبي شيبة في المصنف وقوله الزاوية اسم موضع بالقرب من البصرة كان به لأنس قصر وأرض وكان يقيم هناك كثيراً . وقول عكرمة وعطاء وصلهما
ابن أبي شيبة أيضاً ]
(صحيح البخاري مع شرحه فتح الباري 3/127-128 )
Translation:
And Hafiz Ibn Hajar (May Allah have mercy on him) mentions that the mentioned Athar (narration) of Anas (RA) has been connected by Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musannaf. And his saying ‘Zawiyah’ is the name of a place near Basra where Anas (RA) had a palace and land, and he used to reside there often. And Ibn Abi Shaybah has also connected the statements of Ikrimah and Ata in his Musannaf.
وروى البيهقي بإسناده عن عبيد الله بن أبي بكر بن أنس بن مالك خادم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال :[ كان أنس إذا فاتته صلاة العيد مع الإمام ، جمع أهله فصلى بهم مثل صلاة الإمام في العيد ]. ثم قال البيهقي :[ ويذكر عن أنس بن مالك أنه كان بمنزله بالزاوية فلم يشهد العيد بالبصرة جمع مواليه وولده ثم يأمر مولاه عبد الله بن أبي عتبة فيصلي بهم كصلاة أهل المصر ركعتين ويكبربهم كتكبيرهم].
Translation:
And Bayhaqi has narrated with his chain from Ubaidullah bin Abi Bakr bin Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), who said: When Anas missed the Eid prayer with the Imam, he would gather his family and pray with them just like the Imam’s prayer on Eid.
Bayhaqi says that it is mentioned about Anas bin Malik that he was at his home in Zawiyah and did not witness the Eid in Basra; he gathered his freed slaves and his children, then ordered his freed slave Abdullah bin Abi Utbah, who led them in prayer like the prayer of the city people, two Rak’ats, and said Takbeers with them like their Takbeers.
(Sunan Al-Bayhaqi 3/305)
Allama Albani (May Allah have mercy on him) gathering his family and praying Eid at home due to the intensity of rain:
صلاة العلامة الألباني العيد في منزله لتعذّر الوصول إلى المصلّى.
ذكرت إحدى زوجات العلامة الألباني رحمه الله: أنه في يوم عيد كانت السماء تمطر مطراً شديداً، ولا سبيل للوصول إلى المصلّى إلا بمشقة.
So Sheikh Albani gathered his family in the house and prayed two Rak’ats with Takbeers, then he delivered a sermon to them.
(Kunasha Al-Beiruti (4/1943)
And then there is the command of Allah Almighty.
In the Quran, Allah Almighty says:
فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ مَا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَاسۡمَعُوۡا وَاَطِيۡعُوۡا۔۔!
So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey...
(Surah At-Taghabun – Verse No. 16)
- Therefore, based on any excuse, if some people cannot go to the Eidgah, they can gather some individuals in their village/neighborhood mosque, or any open space or house, and offer Eid prayer. The method will be the same: first the prayer and then the sermon. And if a solitary person could not reach the Eidgah or there is no one to deliver the sermon at a place, they should offer the Eid prayer—two Rak’ats with extra Takbeers—either with a congregation or alone, without a sermon.1
It is Sunnah to go to and return from Eid prayer on foot.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would go to Eid on foot and return on foot.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1294) Hasan
The time for Eid prayers is from after the sun has risen until before Zawal (midday)
The Companion of the Messenger, Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him), came out with the people on the day of Eid ul-Fitr or Eid ul-Adha, and he disliked the Imam’s delay and said: “We would have finished the Eid prayer by this time,” and that was the time of Ishraq (shortly after sunrise).
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1136)
From this Hadith, where we learn about offering Eid prayer at the earliest time, we also learn that the prayer offered after the first and preferred time is valid as long as it is before Zawal.
This is because Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him) only expressed dislike for offering Eid prayer with some delay.
Another point known here is that the time for Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha was the same in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
Some scholars have suggested offering Eid ul-Fitr prayer with a slight delay and Eid ul-Adha prayer quickly. The reason is that on the day of Eid ul-Fitr, one of the important tasks is the payment of Fitrana, the time for which is before the Eid ul-Fitr prayer; if this prayer is delayed slightly, it will facilitate people in paying Fitrana.
And on the day of Eid ul-Adha, one of the important tasks is offering the sacrifice (Qurbani), the time for which is after the Eid ul-Adha prayer.
If this prayer is offered quickly at the earliest time, it will be easier for people to offer the sacrifice
If the news of the Eid moon is received after Zawal
Abu Umair bin Anas reports that:
My Ansari uncles, who were among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him),12 narrated13 to me that the moon of Shawwal was doubtful for us, so we fasted in the morning. Then at the end of the day, some riders came and bore witness before the Prophet (peace be upon him) that they had seen the moon yesterday. So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered the people to break their fast and to go out for Eid the next morning.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1158)
Sometimes the news of Eid is received after Zawal, and from this Hadith, it is known that Eid prayers can only be offered until Zawal. If it could be offered after Zawal, he (peace be upon him) would not have ordered to offer the prayer the next day.
Therefore, in this case, one should break the fast and offer Eid prayer the next day.
The Sunnah Method of Eid Prayers
- Eid Prayer is without Adhan and Iqamah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) offered the prayer on the day of Eid without Adhan and Iqamah.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 962)
Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him): He said: I attended the prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on the day of Eid. He started with the prayer before the sermon, without Adhan and without Iqamah. Then he stood up leaning on Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him), commanded the fear of Allah (Taqwa), urged obedience to Him, and advised the people… End quote!
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 886)
- Eid Prayer is before the Sermon (Khutbah)
The Prophet (peace be upon him), Abu Bakr, and Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to offer the Eid prayer before the sermon.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1276) Sahih
- Sunnah Recitation in Eid Prayer
Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) asked Abu Waqid al-Laithy (May Allah be pleased with him): “What Surahs did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) use to recite in Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr?” He replied: “He (peace be upon him) used to recite «ق والقرآن المجيد» (Surah Qaf) and «اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر» (Surah Al-Qamar) in them.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1155)
Reading these Surahs is Sunnah, not mandatory. Apart from these, if one wishes to read any other Surah, they may do so; there is no harm.
- Eid Prayer consists of two Rak’ats and twelve Takbeers
The second Caliph of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Umar ibn al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), stated: ” The prayer of travel is two Rak’ats, the prayer of the Day of Sacrifice (Big Eid) is two Rak’ats, the prayer of the Day of Fitr (Small Eid) is two Rak’ats, and the Friday prayer is two Rak’ats. These are complete, not shortened, (and this ruling is) upon the tongue of Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 257)
(Sunan An-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 1420)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say seven Takbeers in the first Rak’ah of Eidain (two Eids) before recitation, and five Takbeers in the second Rak’ah before recitation.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1277) Sahih
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said twelve Takbeers in the Eid prayer: seven in the first and five in the second, and he did not offer any (voluntary) prayer before or after it.
Abdullah bin Ahmad says: My father Imam Ahmad said: “And this is my Madhhab (school of thought) as well (that twelve Takbeers be said).”
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 6668) Hasan
(Sunan Abu Dawood Hadith No. 1151) Hasan
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1278) Hasan Sahih
Mother of the Believers Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said seven and five Takbeers in Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, apart from the Takbeers of Ruku.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1280) Sahih
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1149, 1150) Sahih
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 24409, 24362) Hasan Li-Ghayrihi
Amr bin Auf Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) says: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said seven Takbeers in the Eidain in the first Rak’ah before recitation and five in the second Rak’ah before recitation. Imam Tirmidhi says:
- Hadiths have also been narrated from Aisha, Ibn Umar, and Abdullah bin Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) in this chapter.
- The Hadith of Kathir’s grandfather is Hasan, and it is the best narration reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this chapter.
- Some people of knowledge among the Companions and others act upon this.
- And it is narrated similarly from Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that he prayed this way in Medina.
- And this is also the saying of the people of Medina, and this is what Malik bin Anas, Shafi’i, Ahmad, and Ishaq bin Rahwayh say.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 536) Hadith Sahih
- From all these authentic Hadiths, it is proven that the Eid prayer is Sunnah with twelve Takbeers: seven in the first Rak’ah before recitation and five Takbeers in the second Rak’ah before recitation.
- In some narrations, there is a difference of opinion among the Companions regarding Eid Takbeers
Six Takbeers are also proven from some Companions; in some, eight is mentioned, and some are convinced of eleven.
Ibn Abd al-Barr (May Allah have mercy on him) says:
“It is reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) with multiple Hasan chains that he (peace be upon him) used to say seven Takbeers in the first Rak’ah of Eidain prayer and five Takbeers in the second Rak’ah… Whereas there is considerable difference among the Companions regarding saying Takbeers in Eidain, and there is also considerable difference among their Successors (Tabi’un) regarding this.” End quote.
(“At-Tamhid” (16/ 37-39))
The nature of difference in such issues is such that it is difficult to call the opponent’s action rejected; how can it be rejected when this action is reported from the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them)?! While the status and rank of the Companions is that they are the Imams of Ijtihad, the people of Hadith, and worthy of being followed.
This is why Imam Ahmad (May Allah have mercy on him) declares every action permissible regarding the extra Takbeers in Eidain prayer that is reported from the Companions. Thus, Imam Ahmad says:
“The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) differed regarding the extra Takbeers of Eidain, and it is permissible to act upon all of them.” End quote.
(“Al-Furu'” (3/201))
From this, it is known that there is no harm for the person who acts according to an action proven from the Companions.
Although it is preferred that, in accordance with the Sunnah, seven Takbeers be said in the first Rak’ah and five in the second…!
- Raf-ul-Yadain (Raising Hands) should also be done with the extra Takbeers of Eidain
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) narrates:
کَانَ رَسُولُ اللّٰہِ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَی الصَّلَاۃِ رَفَعَ یَدَیْہِ، حَتّٰی إِذَا کَانَتَا حَذْوَ مَنْکِبَیْہِ کَبَّرَ، ثُمَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ یَّرْکَعَ رَفَعَہُمَا، حَتّٰی یَکُونَا حَذْوَ مَنْکِبَیْہِ، کَبَّرَ وَہُمَا کَذٰلِکَ، فَرَکَعَ، ثُمَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ یَّرْفَعَ صُلْبَہٗ رَفَعَہُمَا، حَتّٰی یَکُونَا حَذْوَ مَنْکِبَیْہِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : سَمِعَ اللّٰہُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَہٗ، ثُمَّ یَسْجُدُ، فَلَا یَرْفَعُ یَدَیْہِ فِي السُّجُودِ، وَرَفَعَہُمَا فِي کُلِّ رَکْعَۃٍ وَّتَکْبِیرَۃٍ کَبَّرَہَا قَبْلَ الرُّکُوعِ، حَتّٰی تَنْقَضِيَ صَلَاتُہٗ ۔
“When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood for prayer, he would raise both his hands until they were level with his shoulders, then he would say ‘Allahu Akbar’. Then when he intended to bow (Ruku), he would raise them both until they were level with his shoulders, and saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ in that state, he would bow. Then when he intended to raise his back from Ruku, he would raise them both until they were level with his shoulders, then say: ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah’. Then he would prostrate, but he did not raise his hands in prostration. However, he raised them both in every Rak’ah and every Takbeer he said before Ruku, until his prayer was completed.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 722)
Hadith Sahih
(Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Hadithiyyah Vol 10/Pg 315)
This Hadith proves that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed Raf-ul-Yadain on every Takbeer said before Ruku. Since the Takbeers of Eidain are also before Ruku, therefore, doing Raf-ul-Yadain in them is proven from the Prophetic Sunnah.
- Imams of Hadith have also used this Hadith as evidence for Raf-ul-Yadain in the Takbeers of Eidain
Imam Shafi’i (Rahimahullah):
Imam Abu Abdullah, Muhammad bin Idris al-Shafi’i (Rahimahullah) (150-204 AH) says:
وَیَرْفَعُ یَدَیْہِ فِي کُلِّ تَکْبِیرَۃٍ عَلٰی جَنَازَۃٍ خَبَرًا، وَقِیَاسًا عَلٰی أَنَّہٗ تَکْبِیرٌ وَّہُوَ قَائِمٌ، وَفِي کُلِّ تَکْبِیرِ الْعِیدَیْنِ ۔
“Hands will be raised in every Takbeer of the funeral prayer, based on report (Hadith) and by analogy that it is a Takbeer while standing, and (similarly) in every Takbeer of the Eidain.”
(Al-Umm: 127/1)
Imam Ibn Mundhir (Rahimahullah):
Imam Abu Bakr, Muhammad bin Ibrahim, Ibn Mundhir al-Naysaburi (Rahimahullah) (242-319 AH) says:
وَلِأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمَ لَمَّا بَیَّنَ رَفْعَ الْیَدَیْنِ فِي کُلِّ تَکْبِیرَۃٍ یُّکَبِّرُہَا الْمَرْئُ وَہُوَ قَائِمٌ، وَکَانَتْ تَّکْبِیرَاتُ الْعِیدَیْنِ وَالْجَنَائِزِ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْقِیَامِ، ثَبَتَ رَفْعُ الْیَدَیْنِ فِیہَا ۔۔۔۔۔۔
“And because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained raising hands in every Takbeer a person says while standing, and the Takbeers of Eidain and Funerals are in the position of standing, raising hands in them is established…”
(Al-Awsat fi al-Sunan wa al-Ijma’ wa al-Ikhtilaf: 428/5)
He further states:
سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللّٰہِ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ یَّرْفَعَ الْمُصَلِّي یَدَیْہِ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاۃَ، وَإِذَا رَکَعَ، وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَہٗ مِنَ الرُّکُوعِ، وَکُلُّ ذٰلِکَ تَکْبِیرٌ فِي حَالِ الْقِیَامِ، فَکُلُّ مَنْ کَبَّرَ فِي حَالِ الْقِیَامِ رَفَعَ یَدَیْہِ اسْتِدْلَالًا بِالسُّنَّۃِ ۔
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made it a Sunnah for the worshiper to raise his hands when opening the prayer, when bowing, and when raising his head from bowing. All of these are Takbeers in the state of standing. Therefore, whoever says Takbeer in the state of standing shall raise his hands, inferring from the Sunnah.”
(Al-Awsat: 282/4)
Imam Bayhaqi (Rahimahullah):
Imam Abu Bakr, Ahmad bin Husayn, Bayhaqi (Rahimahullah) (384-458 AH) established a chapter on the aforementioned Hadith as follows: بَابُ رَفْعِ الْیَدَیْنِ فِي تَکْبِیرِ الْعِیدِ
“Chapter on Raising Hands in the Takbeer of Eid.”
(Al-Sunan Al-Kubra: 411/3)
Imam Awza’i (Rahimahullah):
Imam Abd al-Rahman bin Amr al-Awza’i (Rahimahullah) (D: 157 AH) was asked about raising hands in the Takbeers of Eidain, so he said:
نَعَمْ، اِرْفَعْ یَدَیْکَ مَعَ کُلِّھِنَّ ۔
“Yes, raise your hands with all of them.”
(Ahkam al-Eidain lil-Faryabi 136, and its chain is Sahih)
Imam Malik (Rahimahullah):
Imam Malik bin Anas (Rahimahullah) (93-179 AH) was asked, so he said:
نَعَمْ، اِرْفَعْ یَدَیْکَ مَعَ کُلِّ تَکْبِیرَۃٍ، وَلَمْ أَسْمَعْ فِیہِ شَیْئًا ۔
“Yes, raise your hands with every Takbeer, and I have not heard any difference (dissent) regarding this.”
(Ahkam al-Eidain lil-Faryabi: 137, and its chain is Sahih)
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah):
Imam of Ahlus Sunnah, Ahmad bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah) (164-241 AH) says:
یَرْفَعُ یَدَیْہِ فِي کُلِّ تَکْبِیرَۃٍ ۔
“He shall raise his hands in every Takbeer.”
(Masa’il Al-Imam Ahmad bi-Riwayat Abi Dawood: 87)
This is also the Madhhab of Imam Ishaq bin Rahwayh (Rahimahullah) (161-238 AH).
(Masa’il Al-Imam Ahmad wa Ishaq: 4054/8, M: 2890)
- Sermon without Pulpit (Minbar) after the Prayer
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would go to the Eidgah on the day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, he would first lead the prayer. After finishing the prayer, he (peace be upon him) would stand before the people. The people would remain seated in their rows, and he (peace be upon him) would preach and advise them, and command them to do good… End quote!
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 956)
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that during the reign of Muawiyah, Marwan, who was the governor of Medina, brought a pulpit out on the day of Eid and started the sermon before the prayer. A man stood up and said: “O Marwan! You have acted against the Sunnah. Firstly, you brought the pulpit on the day of Eid, whereas the pulpit was not brought out on this day. Secondly, you started the sermon before the prayer.” Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) asked: “Who is this?” People said: “He is so-and-so son of so-and-so.” Upon this, he said: “This person has fulfilled his duty. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying that whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1141)
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 956)
Listening to the Eid Sermon is not Obligatory like the Friday Sermon
Abdullah bin Sa’ib (May Allah be pleased with him) says: I attended Eid with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). When he finished the prayer, he said: “We are going to deliver the sermon, so whoever wishes to sit for the sermon may sit, and whoever wishes to leave may leave.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1290)
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1155)
If Eid and Friday fall on the same day, there is a concession to omit Friday (Congregation), but Dhuhr prayer must be offered
Iyas bin Abi Ramlah ash-Shami says:
I was present with Muawiyah bin Abu Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him) while he was asking Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him): “Did you witness two Eids falling on the same day with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?”
He said: “Yes.”
Muawiyah asked: “Then how did he (peace be upon him) do?”
He said: “He (peace be upon him) offered the Eid prayer, then gave a concession regarding Friday and said: ‘Whoever wishes to pray (Friday) may pray.'”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1070) Sahih
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1310) Sahih
- Imams (Khateebs) should organize Friday prayer in the mosque so that those who wish to pray Friday can do so
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Two Eids have come together on this day of yours. So there is a concession; whoever wishes, the Eid (prayer) will suffice him in place of Friday, but we will offer Friday prayer.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1073)
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1311)
- Raising hands for collective Dua after the Eid sermon is not proven from Sunnah
Raising hands for collective Dua after the Eid sermon is not proven from any Hadith.
It is a separate matter that many scholars have been practicing this for a long time, even though they admit that it is not proven from the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Dua mentioned in Hadith, that all people should participate in the Dua of the Muslims, refers to the remembrance (Dhikr), prayer, and sermon; that Dua can be the Dua within the prayer, or it means the words of supplication during the sermon. However, there is no evidence for making a separate collective Dua by raising hands after the sermon; therefore, one should abstain from it.
Therefore, all Imams should recite words of supplication as much as possible within the Eid sermon after the prayer, but should refrain from collective Dua with raised hands after the sermon.
((I will send a separate detailed series on this, Insha’Allah))
May Allah Almighty grant us all the ability to act upon the religion in the true sense.
- Ameen Ya Rabbul Alameen!!! *
(And Allah Almighty knows best what is correct)
Reference: https://alfurqan.info/problems/536
