Salat al-Eidain: Six Additional Takbeerat and Rulings in Hanafi Fiqh

The two festive days of Islam—Eid al-Fitr (celebrating the completion of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim)—are inaugurated with a special congregational prayer known as Salat al-Eid. In the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, performing Salat al-Eid is Wajib (strictly obligatory) upon every sane, adult male who is legally required to pray Salat al-Jumu’ah. The unique signature of the Hanafi Eid prayer is the pronunciation of six additional Takbeerat distributed symmetrically across both Rak’ahs.

Legal Status and Conditions

Unlike other madhhabs that classify Eid prayer as Sunnah Mu’akkadah or Fard Kifayah, the Hanafi position classifies it as Wajib. The prerequisites for the validity of Eid prayer mirror those of Jumu’ah, with two exceptions:

• 1. The Khutbah of Eid is delivered after the prayer, whereas the Khutbah of Jumu’ah precedes the prayer.
• 2. Listening to the Eid Khutbah is Sunnah, whereas the prayer itself is Wajib. However, remaining seated quietly during the sermon is highly emphasized.

Permissible Time Window: The time for Salat al-Eid begins when the sun has fully risen the height of a spearhead above the horizon (approximately 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise, ending the prohibited sunrise interval) and continues until the sun reaches its zenith (Istiwa’ / Zawal). If the time of Zawal arrives before performing the prayer, it cannot be offered on that day.

The Hanafi Method: The Six Additional Takbeerat

While other legal traditions recite seven Takbeerat in the first Rak’ah and five in the second, the authentic Hanafi method, transmitted by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and the senior Sahabah, consists of three additional Takbeerat in the first Rak’ah and three in the second Rak’ah (six total). There is no Adhan and no Iqamah for Eid prayer.

The First Rak’ah:

1. Intention: Intend in the heart: “I intend to perform two Rak’ahs of Wajib Eid al-Fitr (or Eid al-Adha) with six additional Takbeerat, following this Imam.”
2. Opening Takbeer: Raise both hands to the earlobes, say “Allahu Akbar”, and fold the hands beneath the navel.
3. Opening Supplication (Thana): Recite “Subhanakallahumma…” silently.
4. The First Additional Takbeer: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” audibly. Raise your hands to the earlobes and let them drop naturally to your sides. Pause for the duration of saying three Tasbeehs.
5. The Second Additional Takbeer: Raise your hands again saying “Allahu Akbar” and let them drop to your sides.
6. The Third Additional Takbeer: Raise your hands a third time saying “Allahu Akbar”, and fold them beneath the navel in the normal standing posture.
7. Recitation: The Imam recites Surah al-Fatihah and an additional Surah audibly (it is Sunnah to recite Surah al-A’la or Surah Qaf). Complete the Ruku’ and two prostrations normally.

The Second Rak’ah:

1. Standing Up: Rise for the second Rak’ah saying “Allahu Akbar” and fold your hands immediately beneath the navel.
2. Recitation Precedes Takbeerat: The Imam recites Surah al-Fatihah and an additional Surah (preferably Surah al-Ghashiyah or Surah al-Qamar) audibly before uttering the Takbeerat.
3. The First Additional Takbeer: Upon completing the Surah, raise your hands to the earlobes saying “Allahu Akbar” and drop them to your sides.
4. The Second Additional Takbeer: Raise your hands saying “Allahu Akbar” and drop them to your sides.
5. The Third Additional Takbeer: Raise your hands saying “Allahu Akbar” and drop them to your sides.
6. The Takbeer of Ruku’: Without raising the hands, the Imam says “Allahu Akbar” and descends directly into the bowing posture (Ruku’). Follow him into Ruku’.
7. Conclusion: Complete the prostrations, sit for the final sitting, recite Tashahhud, Salawat, and Duas, and conclude with the final Salam.

The Sunnahs and Etiquettes of the Eid Days

To celebrate Eid in the prophetic manner, observe the following Sunnah practices:

• Ghusl and Attire: Taking a full ritual bath, cleaning teeth with Miswak, wearing one’s best clothes, and applying pleasant fragrance.
• Eating Before the Prayer: On Eid al-Fitr, it is Sunnah to eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the prayer. On Eid al-Adha, it is Sunnah to abstain from food until returning from prayer and eating from one’s sacrificial meat.
• Paying Zakat al-Fitr: On Eid al-Fitr, ensuring Fitrana is paid to the poor prior to the commencement of the prayer.
• Pronouncing the Takbeerat of Tashriq: On Eid al-Adha, reciting audibly from the Fajr of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah until the Asr of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd.”
• Taking Alternate Routes: Walking to the Eid gathering via one path and returning by a completely different route.

Conclusion

Salat al-Eid unites the Muslim Ummah in gratitude, collective joy, and spiritual elevation. Adhering to the verified Hanafi methodology honors the pristine prophetic tradition and maximizes the blessings of these sacred days.