May 19, 2020 - 26^th of Ramadhān 1441

1       Status of ‘Eid ṣalāh during normal conditions

Under normal circumstances, performing ‘Eid Ṣalāh is Wājib ‘alal Ayn (individual obligation) upon sane, mature, healthy males who are non-travellers. This means that the one who misses the ‘Eid prayer without a valid reason will be sinful. However, the sin will be of a slightly lesser degree than the sin of missing a Fardh Ṣalāh.

2       Conditions for ‘Eid ṣalāh

2.1      Khutbah for ‘Eid is emphasized sunnah but not necessary (for those unable to do it)

The conditions of the ‘Eid prayer are the same as that of the Jumu’ah prayer except for the Khutbah. The Khutbah is not a condition for the validity of the ‘Eid prayer; however, it is an emphasised Sunnah, and the Khutbah should be given.

2.2      Minimum number of participants

Furthermore, just like the Jumu’ah prayer, it is a condition for the validity of the ‘Eid prayer that there should be a minimum of four sane and mature males in the congregation.

Therefore, if there are four sane, mature males in a household, or if four such males can gather in a house without breaking social distancing laws, they should perform the ‘Eid prayer.

In addition to four males, women and children of the household may join the ‘Eid prayer.

If someone is not able to perform the ‘Eid prayer due to social distancing laws, they will be excused and will not be sinful.

2.3      What to do in case one cannot perform ‘Eid Ṣalāh this year?

2 or 4 Nafl (voluntary) Raka’āt can be performed individually with the intention of Ṣalāh ul Dhuḥā (mid-day prayer) without extra Takbīrs.

However, this should not be considered a replacement for the ‘Eid prayer. Even if we are not performing the actual eid ṣalāh, we should try to start our day of celebration with some act of worship.

Note: These guidelines are specific to the current situation. If the current lockdown rules change nearer to the day of ‘Eid, these guidelines will be revised. Under normal circumstances, the ‘Eid prayer should not be performed at home, rather it should be performed in a large congregation at large ‘Eid venues.

These guidelines have been adapted from those of Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians

3       Method of ‘Eid Ṣalāh

1) Make the intention for ‘Eid Ṣalāh before starting: "I am performing ‘Eid Ṣalāh for Allah Ta’ala with six additional Takbīrs.”

Note: the intention does not need to be uttered, but maybe voiced if it helps one concentrate.

2) The prayer begins with the first takbīr (Allahu Akbar) followed by Thana (hands will be folded)

3) The Imam will then pronounce three additional Takbīrs.

For the 1^st and 2^nd takbīr, the hands should be raised and then dropped to the side.
For the 3^rd takbīr, the hands should be raised and then folded. After this, the Imam will recite Surah Fātiḥah, an additional Surah, and then complete the Rak’ah as usual.

4) In the second Rak’ah, the Imam will recite Surah Fātiḥah, an additional Surah, and then pronounce three additional Takbīrs. After each takbīr (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd), the hands will be raised and dropped to the sides.

Thereafter, the Imam will pronounce a 4^th takbīr in which everyone will go into Ruku’ without raising his hands. The Ṣalāh will then be completed as usual.

5) After the Ṣalāh, it is Sunnah for the Imām to deliver two Khutbas between which he will sit for a short while. The Khutbah should be delivered while standing. A chair can be used for the sitting in between the two Khutbas. It is Wājib (compulsory) for everyone to listen to the Khutbah.

A short Khutbah is provided at the end of this document.

4       Additional Rulings Pertaining to ‘Eid and the ‘Eid Prayer

1. The time for the ‘Eid prayer is 20 minutes after sunrise till Zawāl (beginning of Zuhr time).
2. Sadaqah fitr should be discharged before setting out to the ‘Eid Ṣalāh
3. There is no Adhān or Iqāmah in the ‘Eid prayer.
4. There should be a short gap between the extra Takbīrs for the duration it would take to say Subhan Allah three times.
5. If any of the extra Takbīrs are forgetfully omitted or more than six Takbīrs are said, Sajdah Sahw should be performed at the end. (The ruling is different for very large congregations)
6. Du’ā can be made after the ‘Eid prayer prior to the Khutbah; however, it is not necessary.
7. It is Sunnah to eat something sweet prior to ‘Eid prayer on ‘Eid al Fitr.
8. One should wear one’s best clothes and apply perfume even if one is performing ‘Eid Ṣalāh at home.
9. The Sahabah would greet each other by saying, “Taqabbala Allahu Minnā Wa Minkum” (May Allah accept from us and you) on the day of ‘Eid. It is also permitted to say ‘Eid Mubārak.

Hugging each other is not proven from the Sunnah. However, it is permissible to hug each other out of happiness provided it is done without considering it to be a Sunnah. During these times of physical distancing, please be mindful of following government guidelines.

Short ‘Eid Khutbas

5       First Khutbah

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ (9x)

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ اَسْتَعِيْنُهُ وَاَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنْ شُرُوْرِ اَنْفُسِنَا مَنْ يَّهْدِى اللّٰهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنْ لآَّ اِلٰـهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ اَرْسَلَهُ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَىِ السَّاعَةِ

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدِ

وَقَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ عِيْدًا، وَهَذَا عِيْدُنَا

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ ﷺ زَكَوةَ الْفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِنْ تَمَرٍ أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيْرٍ وَّأَمَرَ بِهَا أَنْ تُؤَدّٰى قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ النَّاسِ إِلىٰ الصَّلوٰة

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدِ

6       Second Khutbah

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ  (7x)

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ اَسْتَعِيْنُهُ وَاَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنْ شُرُوْرِ اَنْفُسِنَا مَنْ يَّهْدِى اللّٰهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنْ لآَّ اِلٰـهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ وَمَلٓئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّوْنَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ – يٰاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا صَلُّوْا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيمًا

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ وَصَلِّ عَلىٰ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ وَالْمُسْلِمِيْنَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَبَارِكْ عَلىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ

اِنَّ اللَّهَ يَاْمُرُ بَالْعَدْلِ وَالْاِحْسَانِ وَاِيْتَآِء ذِى القُرْبىٰ وَيَنْهىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَآءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْىِ - يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُوْنَ◌
فَاذْكُرُوْنِىٓ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِىْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ