'Idayn Salah (صلاة العيدين ) (Prayers for the Two Festivals)
Muslims celebrate only two festivals every year. One is called ‘Id al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast) and the other one is called ‘Id al-Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice).
(Festival of Breaking Fast) is celebrated on the first of Shawwal (The 10th month of Islamic Calendar), a day after Ramadan; the month of fasting.
In ‘Id al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast), Sadaqatul Fitr (Charity) money is distributed by the well-off to the poor and the needy before starting out for the Musalla (Place of ‘Id Prayer) and not after reaching there. (Bukhari, Muslim)
‘Id al-Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (The 12th and the last month of the Islamic Calendar) to commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim عليه السلام (Abraham) when he offered to sacrifice his elder son Isma’il عليه السلام (Ishmael) to Allah (God).
Muslims always remember Allah (God) in their times of happiness or sorrow and begin their festivals by offering special prayers for the ‘Idayn (Two Festivals).
One should go for ‘Id al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast) prayer after eating something and they eat after returning from ‘Id al-Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice) preferably from the sacrificed animal. (Bukhari)
‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) are offered early in the morning soon after sunrise.
‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) are usually offered outside, in open places called Musalla (Place of ‘Id Prayer).
Because of space constraints or weather extremes, ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) can also be offered in Masajid (Mosques).
Two different routes should be used for going to and returning from the Musalla (Place of ‘Id Prayer).
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: On the Day of 'Id the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to return (after offering the 'Id prayer) through a way different from that by which he went.
Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book 15, 102 |
The following Takbir is said on the way to and also after reaching Musalla (Place of ‘Id Prayer) and while returning home as well.
الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر
لا إله إلا الله
الله أكبر الله أكبر
ولله الحمد
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Alahu Akbar
la ilaha illallah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
wa li-illahi al-hamd
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest,
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest There is no deity but Allah
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah goes all praise
‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) are offered without any Adhan (Call for Prayer) or Iqamah (Second call for Prayer).
The ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) are among the Muwakkadah Sunnah (Emphasized Traditions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Two Rak’ah (Units) are offered for ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals).
Twelve extra Takabir (Allahu Akbar) are said in ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals), which is offered in the following manner (Tirmidhi, 536; Ibn Majah):
- The Imam (Leader for Prayer) recites Istiftah Du’a after Takbir Tahrimah (First Allahu Akbar).
- The Imam (Leader for Prayer) calls out seven Takabir (Allahu Akbar). Rafa’ Yadayn (Raising both hands up to the shoulder level) is done for each Takbir (Allahu Akbar). Fold hands over chest or leave them on sides after each Takbir (Allahu Akbar).
- The Imam (Leader for Prayer) recites Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening Chapter) loudly. Muqtadi (Followers) should repeat it silently.
- The Imam (Leader for Prayer) recites another short Surah (Chapter) which Muqtadi (Followers) should listen silently.
- After completing the first Rak’ah (Unit), the Imam (Leader for Prayer) stands up for the second Rak’ah (Unit) and calls out five Takabir (Allahu Akbar).( Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) Rafa’ Yadayn (Raising both hands up to shoulder level) is done for each Takbir (Allahu Akbar). Fold hands over chest after each Takbir (Allahu Akbar) or leave them on the sides.
- The Imam (Leader for Prayer) recites Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening Chapter) and another short Surah (Chapter).
- Imam (Leader for Prayer) finishes Salah (Prayer) after completing the second Rak’ah (Unit).
A Khutbah (Sermon) is delivered after ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals).( Bukhari, Muslim)
Khutbah (Sermon) is a part of ‘Idayn Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals) and everyone must listen to it silently, gracefully and patiently.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم had emphasized upon bringing women to the Musalla (Place of ‘Id Prayer).
Narrated Muhammad: Umm 'Atiyya رضي الله عنه said: "Our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered us to come out (on 'Id day) with the mature girls and the virgins staying in seclusion." Hafsah رضي الله عنه narrated the above mentioned Hadith and added, "The mature girls or virgins staying in seclusion but the menstruating women had to keep away from the Musalla."
Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book 15, 91; Muslim
Narrated Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه : I (in my boyhood) went out with the Prophet on the day of 'Id ul Fitr or ’Id-ul-Adha. The Prophet prayed and then delivered the Khutbah and then went towards the women, preached and advised them and ordered them to give alms.
Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book 15, 92
Narrated Um 'Atiya رضي الله عنه : We were ordered to bring out our menstruating women and veiled women in the religious gatherings and invocation of Muslims on the two 'Id festivals. These menstruating women were to keep away from their Musalla. A woman asked, "O Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم ' What about one who does not have a veil?" He said, "Let her share the veil of her companion."
Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 8, 347 |
No other Salah (Prayer) should be offered in Musalla (Place for ‘Id Prayer) before and after the ‘Idayn
Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals).
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله عنه : The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went out and offered a two Rak’ah prayer on the Day of 'Id ul Fitr and did not offer any other prayer before or after it and at that time Bilal رضي الله عنه was accompanying him.
Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book 15, 104; Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah |
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