The Community Celebration of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Takbirat, Prayer Method, and Sunnahs

1. The Two Divine Celebrations in Islam

When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina, he found that the inhabitants observed two pre-Islamic seasonal festivals of carnival and revelry. He instructed them:

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمْ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا: يَوْمَ الأَضْحَى، وَيَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ»

"Indeed, Allah has substituted for you two days that are far better than them: the Day of Al-Adha (Sacrifice) and the Day of Al-Fitr (Fast-breaking)."

— Sunan Abi Dawud (1134) & Sunan an-Nasa'i (1556), Sahih

Unlike pagan holidays rooted in hedonism, the Islamic Eids are sacred expressions of gratitude (Shukr) marking the completion of major pillars of worship: Eid al-Fitr crowns the blessed month of Ramadan fasting, while Eid al-Adha crowns the monumental rites of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates the supreme sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

2. Sunnah Etiquettes on the Morning of Eid

The Prophet ﷺ exemplified distinct sunnahs to fill the morning with joyous spiritual energy:

Ghusl & Best Garments

It is Sunnah to perform ritual purification (Ghusl) before heading out, wear one's finest and cleanest clothing, and apply non-alcoholic perfume ('Itr) for men.

Eating Before vs. After

On Eid al-Fitr: Eat an odd number of dates (3, 5, or 7) before leaving for prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 953).
On Eid al-Adha: Delay eating until after returning and partake first from the sacrificial meat (Udhiyah/Qurbani).

Fulfilling Zakat al-Fitr

On Eid al-Fitr, Zakat al-Fitr must be disbursed to poor families before the Eid prayer starts. Ibn Abbas (RA) noted: "Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakah" (Abu Dawud 1609).

Walking & Differing Routes

Walk to the prayer ground (Musalla) if capable. Jabir (RA) narrated: "On the day of Eid, the Prophet ﷺ used to take different paths going and returning" (Sahih al-Bukhari 986) to spread peace and have the lands testify on Judgment Day.

3. The Formulae and Timings of the Eid Takbirat

Proclaiming the greatness of Allah is the hallmark of Eid. Believers should chant the Takbirat aloud on their way to the prayer grounds, in markets, and at home:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd"

"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; there is none worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise."

— Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, authentic from Ibn Mas'ud (RA)

An extended, widely practiced formulation from the early generations incorporates:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، صَدَقَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَأَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَا نَعْبُدُ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

"Allah is supremely Great, abundantly praised, and glorified morning and evening. There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His servant, strengthened His soldiers, and routed the confederates alone..."

Jurisprudential Timing of Takbirat

Eid al-Fitr: Takbirat commence from the sighting of the new Shawwal crescent (sunset of the last day of Ramadan) and conclude when the Imam stands to lead the Eid prayer (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185).
Eid al-Adha: Takbirat encompass two legal categories:
1. Unrestricted (Mutlaq): Recited at all times starting from the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah through the final day of Tashriq (13th of Dhul-Hijjah).
2. Restricted (Muqayyad): Recited immediately following every obligatory congregational prayer starting from Fajr on the Day of Arafah (9th) until Asr on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah (a total of 23 prayers).

4. Step-by-Step Method of Salat al-Eid

Salat al-Eid consists of two rak'ahs. It is established by consensus that neither Adhan nor Iqamah is called (Sahih Muslim 885). Furthermore, there is no voluntary Sunnah prayer immediately before or after Salat al-Eid at the prayer ground.

First Rak'ah Extra Takbirat

• Shafi'i & Hanbali Method: Say Takbirat al-Ihram, recite opening Du'a al-Istiftah, then say 7 extra Takbirat before Surah Al-Fatihah, raising hands with each.
• Hanafi Method: Say Takbirat al-Ihram, recite Thana, then say 3 extra Takbirat before Surah Al-Fatihah, raising hands with each.

First Rak'ah Recitation

The Imam recites Surah Al-Fatihah audibly, followed by Surah Al-A'la (87) or Surah Qaf (50). The congregation bows (Ruku') and prostrates (Sujud) normally.

Second Rak'ah Extra Takbirat

• Shafi'i & Hanbali: Stand up saying Takbir, then say 5 extra Takbirat before Surah Al-Fatihah.
• Hanafi: Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and a Surah first; then say 3 extra Takbirat before bowing, followed by a 4th Takbir going into Ruku'.

Second Rak'ah Recitation

The Imam recites Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88) or Surah Al-Qamar (54). The prayer concludes with Tashahhud, Salawat, and Taslim.

5. The Eid Khutbah: Listening Etiquette

A vital legal distinction between Friday Jumu'ah and Eid is the placement of the sermon:

Sermon Delivered After the Prayer

Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: "I attended the Eid prayer with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, and all of them used to offer the prayer before delivering the sermon" (Sahih al-Bukhari 962 & Sahih Muslim 884).

Abdullah ibn as-Sa'ib (RA) narrated: "I attended Eid with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and when he finished the prayer he said: 'We are going to deliver the sermon. Whoever wishes to sit and listen, let him sit; and whoever wishes to leave, let him leave'" (Sunan Abi Dawud 1155). While remaining for the Khutbah is Sunnah rather than obligatory, listening attentively without chatter or packing up carpets honors the gathering.

6. Universal Community Inclusion and Noble Greetings

The Prophet ﷺ intended Eid to be an all-encompassing community festival uniting men, women, youth, and the elderly. Umm 'Atiyyah (RA) narrated:

«أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُخْرِجَ الْعَوَاتِقَ وَالْحُيَّضَ وَذَوَاتِ الْخُدُورِ، فَأَمَّا الْحُيَّضُ فَيَعْتَزِلْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيَشْهَدْنَ الْخَيْرَ وَدَعْوَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ»

"We were commanded to bring out the young unmarried women, those secluded behind veils, and menstruating women on Eid so they may witness the good and the supplication of the Muslims, though menstruating women remained slightly behind the prayer area."

— Sahih al-Bukhari (974) & Sahih Muslim (890)

When greeting fellow believers on Eid, the companions exchanged the noble prayer:

تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ

"Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum"

"May Allah accept (righteous deeds) from us and from you."

— Authenticated by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hajar

Through MasjidConnect, local mosque committees coordinate multi-shift Eid prayers, broadcast automated Takbirat audio on TV Kiosks, and publish parking and overflow guidance, ensuring an organized, joyous celebration for thousands of neighborhood worshippers.