Celebrate Eid
A guide to the two days of celebration in Islam — Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — with sunnahs, prayer, and etiquette.
Takbir of Eid
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illa-llāh, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi-l-ḥamd.
1 Shawwal — the festival of breaking the fast
Eid al-Fitr
Celebrate the completion of Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr is given before the Eid prayer so the poor can also take part in the joy of the day.
10 Dhul-Hijjah — the festival of sacrifice
Eid al-Adha
Commemorate the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the ransom of Ismail (AS). Sacrifice (qurbani) is performed after the Eid prayer until sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Sunnahs of Eid day
Perform ghusl
Take a full ritual bath in the morning, dress in your best clean clothes, and apply perfume if available.
Eat before leaving
For Eid al-Fitr, eat an odd number of dates. For Eid al-Adha, wait and eat from the sacrifice after the prayer.
Recite the takbir
On the way to the prayer, glorify Allah. The takbir is especially emphasized from Fajr on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah until Asr on the 13th for Eid al-Adha.
Give charity
Pay Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. On Eid al-Adha, share the sacrifice meat with family, neighbours, and those in need.
Go to the prayer
Walk to an open prayer ground (musalla) if possible. Bring your prayer mat and listen attentively to the khutbah.
Take a different route home
The Prophet ﷺ would return from the Eid prayer by a different path, spreading the greeting and remembrance through more streets.
How to pray · The Eid prayer
Make the intention (niyyah)
Intend to pray two rakʿah of Eid prayer in congregation, following the imam.
First rakʿah: seven takbīrāt
After the opening takbir, the imam raises his hands and says 'Allāhu akbar' six more times before reciting the Fatiha. Follow the imam's movements.
Second rakʿah: five takbīrāt
After standing for the second rakʿah, say five takbīrāt before reciting the Fatiha. Then complete the rakʿah as usual with rukūʿ and sujūd.
Taslim and khutbah
The imam concludes with salām. Remain seated for the khutbah. It is recommended to listen quietly, as it is a pillar of the Eid prayer for the imam to deliver it.
Greetings
تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم
Taqabbal-Allāhu minnā wa minkum
"May Allah accept from us and from you."
عِيدٌ مُبارَك
ʿĪd mubārak
"Blessed Eid."
كُلَّ عَامٍ وَأَنتُم بِخَيْرٍ
Kullu ʿāmin wa antum bi-khayr
"May you be well every year."
Guidance is based on mainstream Sunni fiqh. Consult a qualified scholar for madhhab-specific rulings.