Two Feasts (‘Eeds) Prayer
Two Feasts (‘Eeds) Prayer:
They are ‘Eed Al-Fitr (the Fast-breaking Feast) and the ‘Eed Al-ADha (the Feast of Sacrifice). Performing them is a Fard Kifaayah (communal obligation) upon every legally competent, male Muslim who has no legal excuse.
The due time of the ‘Eed Prayer is when the sun rises to the length of a spear above the horizon, by one’s sight, and extends until the meridian. However, when Muslim do not know about the time of the ‘Eed until after the sun has passed the meridian; they are to make up for it the next morning.
Furthermore, it is recommended for one to eat some dates before going out to perform the prayer of Fast-breaking and not to eat on the Day of Sacrifice until one performs the prayer.
It also recommended for Muslim to attend the Feast Prayer after taking ritual bath, looking nice and wearing one’s best clothes. He also should go early to Prayer.
It is recommended for women to go out to the ‘Eed Prayer, but not with wearing perfume or wearing obscene clothes.
Its description:
It is to be performed in two Rak‘ahs. Neither Athaan (prayer call) nor Iqaamah (immediate prayer call) is ordained for the ‘Eed Prayer. Then one is to start with announcing the opening Takbeer in the first Rak‘ah, then recite the opening invocation. Then one is to recite six or five Takbeers before seeking refuge with Allaah The Almighty from Satan and reciting Basmalah. Then one is to recite Quran loudly. In the first Rak‘ah, he should recite Al-Faatihah and Soorat Al-A‘la. In the second one, after reciting six or five Takbeers other than that uttered when moving from the prostration position to standing position Takbeer, one should recite Soorah Al-Ghaashiyah. Whoever recites something other than that, then there is no blame on him. After Tasleem, the Imam should address the people.
It is permissible for the one who missed something of the ‘Eed prayer to make up for it on its description mentioned above along with the additional Takbeers.
It is recommended to recite the following Takbeer in the Two ‘Eeds: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah is the praise). It should be said loudly, but not for women i.e. they should lower their voices saying it.
The time for Takbeer on ‘Eed Al-Fitr starts from the night before ‘Eed until the Imam enters to lead the ‘Eed prayer.
In the case of ‘Eed Al-Adha, the Takbeer begins from the dawn of the first day of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the thirteenth day of the last of the days of Tashreeq[1].
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[1]The Days of Tashreeq: The Eleventh, the twelfth, and the thirteenth of Thul-Hijjah, i.e. the three days following the Day of Sacrifice. (Translator)
