The Sunnahs on the day of Eid include washing, wearing your best clothes, walking to the prayer, saying takbeer and returning by a different route. Eating differs between the two Eids: dates before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, and food after the Eid al-Adha prayer, including from your sacrifice if offered.
What should you do before the Eid prayer?
Prepare by washing, wearing your best clothes and following the eating practice for the Eid you are celebrating. The following practices also cover when and how to leave for the prayer place.
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Wash before leaving. Ibn Omar, may God be pleased with him, would wash before going to the prayer place. Applying perfume and using a toothstick are also included among the recommended preparations.
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Wear your best clothes. Ibn Omar, may God be pleased with him, used to wear the best clothes he had on Eid.
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Eat at the appropriate time for each Eid. The timing differs between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha:
Eid When to eat What the practice includes Eid al-Fitr Before leaving for the Eid prayer Eat an odd number of dates Eid al-Adha After the Eid prayer Eat from your sacrifice if you have offered one Buraydah Al-Aslami reported:
(The Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, did not go out on the day of Eid-al-Fitr until he had eaten, and on the day of Sacrifice he did not eat until he returned and ate from his forget-me-not).
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Go early if you are joining the congregation. Go to the prayer place early, after Fajr. The imam delays going out until the Eid prayer time begins, following the practice of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him.
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Walk calmly and with dignity. Walk to the prayer place and return home on foot. Ibn Omar reported:
(The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to go out to the feast walking and return walking).
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Say takbeer on the way to the prayer. Raise your voice with takbeer, saying Allahu Akbar on the way to the prayer place. The report attributed to Muhammad al-Zuhri states:
(The Messenger of God used to go out on the day of al-Fitr and say takbeer until he came to the prayer place, and until he finished the prayer, and when he finished the prayer, he would cut off the takbeer).
What should you do at the Eid prayer and afterwards?
Pray at the outdoor prayer place unless there is a need to pray in the mosque. The remaining practices concern the prayer, greeting people afterwards and taking a different route home.
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Pray at the outdoor prayer place. The Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to pray outside the mosque on both Eids. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri said:
(The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to go out on the day of Al-Fitr and Al-Adha to the chapel, and the first thing he would start with was the prayer).
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Observe the distinction between Eid prayer and other prayers. There is no Sunnah prayer before or after the Eid prayer when it is held outside the mosque. If it is held inside a mosque, it is permissible to offer the prayer for greeting the mosque. Abdullah bin Abbas reported:
(The Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, prayed two rak’ahs on the day of Al-Fitr, and he did not pray before or after it).
For an explanation of the prayer itself, see how to pray the Eid al-Fitr prayer, step by step.
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Allow time to greet people after the prayer. For the imam, remaining after the prayer allows time to greet people and ask how they are. This practice is described in the report:
(I saw the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, when he finished the two feasts, he came in the middle of the chapel, so he stood up, and looked at the people how they were leaving and how you named them, then he would stand for an hour and then leave).
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Return home by a different route. Take one route to the Eid prayer and another on the way home. Ibn Omar reported:
(The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to go out to the two feasts from one way and return from another way).
How can families learn these Eid practices together?
Use the preparations, journey and prayer as a simple sequence to discuss with children. For ideas for the rest of the day, explore these activities to celebrate Eid in a halal way.
For continued learning, Murouj Academy offers one-to-one Islamic studies for kids. Families can book a free trial class, where Murouj matches the child with a suitable teacher.
Frequently asked questions
Does eating before the prayer apply to both Eids?
No. On Eid al-Fitr, eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the prayer. On Eid al-Adha, eat afterwards, including from your sacrifice if you have offered one.
Can the Eid prayer take place inside a mosque?
The practice described here is to pray outside the mosque, with prayer inside the mosque when there is a need. When praying inside a mosque, it is permissible to offer the prayer for greeting the mosque.
Should the imam arrive early with the congregation?
The congregation goes to the prayer place early, after Fajr. The imam delays going out until the Eid prayer time begins.
