Learning how to perform Eid al Adha Salat is a beautiful way to connect with one of Islam’s greatest celebrations. In this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll discover the authentic Sunnah method to perform the prayer just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught. Let’s begin this spiritual journey together.
Definition of Eid al-Adha Salat
The Definition of Eid al-Adha Salat refers to the special prayer that Muslims perform on the day of Eid al-Adha. It consists of two rak’ahs (units of prayer) and is different from the five daily prayers because it includes extra takbirs (saying “Allahu Akbar”). It is one of the important rituals in Islam, given specially to Muslims by Allah, and it comes after the great worship of Hajj.
Importance of Eid al-Adha Salat
Allah did not assign a specific reward only for Eid al-Adha Salat but made its reward part of the general reward for good deeds. The Importance of Eid al-Adha Salat is as follows:
- It brings a lot of blessings and goodness.
- It is considered one of the best voluntary prayers.
- It spreads love and unity among Muslims.
- It takes place on one of the greatest days in the sight of Allah, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى الرَّازِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى، – وَهَذَا لَفْظُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ – عَنْ ثَوْرٍ، عَنْ رَاشِدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَامِرِ بْنِ لُحَىٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ قُرْطٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ الأَيَّامِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ ثُمَّ يَوْمُ الْقَرِّ ” . قَالَ عِيسَى قَالَ ثَوْرٌ وَهُوَ الْيَوْمُ الثَّانِي . قَالَ وَقُرِّبَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَدَنَاتٌ خَمْسٌ أَوْ سِتٌّ فَطَفِقْنَ يَزْدَلِفْنَ إِلَيْهِ بِأَيَّتِهِنَّ يَبْدَأُ فَلَمَّا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا – قَالَ فَتَكَلَّمَ بِكَلِمَةٍ خَفِيَّةٍ لَمْ أَفْهَمْهَا فَقُلْتُ مَا قَالَ – قَالَ ” مَنْ شَاءَ اقْتَطَعَ ” .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Qurt:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The greatest day in Allah’s sight is the day of sacrifice and next the day of resting which Isa said on the authority of Thawr is the second day. Five or six sacrificial camels were brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and they began to draw near to see which he would sacrifice first. When they fell down dead, he said something in a low voice, which I could not catch. So I asked: What did he say? He was told that he had said: Anyone who wants can cut off a piece.
Ruling on Eid al-Adha Salat
Before learning how to perform eid al adha salat? It is important to understand its ruling in Islamic law. Scholars have three opinions:
| School | Ruling | Evidence |
| Hanafi | It is obligatory (wajib), and the sermon is sunnah | The Prophet (peace be upon him) never missed it during his life. |
| Hanbali | It is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) | If enough Muslims perform it, the rest are excused. |
| Shafi’i and Maliki | It is a confirmed sunnah | Based on the hadith of Talha bin ‘Ubaidullah. |
Evidence for it being a confirmed sunnah:
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ أَبِي سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ طَلْحَةَ بْنَ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا هُوَ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الإِسْلاَمِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي الْيَوْمِ وَاللَّيْلَةِ ”. فَقَالَ هَلْ عَلَىَّ غَيْرُهَا قَالَ ” لاَ، إِلاَّ أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ ”. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” وَصِيَامُ رَمَضَانَ ”. قَالَ هَلْ عَلَىَّ غَيْرُهُ قَالَ ” لاَ، إِلاَّ أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ ”. قَالَ وَذَكَرَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الزَّكَاةَ. قَالَ هَلْ عَلَىَّ غَيْرُهَا قَالَ ” لاَ، إِلاَّ أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ ”. فَأَدْبَرَ الرَّجُلُ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَزِيدُ عَلَى هَذَا وَلاَ أَنْقُصُ. قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” أَفْلَحَ إِنْ صَدَقَ ”.
Narrated Talha bin ‘Ubaidullah: A man came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asking him about Islam, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “You have to offer five compulsory prayers in a day and a night (24 hours).” The man asked, “Is there any more compulsory prayers for me?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “No, unless you like to offer Nawafil (i.e. optional prayers).” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) then added, “You have to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.”
The man said, “Am I to fast any other days?’ Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “No, unless you wish to observe the optional fast voluntarily.” Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) told him about the compulsory Zakat. The man asked, “Do I have to give anything besides?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “No, unless you wish to give in charity voluntarily.” So, the man departed saying, “By Allah I will neither do more nor less than that.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If he has said the truth he will be successful.”
Timing of Eid al-Adha Salat
The Timing of Eid al-Adha Salat is a key aspect of how to perform eid al adha salat properly. According to Islamic law.
Eid al-Adha Salat is performed on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah after the sun rises. It must be prayed in the congregation and not individually.
When to Perform the Prayer?
Many people wonder when to Perform the Prayer? The answer is that the time for prayer starts about 15 minutes after sunrise (when the sun has risen to the height of a spear) and continues until shortly before the Dhuhr prayer. This is also the time for Duha prayer.
Preparation for Eid al-Adha Salat
Preparation for Eid al-Adha Salat is an essential step in understanding how to perform eid al adha salat properly. Before engaging in prayer, a Muslim should prepare both physically and spiritually. Islam recommends following specific sunnahs for Eid prayers, such as:
- Taking a bath, applying perfume, and wearing the best available clothes before heading to the prayer.
- Not eating anything before the Eid al-Adha prayer, based on the hadith:
وَعَن بُرَيْدَة قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتَّى يَطْعَمَ وَلَا يَطْعَمُ يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْن مَاجَه والدارمي
Buraida said that the Prophet did not go out on the day of the breaking of the fast till he had some food, but that he did not take any food on the day of sacrifice till he had prayed.
Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.
- If offering a sacrifice, it is preferred to eat from the sacrifice after the prayer.
- Reciting the Takbir when going to the prayer and after prayers until the afternoon of the last day of Tashreeq.
- Walking to the prayer ground, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did:
حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ سَعْدِ بْنِ عَمَّارِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يَخْرُجُ إِلَى الْعِيدِ مَاشِيًا وَيَرْجِعُ مَاشِيًا .
‘Abdur-Rahman bin Sa’d bin ‘Ammar bin Sa’d said: “My father told me, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go out to the ‘Eid prayers walking, and he would come back walking.”
- Going to the prayer ground using one route and returning by another:
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ عِيدٍ خَالَفَ الطَّرِيق. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ
“Jabir said that on a festival day the Prophet would return by a different road from the one he had taken when going out.
Bukhari transmitted it.
How to Perform Eid al-Adha Salat?
Muslims often ask How to Perform Eid al-Adha Salat? Here’s how following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him):
-
First Rak’ah:
- Start with the opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram).
- Say the opening supplication.
- Say seven additional Takbirs (besides Takbirat al-Ihram), raising your hands each time.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah, then Surah Al-A’la or Surah Qaf.
-
Second Rak’ah:
- After standing up, say five additional Takbirs, not including the Takbir for rising from sujood.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah, then Surah Al-Ghāshiyah or Surah Al-Qamar.
This is based on the hadith:
وَعَنْ كَثِيرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَبَّرَ فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ فِي الْأُولَى سَبْعًا قَبْلَ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ خَمْسًا قَبْلَ الْقِرَاءَةِ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَابْن مَاجَه والدارمي
Kathir b. ‘Abdallah on his father’s authority quoted his grandfather as saying that at the two festivals the Prophet said “God is most great” seven times in the first rak’a before reciting from the Qur’an, and five times in the last one before reciting.
Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.
-
Completing the Prayer:
Finish the second rak’ah as in normal prayer and end with Tasleem (saying “Assalamu Alaikum”).
-
The Sermon after the Prayer:
The imam delivers two short sermons after the prayer, reminding and teaching the people. Attending and listening to the sermon is a sunnah by agreement among scholars.
Note:
- The Eid prayer must be performed in congregation in a prayer ground or mosque.
-
There is no adhan (call to prayer) or iqamah (second call) for Eid prayer, as narrated:
عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ عَنِ ابْن عَبَّاس وَجَابِر ابْن عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَا: لَمْ يَكُنْ يُؤَذَّنُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَلَا يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُ يَعْنِي عَطَاءً بَعْدَ حِينٍ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَنْ لَا أَذَانَ لِلصَّلَاةِ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حِينَ يَخْرُجُ الْإِمَامُ وَلَا بعد مَا يَخْرُجُ وَلَا إِقَامَةَ وَلَا نِدَاءَ وَلَا شَيْءَ لَا نِدَاءَ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلَا إِقَامَةَ. رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ
Ibn Juraij said: ‘Ata’ informed me on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas and Jabir b. ‘Abdallah that the adhan was not called on the day of the breaking of the fast or on the day of sacrifice. I later asked him, i.e., ‘Ata’, about that, and he told me that Jabir b. ‘Abdallah told him there was no adhan for the prayer on the day of the breaking of the fast when the imam came out or after he came out, no iqama and no summons; there was nothing, no summons or iqama that day.
Muslim transmitted it.
Conclusion
We have learned step-by-step how to perform eid al adha salat.
Be sure to perform it sincerely to attain the blessings of this great day. If you want to deepen your understanding of your religion and language, don’t miss the opportunity to join Rahiq Academy.
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