Method of offering Eid Salah (Hanafi)
First make the following intention: ‘I intend to offer two Rak’āt Ṣalāĥ of Eid-ul-Fiṭr (or Eid-ul-Aḍḥā) with six additional Takbīrāt, for the sake of Allah Almighty following this Imām.’
Having made the intention, raise the hands up to the ears, utter اللہ اکبر and then fold the hands below the navel and recite the Šanā. Then raise your hands to your ears, utter اللہ اکبر and leave them at the sides; then raise the hands to the ears again, utter اللہ اکبر and leave them at the sides; then raise the hands to the ears once again, utter اللہ اکبر and fold them. In short, the hands will be folded after the first and fourth Takbīr, whereas
they will be left at the sides after the second and third Takbīr. In other words, the hands will be folded when something is to be recited in Qiyām after Takbīr,while they will be left at the sides when nothing is to be recited. Then, the Imām will recite Ta’awwuż and Tasmiyaĥ in a low voice, and Sūraĥ Al-Fātiḥaĥ and another Sūraĥ aloud. Thereafter, he will perform Rukū’. In the second Rak’at, the Imām will first recite Sūraĥ Al-Fātiḥaĥ and another Sūraĥ aloud. (Derived from Durr-e-Mukhtār, Rad-dulMuḥtār, vol. 3, pp. 66)
After the recitation, utter three Takbīrāt raising the hands to the ears each time and leaving them at the sides. Then, perform Rukū’ by uttering the fourth Takbīr without raising the hands, and complete the rest of the Ṣalāĥ as per the usual method. To stand silent between every two Takbīrāt for as long as سبحان اللہ can be uttered thrice is necessary.’ (Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 781; Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 60)
For whom Eid Ṣalāĥ is Wājib?
The Ṣalāĥ of both Eids (i.e. Eid-ul-Fiṭr and Eid-ul-Aḍḥā) is Wājib, but only for those people whom Ṣalāt-ul-Jumu’aĥ is Wājib for. Furthermore, neither Ażān nor Iqāmat is uttered for the Ṣalāĥ of both Eids.
(Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 779; Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 51)
Sermon of Eid is Sunnaĥ
The preconditions for Ṣalāt-ul-Jumu’aĥ also apply to the Eid Ṣalāĥ. The only difference lies in sermon which is a precondition for Ṣalāt-ul-Jumu’aĥ whereas it is a Sunnaĥ for Eid Ṣalāĥ. Similarly, the sermon of Ṣalāt-ul-Jumu’aĥ is delivered before the Ṣalāĥ while that of the Eid Ṣalāĥ is delivered after the Ṣalāĥ.
(Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 779; ‘Ālamgīrī, vol. 1, pp. 150)
The time of Eid Ṣalāĥ
The time of the Ṣalāĥ of both Eids starts 20 minutes after sunrise and continues till Niṣf-un-Naĥār-e-Shar’ī. However, it is Mustaḥab to delay Eid-ul-Fiṭr Ṣalāĥ and offer Eid-ul-Aḍḥā Ṣalāĥ early. (Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 781; Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 60)
What to do if somebody misses a part of Eid Jamā’at?
If someone joins the Jamā’at in the first Rak’at after the Imām has uttered the Takbīrāt, he should utter the three Takbīrāt (other than the Takbīr-e-Taḥrīmaĥ) instantly even if the Imām has commenced recitation. Utter only three Takbīrāt even though the Imām uttered more than three Takbīrāt. If the Imām bent for Rukū’ before you uttered Takbīrāt, then don’t utter them in a standing posture. Instead, perform Rukū’ with the Imām and utter the Takbīrāt in the Rukū’. However, if the Imām is in Rukū’ and there is a strong likelihood that you can utter the Takbīrāt and join the Imām in Rukū’, then utter them whilst you are standing and perform Rukū’. Otherwise, bend for Rukū’ uttering اللہ اکبر and then utter the Takbīrāt in Rukū’. If the Imām raises his head from Rukū’ before you
finish the Takbīrāt in Rukū’ then do not utter the remaining Takbīrāt; they are no longer required. If you joined the Jamā’at after the Imām had performed the Rukū’ then do not utter the Takbīrāt, utter them when you offer the remaining part of your Ṣalāĥ (after the Imām performs Salām). Do not raise your hands when uttering the missed
Takbīrāt in Rukū.’ If you join the Jamā’at in the second Rak’at, then don’t utter the missed Takbīrāt of the first Rak’at now; instead, utter them when performing the remaining part of your Ṣalāĥ. Likewise, if you succeed in uttering the Takbīrāt of the second Rak’at with he Imām, it’s all right, otherwise, the same ruling as mentioned
above with regard to the first Rak’at would apply. (Baĥār-e-Sharī’at,vol. 1, pp. 782; Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 64; Ālamgīrī vol. 1, pp. 151)
What to do if someone misses whole Jamā’at?
If someone missed the whole Jamā’at of Eid-Ṣalāĥ, whether he couldn’t join the Jamā’at at all or his Ṣalāĥ became invalid due to any reason after joining, then if possible, he should join Jamā’at elsewhere. Otherwise, he cannot offer it individually (without Jamā’at). However, it is preferable for him to offer four Rak’āt Chāsht Ṣalāĥ. (Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 67)
Twenty Sunan and desirable acts of Eid
- To get hair cut (get your hair cut according to Sunnaĥ, not
according to the English styles). - To cut nails.
- To take a bath.
- To use a Miswāk (this is in addition to using it during
Wuḍū). - To wear nice clothes, either new, if available, or washed ones.
- To apply perfume.
- To wear a ring (Islamic brothers are allowed to wear only
one silver ring which weighs less than 4.5 Masha (i.e.
4.365 grams). There must be only one gem in the ring; they
shouldn’t wear the ring without a gem either. There is no
limit for the weight of the gem. They are not allowed to
wear more than one ring. Except for a silver ring with the afore-mentioned conditions, a man cannot wear any other metal-made ring including even a gemless silver ring.) - To offer Ṣalāt-ul-Fajr in the Masjid of one’s locality.
- To eat some dates in odd numbers such as 3, 5, 7 etc.
before going to offer Eid-ul-Fiṭr Ṣalāĥ. If dates are not
available, then eat something sweet. Even if someone does
not eat anything before the Ṣalāĥ, he will not be a sinner,
but if he does not eat anything till Ṣalāt-ul-‘Ishā, he will be
rebuked. - To offer the Eid Ṣalāĥ at a place that is designated for
offering the Eid Ṣalāĥ. - To go to the designated place for Eid Ṣalāĥ on foot.
- Although there is no harm in using a conveyance, going
on foot is better for those who can do so. There is no
harm at all in returning by the conveyance. - To go to the designated place for Eid Ṣalāĥ from one path
and to return from the other path. - To pay Ṣadaqaĥ-e-Fiṭr before the Eid Ṣalāĥ (this is better,
but if you couldn’t pay it before the Eid Ṣalāĥ, pay it after
the Ṣalāĥ). - To express happiness.
- To donate Ṣadaqaĥ in abundance.
- To head towards the designated place for Eid Ṣalāĥ calmly,
in a dignified manner, with a lowered gaze. - To congratulate each other.
- To embrace and to shake hands with one another after the
Eid Ṣalāĥ as Muslims usually do. It is a good act because it
expresses happiness. (Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, part 4, pp. 71) However,
embracing a young attractive boy may lead to allegation. - To utter the following Takbīr in a low voice while on your
way to the designated place to offer Eid-ul-Fiṭr Ṣalāĥ, and
to utter it loudly while heading for the designated place to
offer Eid-ul-Aḍḥā Ṣalāĥ.
