User:Tiyyah18/Eid prayers

Eid Prayers
Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid (صلاة العيد) are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate with family and the larger Muslim community to celebrate.

There are generally two central Eid's that take place in accordance with the Lunar calendar (hence the additional name Șālat al-’Īdayn (صلاة العيدين "Prayer of the Two Eids"):


 * Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر), also known as the "Smaller Eid" is a celebration marking the end Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, welcoming the new month of Shawwal and lasts for a period of three days. Mandatory charity, or Zakat, specifically Zakat al-Fitr (Zakat of Eid Al-Fitr) is offered to the poor by every financially-able Muslim (preferably prior to the offering of the prayer) to ensure that those who are less fortunate may also participate in the joyous holiday.*


 * Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى), the "Greater Eid" or "Eid of Sacrifice", is celebration on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (last month of the Islamic lunar calendar in which the Islamic pillar of Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is performed). This Eid follows what is considered to be the holiest day in Islam, Day of Arafah and serves as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's obedience and faith when tested by Allah. Able Muslims sacrifice an animal (Qurbani) whose provisions are to be distributed between friends, family, and the poor, equally as charity. Those who are unable to offer Qurbani but meet the requirements for it may offer a donation of Zakat in its place.* Its duration is 4 days.

* These obligations apply to every of-age muslim regardless of gender, so long as they meet the requirements of giving.

Eid Greetings
The customary greeting on the days of Eid Festivals is "Eid Mubarak", meaning "Have a Blessed Eid" and is often accompanied by other forms of cultural greetings and customs.

Location and Timing
Eid prayers are traditionally offered in an open space (such as a Musalla or Eidgah) or field available for prayer if weather permits. The technical appointed time of Salat Al-Eid, as specified by the Quran and Sunnah (sayings, teachings, and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), begins when the sun reaches approximately three meters above the horizon - above the height of a spear, until it reaches its meridian - approaching its zenith. Generally speaking, it is recommended that the prayer is offered in the morning, anytime after sunrise and before noon.

The time for Eid al-Fitr prayer may be delayed while the prayer of Eid al-Adha is hastened. This is to ensure enough time to facilitate the distribution of the Zakat before the prayer or offer sacrifice after, respectively. This has been a proved Sunnah and has been well recorded in Hadith books.

Specified times of the prayer vary according to local Masjids and larger communities may offer two prayers to allow as many people as possible the chance to make the prayer.

Degree of Importance
The degree of importance of the Eid prayer vary between different Madhhab, or schools of Islamic thought. According to Hanafi scholars, Salat al-Eid is Wajib (obligatory).To Hanbali jurisprudence, it is Fard (necessary; often synonymous with Wajib) and according to Maliki and Shafiʽi schools, it is considered to be Sunnah Al-Mu'akkadah ("confirmed Sunnah, "continuously performed and never abandoned") but not mandatory. There is also variance on its type of obligatory ruling, whether it is fard al-ayn (mandatory on the individual) or fard al-kifaya (mandatory on the community; fulfillment of action by a portion of the community is sufficient for fulfillment of duty on behalf of each individual member).

Procedure and Ritual
In addition to the actual praying of the Salah, another component of the Eid Prayers is the delivering of a Khutbah or Islamic sermon, like that given weekly on Fridays at Jumu'ah (obligatory Friday prayers). While the sermon is delivered prior to the Salah for Jumu'ah, it is delivered after the Salah for Eid. This is in accordance with the narration by Abdullah ibn Umar that the Prophet performed Eid Prayers in this order and the reason being that it was unlikely for the people to sit and listen attentively to the Khutbah following the prayer on the day of Eid with all the excitement and rejoicing.

The Eid prayers also take place without the customary calling of the Adhan or Iqama (arabic call to prayer), which is normally called before every Salah. This is per the traditional narration by Jabir sin Samurah, who had prayed Eid Salah behind the Prophet, and noted that the calls were not made.

Another specific characteristic of the Eid prayer is the number of Takbir, or calling of the phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great") performed in each Rakat (unit of prayer) of Salah. The Takbir for regular Salah (as well as most sunnah and special Salah) is called only once at the start with repetitions between steps of the prayer. According to Hadith narrated by 'Amr bin Shuaib over certified generations, the Prophet Muhammad completed 7 takbirs in the first rakah of the Eid prayer and 5 in the second, then began with the recitation of the Quran.

Additional Sunnah
To reap further rewards from praying the Eid, there are additional recommended steps that the Prophet did in his time according to his Sunnah that Muslims may perform. These include bathing or Ghusl prior to attending the festival, dressing in your best clothes, eating before the Eid al-Fitr prayer and waiting until after Eid al-Adha prayer to eat, saying the Takbir to and from the place of Eid and after every prayer for the remaining days of the festival, as well as taking an alternative route home from the one taken to the prayer.

Women and the Eid Salah
Eid festivals are meant to be an event for all members of the Muslim community, including women and children. According to the Hadith narrated by the Nusaybah Bint Al-Harith (Umm 'Atiyah), women, young and old, were called to come out and participate in the joy and reap its blessings.