The rakats and takbirs of the Eid prayer
The Eid prayer is two rakats with three extra, wajib takbirs in each, six in total, plus a wajib takbir for ruku in the second rakat.
The Eid prayer has two rakats, like Fajr. But it has six extra takbirs (saying 'Allahu Akbar') that are not in the normal prayer.
Six extra takbirs
- Three extra takbirs are said standing in the first rakat, before starting to recite.
- Three more extra takbirs are said standing in the second rakat, after the recitation, before going into ruku.
Each of these six takbirs is wajib on its own; you must say every one of them.
Each Eid prayer consists of two rakats. Beyond the takbirs said in an ordinary prayer, the Eid prayer has three additional takbirs in each rakat, six additional takbirs in total.
Each of the six additional takbirs is wajib in its own right.
The takbir said on going into ruku in the second rakat is also wajib, unlike in the ordinary prayers, where the takbir for ruku is only sunnah.
| Rakat | When | How many |
|---|---|---|
| First | Standing, after the opening takbir and thana, before the recitation | 3, plus the opening takbir |
| Second | Standing, after the recitation, before going into ruku | 3, plus the (wajib) takbir for ruku |
Each ʿīd ṣalāh comprises two rakats. Over and above the takbirs of an ordinary ṣalāh, three zāʾid (additional) takbirs fall in each rakat, six in total; each is wājib as a discrete act, so that a single omitted takbir is a distinct wājib left out, not merely part of a general deficiency.
Each of the six zāʾid takbirs is wājib separately; the wājib attaches to each takbir on its own, not to the set of three as a single unit.
The takbīr for rukūʿ in the second rakat is also wājib in the ʿīd ṣalāh, contrary to the ordinary farḍ prayers, where that takbir carries only the rank of sunnah.
| Rakat | Position | Count | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standing, after takbīrat al-iḥrām and thanāʾ, before the qirāʾah | 3 | Wājib, each separately |
| 2 | Standing, after the qirāʾah, before rukūʿ | 3 + the takbīr for rukūʿ | Wājib, each separately |
Terms on this page
Related
- How to pray the Eid prayer, step by step The full method of the Eid prayer in order, from the intention and the extra takbirs to the two sermons that follow it.
- Mistakes, forgetfulness and joining late in the Eid prayer What to do if a takbir is said wrongly, forgotten or added to, and how to join the Eid prayer after the imam has already started.
- The conditions for the Eid prayers The Eid prayer shares its conditions with Jumu'ah, but differs on the sermon, the adhan and iqamah, and where it may be held.
- The obligatory acts of prayer (wajibat) The twelve wajib acts of prayer: Fatiha, the surah, order, tumaninah, the sittings, tashahhud, recitation volume, salam, qunoot and the Eid takbirs.