How to Pray Eid Prayer: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

How Many Rakats Is Eid Prayer?

Eid prayer consists of 2 rakats with extra takbirat (declarations of “Allahu Akbar”) that distinguish it from regular prayers. The number of extra takbirat differs by madhab: the Hanafi school adds 3 extra in each rakat, while the Shafi’i school adds 7 in the first and 5 in the second. The prayer is followed by a khutbah (sermon).

Eid al-Fitr 2026 falls on March 20-21 (after Ramadan ends), and Eid al-Adha on May 27-28.

How Do I Pray Eid Salah Step by Step?

Hanafi Method

1. Make intention — “I intend to pray 2 rakats of Eid salah with 6 extra takbirat”
2. First rakat: Say opening takbir (Allahu Akbar), then 3 extra takbirat raising hands each time, then recite Al-Fatiha + a surah, then complete the rakat normally (ruku, sujud)
3. Second rakat: Stand, recite Al-Fatiha + a surah, then say 3 extra takbirat, then go into ruku and complete normally
4. Tasleem — End with salaam to the right and left

Shafi’i Method

1. Make intention — “I intend to pray 2 rakats of Eid salah”
2. First rakat: Opening takbir, then 7 extra takbirat raising hands each time, then Al-Fatiha + surah, complete rakat normally
3. Second rakat: Stand with takbir, then 5 extra takbirat, then Al-Fatiha + surah, complete normally
4. Tasleem — End with salaam

After the prayer, the imam delivers a khutbah (sermon) — unlike Jumu’ah (Friday prayer) where the khutbah comes before the prayer.

What Should I Do Before Eid Prayer?

On the morning of Eid:

• Perform ghusl — Take a full ritual bath (follow the ghusl checklist)
• Wear your best clothes — The Prophet (peace be upon him) would wear his finest garment
• Eat before leaving (Eid al-Fitr only) — Eat an odd number of dates before the prayer; for Eid al-Adha, eat after the sacrifice
• Pay Zakat al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) — Must be paid before the Eid prayer
• Recite takbirat — Say “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd” on the way to the prayer
• Take a different route home — The Sunnah is to return from a different path than you came

Can I Pray Eid Prayer at Home?

The Sunnah is to pray Eid in congregation, preferably in an open outdoor space (musalla). Most scholars strongly encourage attending the communal prayer. Women, children, and the elderly are all encouraged to attend — even women who are menstruating should go to witness the gathering, though they don’t pray.

If you genuinely cannot attend (illness, no nearby prayer), some scholars allow praying 2 rakats at home with the extra takbirat. This is the position of some Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars.

Find a nearby Eid prayer location with our mosque finder.

Related Guides

• Eid Dates 2026 — When is Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
• Zakat al-Fitr Guide — Pay before the Eid prayer
• Eid Greeting Card Generator — Create and share Eid cards
• How to Pray Salah — General prayer guide for beginners

Last updated: February 10, 2026