Introduction

Eid-ul-Adha is the special reward from Allah(swt) for momineen upon completion of the fasting during Ramzan. It falls on the 1st of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It is known as Eid-al-Fitr because of the obligation for momimeen to pay the Zakat-al-Fitr also known as Fitra.

Prayer of Eid-ul-Adha

During the period of occultation of the Imam-e-Zamana(a.s.), the prayer of Eid-ul-Adha is performed with the intention (niyyat) of Sunnat. The time of Eid-ul-Adha is from the sun rise to the time when the sun starts descending. Prayer of Eid-ul-Adha can be performed in Jama'at or alone.

It is a recommend Sunnat to perform Ghusl (Purification Bath) on Eid day. The Ghusl which should preferably performed under a shelter and not under the open sky. Before offering Eid prayers it is recommended to have a breakfast of dates. The specified time of Eid prayer is between sunrise and the sun's initial decline (Zawal). After that time, the prayer is lost and cannot be offered later as 'Qaza'. Women are exempted from this prayer.

It is 'Mustahab' (recommended) to offer Eid prayers with two Kutbas.

Recitation of Takbir before Namaz-e-Eid is highly recommended, which is as follows : "Allaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaah wallaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Wa lillaahil hamd. Alhamdulillah alaa maa hadaanaa walahu Shukr alaa maa aulana."

The meaning of this Takbeer is as follows : Allah is Great, Allah is Great there is no one worthy of prayer but Allah, and Allah is Great; Allah is Great, all praise be to Allah, it is He Who guides."

Method of the Prayer

This is a 2 Rakaat namaz and its intention (niyyat) is by saying : "I intend to perform 2 Rakaat namaz Eid-ul-Fitr Sunnat Qurbatan il-Allah".

In the first Rakaat recite the Takbeeratul Ahraam (Allah ho-Akbar). After Sura Fatiha recite the following Sura :

Click here to Listen to the Recitation

After this Sura, the following special Dua-e-Qunoot is recited :

ALLA HUMMA AHLAL KIBRIYAAI WAL AZAMATI
WA AHLAL JOODI WAL JABAROOT 
WA AHLAL AFWI WAR RAHMATI 
WA AHLAT TAQWAA WAL MAGHFIRAH
AS-ALUKA BIHAQQI HAAZAL YAWMIL LAZI 
JA-ALTAHU LIL MUSLIMEENA EIDAN 
WA LI MUHAMMADIN SALLALLAAHU ALAYHI WA AALIHEE
ZUKHRAN WA SHARAFAN WA KARAMATAN WA MAZEEDAA 
AN TU SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA AALI MUHAMMAD
WA AN TUDKHILANI FEE KULLI KHAYRIN 
ADKHALTA FEEHI MUHAMMADAN WA AALI MUHAMMAD 
WA AN TUKHRIJANI MIN KULLI SOOO-IN  
AKHRAJTA MINHU MUHAMMADAN WA AALI MUHAMMAD
SALAWAATUKA ALAYHI WA ALAYHIM 
ALLAAHUMMA INNEE AS-ALUKA KHAYRA MAA SA-ALUKA
BIHI IBAADUKAS SAALIHOON
WA A-OOZUBEKA MIMMAS TA-AAZA MINHU IBAADUKAL MUKHLISOON

After this recite the Takbeer again (Allah ho-Akbar) and again raise the hands for the same Dua-e-Qunoot.. In the same manner, recite the Takbeer and the Dua-e-Qunoot 5 times in total. Follow this up with one Rukoo and two Sajdas and the rise up for the second Rakaat.

In the second Rakaat, after Sura Fatiha, recite the following Sura Shams:

Click here to Listen to the Recitation

This will be followed by the same Takbeer and Dua-e-Qunoot stated above. This Takbeer and Dua-e-Qunoot will be recited 4 times in total in the second Rakat. Finally complete the Prayer by offering one Rukoo and two Sajdas and Tashud and Salam.