The Way to Akhirah

Assalamualikum.

This is going to be a very short post, describing or touching through the method of praying the Eid Salah. Please find below the step by step guide in accordance to the sunnah of rasool (s.a.w) and his sahabaas (r.a.a). Also note that i am not including the details of the etiquette of Eid and other similar topics. this is only a document chalking out the method to pray the Eid ul Fitr.

WHEN SHOULD WE START GIVING THE TAKBEER AND WHEN SHOULD IT END?

On Eid ul-Fitr, Takbir starts from the moment of leaving the home to the open field. Az-Zuhri (RA) reported: “Allah’s Messenger (SAW) would heave his house on the day of Fitr, saying takbir until he reached the musalla (in this useage meaning outdoor praying area) to perform the prayer. Once he had performed the prayer, he would stop saying the takbir.

[Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannah and al-Mahamili (in Salat-ul-Eidayn) and verified by Albani in another narration to be authentic (as-Sahihab no. 171)]

Al-Albani said: “this hadeeth provides evidence for the Muslims’ common practice of sayng the takbir aloud en route to the musalla (or outside prayer place) even though many people have now neglected this sunnah, until it is almost totally forgotten.

[As-Sahihah, vol. 1a, p 331.]

When Ibn ‘Umar went out (of his house) on the morning of the day of Fitr and the day of Adha, he would say the takbir aloud until he reached the musalla (or outdoor praying place), then he would say it until the imam arrived (for the prayer)

[Recorded by ad-Daraqu tani, Ibn Abu Shaybah and others (Irwa’ ul-Ghalil no. 650)]

Conclusion : Therefore the general rule for the two Eids is as reported by az-Zuhri (RA): “The people said the takbir on Eid from the time they left their homes until they reached the musalla (or outside praying place), and (said it at the musalla) until the imam arrived. When the imam arrived, they became silent; but if he said the takbir, they would also say it.”

However Imam Al Sha'afi recommends saying the takbeer from the night we have sighted the moon to end the fasting of Ramadan :

Al-Shaafa’i said in al-Umm: I heard from some scholars whom I trust and who are knowledgeable about the Qur’aan:

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you” [Al Baqarah 2:185]

it is completed when the sun sets on the last day of the month of Ramadaan.

Then al-Shaafa’i said:

When they see the new moon of Shawwaal, I like all the people to recite takbeer together and individually in the mosques, the marketplaces, the streets, the houses, travellers and non-travellers in all situations, no matter where they are. They should pronounce the takbeer openly and continue to recite it until they come to the prayer-place the next morning, and after that until the imam comes out to lead the prayer, then they should stop reciting the takbeer.

Then he narrated from Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib, ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, Abu Salamah and Abu Bakr ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, that they used to recite takbeer on the night before Eid al-Fitr in the mosque, reciting the takbeer out loud.

It was narrated from ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr and Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan that they used to recite the takbeer out loud when they came to the prayer-pace in the morning, and that Naafi’ ibn Jubayr used to recite the takbeer out loud when he came to the prayer-place in the morning of the day of Eid.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that he used to come to the prayer-place on the morning of the day of Eid al-Fitr, when the sun had risen, and he would recite takbeer until he reached the prayer-place, then he would recite takbeer in the prayer-place until the imam sat down and stopped reciting takbeer.

Also see: Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/269-272.

WHAT ARE THE WORDINGS OF THE TAKBEER?

The below wordings are reported from the Sahabas so one can choose any of the below.

1. “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allaah).

[Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah and al-Muhamili from Ibn Mas’ud (RA) authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654)]

2. “Allaho akbar; Allahu akbar; Allahu akbar; la ilaha illa-llah; Allaho akbar; Allahu akbar; Allaho akbar wa-lillah il-hamd - Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest there is no (true) god except Allah. Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.

[Recorded by al-Bayhaqi from Ibn Abbas (RA) and by Ibn Abi Shaybay from Ibn Mas’ud (RA). Authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654.]

NOTE: The difference between the first takbir and this one is the number of time you say Allaho Akbar – with it being said twice in the first example and three times in this example

3. Allahu akbaru kabira; Allahu akbaru kabira; Allahu akbaru wa-ajall; Allahu akbaru, wa-lillah il-hamd – Allah is the Greatest – Great indeed; Allah is the Greatest – Great indeed; Allah is the Greatest and the Most Majestic; Allah is the Greatest; and to Allah belongs all praise.

[Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah from Ibn ‘Abbas (RA). Authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654)]

4. “Allahu Akbar; Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa-lillah ilhamd, Allahu akbaru wa-ajall, Alahu akbaru ‘ala ma hadana – Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; and to Allah belongs all praise. Allah is the Greatest and the Most Majestic; Allah is the Greatest for guiding us

[Recorded by al-Muhamili from Ibn ‘Abbas (RA). Authenticated in Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 654)]

STARTING WITH THE EID PRAYER

No Sunnah/Nafil prayer before the Eid Salah :

Once at the musalla or open prayer area, it is not recommended to precede or follow the Eid prayer with any voluntary prayers. Ibn ‘Abbas (r.a) reported: “The Prophet (s.a.w) went out (to the musalla) on the Day of Fitr and prayed two rak’at (of Eid prayer), not praying before or after them [Recorded by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others

[(Irwas’ul-Ghalili no. 631)]

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to come out on the day of al-Fitr and al-Adha to the prayer place, and the first thing he would do was to offer the prayer.

[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 956 ]

Ibn Hajar (RA) said: “Ibn al-‘Arabi said, ‘If praying voluntary prayers in the musalla was practiced (by the sahabah), it would have been reported to us. Those who permit it do so because that time is an open time for prayer. And those who avoid it do so because the Prophet (SAW) did not do it. And whoever follows the example (of the Prophet) is guided.’ Therefore, there is no confirmed voluntary prayer before or after the Eid prayer – contrary to those who liken it to the Jumu’ah prayer.” [Fath ul-Bari 2:614]

Furthermore, Shaikh Albani explained earlier that the Prophet (SAW) musalla was an open field at the Baqi’. Thus, it was not a masjid, which means that no tahiyyat ul-masjid (masjid’s greeting prayer) was required before sitting. However, if the Eid prayer is performed in a masjid instead of the musalla, one should pray only two rak’at (tahiyyat ul-masjid) before sitting.

SUNNAH PRAYER AFTER THE EID PRAYER (UPON REACHING HOME) :

it is permissible to pray voluntary prayers after returning from the musalla. Abu SaEid al-Khudri (RA) reported: “Allah’s Messenger (SAW) would not pray any voluntary prayer before Eid prayer. However, when he returned to his house, he prayed two rak’at

[Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah - Book of the establishment of the Prayers, and the Sunnah regarding them: Chapter (160): What occurs regarding Prayer before the `Eid Prayer and after it: Hadith 1293 and others.

[Irwa’ul-Ghalil no. 631 and Sahih ul-Jami no. 4895]

Shaikh Al-Albani (r.h) commented on this: “So the negation (of praying before and after the Eid prayer) referred only to praying at the musalla

[Irwa’ul-Ghalili 3:100]

NO ADHAN OR IQAMAH FOR THE EID PRAYER

The Eid prayer may not be preceded with the announcements of normal prayers: Athan and iqamah. Jabir Bin Samurah (RA) reported: “I prayed the Eid prayer with Allah’s Messenger (SAW) on more than one or two occasions, without athan or iqamah.

[Recorded by Msulim, Abu Dawud and others (Sahihu Abi Dawud no. 1042b]

[Also see the commentary of Ibn Al Qayyum on the above in Zad ul-Ma’ad 1:427 and As San'ani in Subul us-Salam 2:67]

THE SUNNAH IS TO KEEP THE KHUTBAH OF THE EID PRAYER AFTER THE EID PRAYER AND NOT BEFORE

One of the rulings of Eid is that the prayer should come before the khutbah, as is reported in Musnad Ahmad from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas, who testified that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed before the khutbah on Eid, then he gave the khutbah.”

[Musnad Ahmad, 1905. The hadeeth is also in al-Saheehayn]

Another indication that the khutbah should be after the prayer is the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to go out to the prayer-place on the day of al-Fitr and al-Adhaa, and the first thing he would do was to pray, then he would stand up facing the people, whilst they were still sitting in their rows, and would advise and instruct them. If he wanted to send out a military expedition, he would decide about the matter then, or if he wanted to issue a command, he would do it then.” Abu Sa’eed said: “This is what the people continued to do until I came out [to the Eid prayers] with Marwaan, when he was governor of Madeenah, on either Adhaa or Fitr. When we reached the prayer-place, we saw the minbar, which had been built by Katheer ibn al-Salt. Marwaan wanted to get on the minbar before the prayer. I pulled on his cloak, and he pulled on mine in return, then he got on the minbar and gave the khutbah before the prayer. I said, ‘You have changed it, by Allaah!’ He said, ‘O Abu Sa’eed, what you know is gone.’ I said, ‘What I know, by Allaah, is better than what I do not know.’ He said, ‘The people will not remain sitting after the prayer, so we made it [the khutbah] before the prayer.’”

[Reported by al-Bukhaari, 956]

DESCRIPTION OF THE EID PRAYER - HOW TO PRAY?

The Eid prayer is similar to the fajr and Jumu’ah prayers. It only differs from them in that it has additional takbirs as described below. And in regards to the Jummah prayer, another difference is that the khutbah is delivered before you prayer and with Eid prayer the khutbah is delivered after the prayer.

THERE IS NO VERBAL INTENTION (NIYAT) REQUIRED FOR EID OR ANY PRAYER

Those who do not utter their niyat (intention) verbally (either loudly or softly) may skip to the next heading, whereas those who do this it is absolutely mandatory that you read the below warning

This is a cursed Bid'ah followed widely in the Indian subcontinent. Not only the concept is Illogical but also it is against the teachings of rasool (s.a.w). This has been explained in detailed in my document "How to pray Salah - Posture and other details" (which hasn't been published as of 18.8.2012, but will be soon In sha Allah) . I shall explain below how the concept of uttering one's verbal Niyat is destroying the Sunnah and a cursed and Illogical Bid'ah

(1) Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1 Book #1, Hadith #1]

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari,Volume 1 Book #2, Hadith #51]

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3 Book #46, Hadith #706]

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5 Book #58, Hadith #238]

(1.1) It was narrated that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said:"Actions are but by intentions, and each man will have but that which he intended"

[Ref: Sunan Al Nasai Vol. 4, Book 27, Hadith 3467]

(1.2) The Niyat to pray Salah, should be within one's heart or mind only. there is not a single Hadith or even an Athar (teaching of a sahabi) which shows that either the Prophet (s.a.w) or the best of Muslims to have ever lived - his companions (r.a.a) ever, in their entire life uttered their Niyat (to pray) VERBALLY in words (either loudly or softly). The sahabas went to different countries wherein different people belonging to different caste and culture and languages came to them (r.a.a) to learn Islam and how to pray. the sahabas never taught anyone to make their niyat verbally in any language. So how can we do something which the Prophet (s.a.w) or his companions never did in Islam? We are neither better than them, nor are our scholars of today or past (All combined) better than them in understanding Islam. hence this action of Doing a verbal niyat (either loudly or softly ) is an innovation (Bid'at) in Islam and there are numerous hadiths warning against any Innovation in Islam. I'l Post 2 of them below :

(i) Narrated Aisha:Allah's Apostle said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony (accordance) with the principles of our religion (Mine and my sahabas), that thing is rejected."

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 49, Hadith 861]

(ii) On the Authority of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (r.a) : The prophet (s.a.w) said " If anyone introduces an innovation, he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His angels, and by all the people

[Ref: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 39, Hadith 4515]

(1.3) So the act of verbally uttering one's niyat is not only religiously wrong but Also Illogical. e.g : You hear the Asr Adhan and you get up from your bed/office/room/work/desk etc and make wudhu, then you get out of the house, walk or ride towards the masjid. enter the masjid. and get ready to pray asr behind the Imam when the Iqama is heard. Now you did this only because you "INTENDED TO PRAY ASR" and not because "YOU WERE FAKING IT"

(1.4) From 1.3 we learn that our Niyat has been already made logically. and We all know that Allah has been called by the word "Bizatis Sudoor" in the Quran which means "knower of the hearts". So Allah knows what we intend and what we don't. If a person intends to pray asr for the sake of Allah then Allah knows his niyat and if a person is standing to fake his prayer then no matter how good his verbal niyat is, Allah knows what is in his heart.

(1.5) from 1.4 we learn that Allah already knows what we are going to pray or how and etc. so now comes the Point that "if we pray only for the sake of Allah, and if Allah knows what we are going/intend to pray, and if we ourselves also know what we are going/intend to pray" then why are we reciting our niyat verbally? When Allah knows, we know then why to do this simply? is this logical? is it logical to verbally spell out your niyat when Allah and you both know what ur going to pray , what time and where, facing the Qiblah and etc? Ofcrse it isnt. so one should abstain from this for this is a cursed innovation in Islam.

Conlusion : Uttering one's niyat (intention) verbally for any salah is against Islam and logic

Number of Rak'at of the Eid Prayer

The Eid prayer is one where the imam attends and leads the people in praying two rak’ahs. ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The prayer of al-Fitr is two rak’ahs and the prayer of al-Adha is two rak’ahs, complete and not shortened, on the tongue of your Prophet, and the one who fabricates lies is doomed.”

[Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 1420 and Ibn Khuzaymah. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i and also see Irwa ul Galeel no. 638]

THE ADDITIONAL TAKBEER IN THE EID PRAYER

1. First Rak'ah has 7 Additional Takbeer excluding the takbeer given while going and getting up from Rukoo, the takbeer for/ during the sujoods.

i.e In the first rak’ah he should say Takbeerat al-ihraam (say “Allaahu akbar” to start the prayer), after which he should say six more takbeers,

2. The Second Rak'ah has 5 takbeer apart from the above mentioned usual takbeers (rukoo, sujood)

It was reported from ‘Aa’ishah: the Takbeer of (Eid) al-Fitr and (Eid) al-Adhaa is seven in the first rak’ah and five in the second, apart from the takbeer of rukoo’.

[Reported by Abu Dawood; Ibn Majah and others and classified as saheeh in Irwa ul Galeel 639]

THE PLACE OF THE TAKBEER IS BEFORE THE RECITATION OF QURAN

The Takbirs should be uttered before the recitation. ‘Abduallah bin ‘Amr (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “In (the prayer of) Fitr, there should be seven takbirs in the first rak’ah and five in the second. In both rak’at, recitation (of Qu’ran) follows this (i.e one should recite the Quran after the takbeers ; which is Surah Fatiha and another Surah after it).”

[Recorded by Abu Dawud and Al-Bayhaqi]

Note : the Muqtadi (one following the Imam) should only recite Surah Fatiha and not a surah after it because it is mandatory upon him to keep quiet and listen to the recitation of the Imam when the Imam recites a surah after Al Fatiha

WHAT IF SOMEONE MISSES SOME TAKBEERS OR JOINS THE FIRST RAK'AH LATE?

If a person joining the prayer catches up with the imaam during these extra takbeeraat, he should say “Allaahu akbar” with the imaam, and he does not have to make up any takbeeraat he may have missed, because they are sunnah, not waajib.

RAISING THE HANDS DURING THE TAKBEER?

Shaikh Albani says "There are no authentic reports describing whether or not the Prophet (SAW) raised his hands with these additional takbirs. For this reason, Imam Al-Albani said: “The reports from ‘Umar and his son (RA) do not make this a sunnah, especially when we know that these reports are not authentic. As for the one from ‘Umar, it is recorded by al-Bayhaqi with a weak chain. As for his son’s, I am unable to locate it."

[Tamam ul-Minnah 348 ]

Please note that there are some scholars though, who affirm that Ibn Umar (r.a) used to raise his hands (rafayaden) at every takbeer.

However, based on various general hadiths concerning raising the hands with takbir in the regular prayers, some ‘ulama’ allow raising the hands with these additional tabkirs. Imam al-Baghawi (RA) said: “Raising the hands with the takbirs of Eid is a sunnah according to the majority of the people of knowledge. It is also the opinion of Ibn ul-Mubarak, ash-Shafi’, Ahmad and Ishaq.”

[Sharh us-Sunnah 2:606]

Malik (RA) was asked about raising the hands with the additional takbirs, and he replied: “Yes, raise your hands with each takbir. However, I have not heard anything in this regards (from the Prophet {SAW}).”

[Recorded by al-Faryabi in Al-Eidayn 2:136]

And Al-Albani commented on the similar issue of raising the hands with the takbirs of the janazah prayer: “A person may raise his hands if he believes that Ibn ‘Umar would not do this without an approval form the Prophet (SAW).

[Ahkam ul-Jana’iz p. 148]

Conclusion : Based on the above discussion of the ‘ulama’, it can be said that raising the hands with these takbirs is permissible, but not well substantiated from the Sunnah.

RAISING THE VOICE FOR THE TAKBEER DURING THE SALAH

There are no authentic reports indicating that people raised their voice with takbir when they prayed behind the Prophet (s.a.w) or his Successors. Furthermore, a general rule is that a Muslim should say all Dhikr silently, especially if there are other people around him who may be disturbed by his raised voice. [There is ample proof for this such as the proof in Al-A’raf 7:55]

There are exceptions to this rule, such as the takbir that precedes the Eid prayer, and the talbiyah during hajj and ‘umrah. These exceptions are supported by authentic evidence form the Sunnah.

Conclusion : Since there is no evidence for the takbirs during the Eid prayer, these takbirs should be said silently by EVERYONE except the imam.

WHAT IS TO BE SAID IN BETWEEN THE TAKBEERS

There is no specific report from the prophet (s.a.w) regarding what he recited between the takbeers as Ibn ul-Qayyim (r.h) said: “The Prophet (SAW) used to remain silent between every two takbirs and nothing is reported from him regarding thikr between them. [Zad ul-Ma’ad 1:427]

However, we have a mawqoof report (i.e a saying of a sahaba) in this regard.

Hammaad ibn Salamah reported from Ibraaheem that Waleed ibn ‘Uqbah entered the mosque when Ibn Mas’ood, Hudhayfah and Abu Moosa were there, and said, “Eid is here, what should I do?” Ibn Mas’ood said: “Say ‘Allaahu akbar’, praise and thank Allaah (e.g Sana, or any other kind of dua which praises and thanks Allah), send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (durood e ibrahim or simply sending salutations shortly) and make du’aa’ (any dua'a that pleases you), then Say ‘Allaahu akbar’, praise and thank Allaah, send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)…etc.”

[Reported by al-Tabaraani. It is a saheeh hadeeth that is quoted in al-Irwaa’ and elsewhere]

WHAT IS TO BE SAID AFTER THE TAKBEER?

Al-Timridhi narrated from the hadeeth of Katheer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited takbeer in the Eid (prayer), seven times in the first rak’ah before reciting Qur’aan and five times in the second rak’ah before reciting Qur’aan. Al-Tirmidhi said: I asked Muhammad – i.e., al-Bukhaari – about this hadeeth and he said: There is nothing more sound than this concerning this topic. And I say likewise.

It is recommended (mustahabb) that in the Eid prayers the imaam should recite Qaaf [soorah 50] and Aqtarabat al-saa’ah [al-Qamar, soorah 54], as it is reported in Saheeh Muslim that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab asked Abu Waaqid al-Laythi, “What did the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite at [Eid] al-Adhaa and al-Fitr?” He said, “He used to recite Qaaf. Wa’l-Qur’aan al-majeed [Qaaf 50:1] and Aqtarabat al-saa’ah wa anshaqq al-qamar [al-Qamar 54:1].

Most of the reports indicate that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite Soorat al-A’laa [87] and Soorat al-Ghaashiyah [88], as he used to recite them in the Friday prayer. Al-Nu’maan ibn Bishr said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite on the two Eids and on Fridays, Sabbih isma rabbika’l-a’laa [al-A’laa 87:1] and Hal ataaka hadeeth al-ghaashiyah [al-Ghaashiyah 88:1].”

[Saheeh Muslim, 878]

Samurah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite on the two Eids, Sabbih isma rabbika’l-a’laa [al-A’laa 87:1] and Hal ataaka hadeeth al-ghaashiyah [al-Ghaashiyah 88:1].”

[Reported by Ahmad and others; it is saheeh. Al-Irwaa’, 3/116]

Note : The muqtadi (one praying behind the Imam) is to recite Surah Fatiha (silently) only and not a surah after it because after Al Fatiha, the muqtadi is commanded to listen to the recitation of the Imam quietly and attentively.

WHAT AFTER THE QURAN RECITATION?

After the above mentioned methods for the first and second rak'ah, continue the usual proceedings carried for any prayer.

Note the only difference between the first and the second rak'ah is that the first one has 7 additional takbeers whereas the second one has 5. Apart from that, you are to carry your rukoo, sujood and etc usually like any other prayer.

WHAT TO DO IF THE IMAM DOESN'T FOLLOW THE SUNNAH METHOD?

There are many masajids or school of thoughts which pray the salah of Eid contrary to the proven sunnah, in such case one can either choose to pray behind the Imam who follows the correct method (and this is recommended) or one if cannot find such a facility then should follow the Imam, for prophet (s.a.w) said " The Imam is to be followed" and he also said " If the Imam makes a mistake, the sin is his and you shall be rewarded for you.

All good is from Allah. All the errors are mine.