Apart from family gatherings, feasts and celebrations, congregational Eid prayers performed soon after sunrise make it even more of a special occasion. Traditionally, Muslims gather in huge numbers in big mosques or grounds called Eid Mussallahs across the country to perform Eid prayers, which are led by an Imam.
However, this year, Muslims will have an exceptional Eid experience as they will have to offer Eid prayers at home since mosques were closed for congregational prayers as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus.
As per the Emirates Fatwa Council, Eid Al Fitr prayers should be performed at home. Taking all precautionary measures to protect yourself and your family is a religious and national commitment.
Since Eid prayers come only twice a year (Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha), there is often confusion about how to perform this prayer. It is easy to follow the prayer when you are praying behind an Imam. Since people this year will have to offer Eid prayers at home, it is even more important to know how to perform this prayer accurately.
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (ICAD) in Dubai explained the process of performing Eid prayers at home.
According to ICAD, Eid prayer is a confirmed and highly recommended Sunnah, and one that is preferably performed in an open space. “In the event that we are prevented from performing it in an open space in congregation due to fear of a pandemic, like COVID-19, then Eid prayers can be performed at home, individually, or together with your family members living with you in the house,” the statement added.
Eid prayer is performed the same way as it is offered in the mosques but there will be no Khutba (sermon), which is delivered by an Imam in the mosque. It is as simple as offering any other regular daily prayers.
How to perform
Eid prayer has two rak’ahs but it has extra ‘takbeers’ (takbeer is an Arabic word referring to when “Allah-u- Akbar” is said to start the prayer and the hands are raised to the ears).
In any normal prayer, you say only one ‘takbeer’ but for Eid prayer, you say ‘takbeer’ for 12 times in two rak’ahs, according to the procedure followed in the UAE.
You must say seven takbeers in the first rak’ah and then start reciting the Quran as you do in normal prayers.
You must say extra five takbeers in the beginning of second rak’ah and then complete your prayer as normal.
