Short answer
In the Hanafi school the Eid prayer is wajib (necessary), not fard, for every man who is obliged to attend Jumuah. The Shafi'i and Maliki schools hold it is a strongly emphasised sunnah, and the Hanbali school holds it is a communal obligation.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers are wajib on those for whom Jumuah is obligatory: adult, sane, resident, healthy men in a town. It is two rakats in congregation with six extra takbirs, followed by a khutbah, and it cannot be made up alone if missed.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- A sunnah mu'akkadah; it may also be prayed alone or at home by one who misses the congregation.
- Maliki
- A sunnah mu'akkadah for those obliged to attend Jumuah.
- Hanbali
- A fard kifayah (communal obligation): if enough people pray it, the rest are not sinful.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ prayed the Eid prayer every year from the time it was prescribed and never left it. He even told the women, including young girls, to come out to the prayer ground. The Hanafi school takes this constant practice, together with the command in Surah al-Kawthar to "pray to your Lord and sacrifice", as proof that the Eid prayer is wajib.
The conditions are the same as for Jumuah, except that the khutbah comes after the prayer and is sunnah. So it is wajib on men who are resident and well. It is not wajib on women, travellers or the sick, though they may attend and gain the reward. Women who attend should follow the usual guidance on modest dress.
- Time: from about 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise until just before zawal (midday).
- Form: two rakats with three extra takbirs in each, no adhan and no iqamah.
- If you miss it: the Hanafi school says it cannot be made up alone. Look for a later congregation at another masjid, which is common in big cities. If none is left, some Hanafi texts recommend four rakats of voluntary prayer like the Duha prayer.
Read the step-by-step method in how to pray Eid salah and check the dates on our Eid dates page.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Kawthar 108:2
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].
Hanafi exegetes read this as the Eid al-Adha prayer followed by the sacrifice.
Sahih Muslim 890
Sahih... أمرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن نخرجهن في الفطر والأضحى ...
"The Messenger of Allah ordered us to bring them out for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha."
The Prophet ﷺ commanded even women to attend, showing how important the Eid prayer is.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the two Eids. The Eid prayer is wajib on whoever Jumuah is obligatory upon, according to the sound view.
- Bada'i al-Sana'i, Chapter on the Eid prayer. Explains the evidence for its being wajib and its conditions.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Chapter on the Eid prayer. The Hanbali school holds it to be a communal obligation.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.