Salat al Eid

Salat al Eid ( _ar. صلاة العيد) also known as Salat al Eidain (Arabic: صلاة العيدين) is the special prayer offered to commemorate two Islamic festivals. Both the Eids are collectively known as Eidain (عيدين) in Arabic language. The two Islamic festivals are:

*Eid Al Fitr, ( _ar. عيد الفطر) is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic calendar.
*Eid Al Adha, ( _ar. عيد الأضحى) is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of Islamic calendar.

On both the occasions this special prayer is usually offered in Eidgah, a place in the outskirts of the city dedicated for Salat al Eid.

Importance

Different scholars interpret the importance of this Salah (prayer) differently. Salat al Eid is Wajib according to Hanafi scholars, Sunnah al Mu'kkadah according to Maliki and Shaf'i jurisprudence, and Fard according to Hanbali scholars. Some scholars say it is fard al-ayn and some said its fard al-kifaya [cite web | title=Ruling on Eid prayers | work=Islam Question and Answer | url=http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=48983&ln=eng] .

Participation of women and children

During the time of prophet Muhammad, it has been a practice that women and children too had participated in Salat al Eid.

Timing

The time of Salat al Eid begins when sun reaches approximately two meters above the horizon until it reaches its meridian before Dhuhr. Adhering to the Sunnah, the time for Eid al Fitr prayer is delayed and Eid al Adha prayer is hastened, so as to facilitate distribution of Fitrah before the Eid al Fitr prayer and offer sacrifice after the Eid al Adha prayer. This has been a proved Sunnah and has been well recorded in Hadith books.

References