Elements of Islamic Studies

Lesson 51: Salat al-‘Eidayn

The Muslims observe two big festivals in a year. One as Eid-ul-Fitr and the other is Eid-ul-Adha.
These two are the days of great festivity.
Eid-ul-Fitr is observed at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The fasting creates the feelings of faith, spirituality, patience, contentment, and helping the poor. With a view to express our joy on these feelings we observe Eid. The festivity of the Muslims is not akin to dancing, singing vulgar songs or playing dirty games. We offer our gratefulness to Allah and also offer the Salat al-‘Eid for those religious, spiritual and moral gains which accrue to us in the holy month of Ramadan.
The Muslims offer sacrifice on the day of Eid-ul-Adha. Thus they pledge to give away their lives in the way of Allah and that of lslam. This is a great month for the believer. This is the motto of a Muslim's life. In happiness of this pledge, we offer prayer of Eid-ul-Adha. The prayer of Eid is not obligatory (wajib) but recommended (mustahab) nowadays when our present Imam is hidden from our eyes. The niyyah (intention) of Salat al-Eid should be done as follows:-
"I pray two rak’at prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-ul-Adha sunnat qurbatan ilal-Laah.”
In the first rak’at, after Surah al-Hamd, Surah al-A'la is recited then the hands are raised for qunut.

Du’a in the Qunut

"Allahumma ahl al-kibriya’i wa’l azamah wa ahl al-jud wa’l jabarut, wa ahl al-‘afw war-rahmah, wa ahl at-taqwa wa’l maghfirah; asaluka bihaqqi haadha’l yawm-illadhi ja'altahu li’l Muslimeen eidan, wa li Muhammadin Salla’llahu ‘alayhi wa Aalihi dhukhran wa karamatan wa sharafan wa mazeeda; an tusalli ‘ala Muhammdin wa Aali Mumammadin, wa an tudkhilani fi kulli khayrin adkhalta fihi Muhammadan wa Aala Muhammadin wa an tukhrijani min kulli su’in akhrajta minhu Muhammadan wa Aala Muhammadin, salawatuka 'alayhi wa 'alayhim ajma'in. Allahumma, inni as'aluka khayra ma sa’alaka bihi ‘ibadukas-salihun; wa a'udhu bika mimma ista'aza minhu 'ibaduka’l rnukhlisun."
In first rak’at, the qunut is recited five times along with takbirs (AIlahu Akbar). Then after the ruku’ and sajdah, the second rak'at begins
In the second rak'at Surah al-Shams is recited after Surah al-Hamd.
In Surah al-Shams, Allah has directed man to keep his self pure and to protect himself from sins. After the recitation of this Surah, the qunut is again recited but now only four times. Thereafter ruku’, sajdah, tashahhud and Salaam are done in the usual way.