Salat al-Eid (Festival Prayer)

Salat al-Eid (Arabic: صلاة العيد) is the special prayer performed on the two great Islamic festival days: Eid al-Fitr (after Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice). This prayer is a festive act of worship that gathers the entire Muslim community in joy and gratitude.

In Shia fiqh, Salat al-Eid is obligatory (wajib) during the 12th Imam's presence (zuhur) and strongly recommended (mustahab) during his absence (ghaybah). The prayer consists of two rak'ah: in the first rak'ah, Al-Fatiha and a surah (typically Surah Al-A'la) are recited, followed by five takbirat (Allahu Akbar) with a qunut between each takbir. In the second rak'ah, Al-Fatiha and a surah (typically Surah Al-Shams) are recited, followed by four takbirat with qunut.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "The Prophet always prayed the Eid prayer in an open field (musalla) and not in the mosque" (Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih by Shaykh al-Saduq, vol. 1). It is sunnah to pray under the open sky, to eat something (dates or other food) before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, and to fast on the morning of Eid al-Adha until the prayer is completed.

After the Eid prayer, the imam delivers a khutbah (sermon) reminding the congregation of the significance of the festival day. During the khutbah for Eid al-Fitr, the rules for Zakat al-Fitrah (alms) are mentioned, and during Eid al-Adha, the rules of sacrifice (udhiyah) are explained. Shia communities gather in mosques and husayniyyahs for the Eid prayer, which is one of the most festive events of the year.