How to Perform Eid Prayer at Home 

The blessed month of Zulhijjah is a month filled with blessings and rewards, yet it is often overlooked by many. ‘Zulhijjah’, which means ‘the possessor of the month of pilgrimage’, is when Muslims perform the Hajj. However, this does not mean those who do not perform the Hajj are of lesser significance or are not able to achieve the rewards of Zulhijjah.

During the first 10 days of Zulhijjah, especially the Day of Arafah, Muslims are encouraged to celebrate with multiple acts of worship such as fasting and observing zikir (remembrance). Read the virtues of the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.

On the 10th day, we are not allowed to fast. Instead, we celebrate the completion of the Hajj and the blessed days with the celebration of Hari Raya Aidiladha or Hari Raya Haji, a day that is full of significance. This includes praying our Sunnah prayer of Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Just like the Sunnah Aidilfitri prayer, the Sunnah Aidiladha prayer is also considered to be one of the most highly regarded amongst other Sunnah Prayers (nawafil). Although it is not Wajib (Obligatory), its ruling is Sunnah Muakkadah (highly recommended).

The period to perform the Aidiladha Sunnah prayer is on the 10th of Zulhijjah when the sun has completely risen about 30 mins after Syuruq, which is around 7:30 am, up to before the time of Zohor prayer.

Many of us have been hoping that we could go to the mosque for Hari Raya Haji. Alhamdulillah, Muslims will be able to perform Hari Raya Haji prayers at 19 Safer Mosques with Pre-Event Testing (PET) and 47 mosques without Pre-Event Testing (PET). The limited spaces would allow congregants to perform prayers safely in three sessions. Office of the Mufti has clarified the religious position on joining congregational prayers from outside of the mosque.  

If you did not manage to get a slot, we feel for you. It’s normal to feel upset or disappointed. Rest assured, Allah s.w.t. knows what is in your heart. If you have intended to perform Hari Raya Haji prayer in the mosque and tried your best to book a slot but were not able to, your effort would still be rewarded, insyaAllah. Indeed, Allah s.w.t. is Al-Karim, The Most Generous. 

Thankfully, we can still enliven the spirit of Hari Raya by performing the Sunnah Aidiladha prayers at home which similarly entails bountiful rewards. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing the Hari Raya Haji prayer:

1) Recite intention to perform the Aidilfitri Sunnah prayer

Establish the intention for the Aidiladha Sunnah prayer:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ عِيدِ الأَضحَى رَكعَتَين لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى 

Usolli sunnata ‘idil adha rak'ataini lillah ta'ala 

I intend to pray the Sunnah prayer of Aidiladha two raka'at for Allah ta'ala

There are many benefits of congregational prayer.

If you are praying in a congregation, the intentions for Aidiladha prayer are as follows.

The one who is leading the prayer as an Imam would recite:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ عِيدِ الأَضحَى رَكعَتَين إِمَامًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Usolli sunnata ‘idil adha rak'ataini imaman lillah ta'ala

I intend to pray the Sunnah prayer of Aidiladha as the Imam two raka'at for Allah ta'ala

The Ma’mum (follower) will recite this intention:

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ عِيدِ الأَضحَى رَكعَتَين مَأمُومًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Usolli sunnata ‘idil adha rak'ataini ma’muman lillah ta'ala

I intend to pray the Sunnah prayer of Aidiladha as the Ma’mum (follower), two raka'at for Allah ta'ala

The following illustrations will guide you in praying in Jema’ah (in a congregation) at home:

Read these guidelines for praying in a congregation.

2) Perform the Takbiratul Ihram

Takbiratul Ihram is the act of raising your hands such that your thumbs are on the same level as your earlobes and your palms are on the same level as your shoulder. 

Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ while keeping your intention in mind.

3) Place your right hand over your left and recite Dua Iftitah

Upon giving the Takbir, lower your hands gently below your chest area and put your right hand over your left. 

 Recite the Dua Iftitah (opening dua) quietly only for the first raka’at:

اللهُ اَكْبَرُ كَبِرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ كَثِيرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيْلًا .وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِيْ فَطَرَالسَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيْفًا مُسْلِمًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ . إِنَّ صَلَاتِيْ وَنُسُكِيْ وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِيْ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ . لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ

Allāhu Akbar Kabirā,

Walhamdulillāhi Kathīrā

Wa Subhānallāhi Bukratan Wa aṣīlā

Wajjahtu Wajhi-allazi Fatra-Samawāti wal-Ardh

Hanīfan-Musliman Wamā ana minal-musyrikīn

Inna ṣalātī, wanusukī wamahyayā, wamamātī Lillāhi rabbil-'ālamīn

Lā Syarīka lahu Wa Bizālika Umirtu Wa Ana Minal Muslimīn 

___________________

Allah the Almighty, the Greatest

All praises be upon Him

Allah The Most Exalted of them all, day and night

I stand before The One Who created the skies and the lands

I sincerely submit to Allah and I am certainly not among those who associate Allah with other beings

Indeed my Solat, my good deeds, my life and my death are all for Allah The Lord of all the worlds

He has no partner nor parallel whatsoever, and I have been ordered as such, and I am from those who embrace Islam.

4) Give 7x Takbir

After reciting the opening prayer (Dua Ifititah), lift your hand to give another Takbir (Allahu Akbar) 7 times. Put your hands back on your chest after every Takbir as per the default standing position in prayer.

It is part of the Sunnah to recite the following in between each Takbir quietly, including after the 7th Takbir:

 سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكبَر 

SubhanAllah Walhamdu-lillah Wa-La Ilaha Ilallahu Wallahu Akbar

If one were to become confused about the number of Takbir recited - for example, reciting 8 Takbir instead of 7 Takbir, then it is okay. It is considered as Makruh (disliked), but the prayer is still valid. 

If you were to mistakenly jumble up the number of Takbir recited and the number remains unclear, take the smallest number in mind and continue from there.

Or if you were to mistakenly skip all the 7 Takbir and recite Surah Al-Fatihah immediately after the opening prayer (Dua Iftitah), then it is okay to proceed with the prayer as it does not invalidate the Sunnah Aidiladha prayer. Leaving the 7 Takbir unintentionally, however, is Makruh (disliked).

On another note, it is also important to clarify that the mentioned 7 Takbir does not include the Takbiratul Ihram (Opening Takbir).

5) Recite Surah Al-Fatihah

Once all the 7 Takbir have been made, recite the Ta’awwudz (seeking refuge in Allah s.w.t):

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A`udhu billahi min-ash-shaytanir-rajim

I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan

And then read Surah Al-Fatihah:

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ. الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العالَمينَ. الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ. مَالِكِ يَومِ الدّينِ. إِيّاكَ نَعبُدُ وَإِيّاكَ نَستَعينُ. اهدِنَا الصِّراطَ المُستَقيمَ. صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمْتَ عَلَيهِم غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِم وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Bismi llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm.

Al-ḥamdu li-llāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn.

Ar-raḥmāni r-raḥīm.

māliki yawmi d-dīn.

iyyāka naʿbudu wa-iyyāka nastaʿīn.

Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa l-mustaqīm.

ṣirāṭa lladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayri l-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa-lā ḍ-ḍāllīn

___________________

In the name of God, The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful.

Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.

The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.

You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.

Guide us on the straight path,

the path of those who have received your grace;

not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.

Amin.

Upon completing the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, you may read any other memorised surah or verse of your preference from the Quran. For the second raka’at, it is encouraged to choose a verse that does not precede the first in the order of the Quran. For example, you can read Surah Al-’Asr in the first raka’at and read Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second.

6) Complete the first raka'at

Bend forward for Ruku’

Say Allahu Akbar (Takbir) during the transition from standing to bending for Ruku’, while raising your hands just as previously explained. Lower your hands gently to your knees as you move towards the Ruku’ position. 

Say three times, 

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي العَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ

Subhanna Rabbiya l-’azim wa bihamdihi

 Glory be to Allah, the Mighty, and praise be to He

Stand in the upright position - I’tidal

After completing the Ruku’ position, return to the standing position while raising your hands just as in the Takbir position and recite during the transition:

سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami’-Allahu liman hamidah 

Allah has heard the one who praised Him

Lower your hands gently to your sides. When you are in the complete upright position, recite:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ

Rabbana walaka-l-hamd 

O Our Lord, to You are all the praises

Perform the first sujud

Go into prostration while saying the Allahu Akbar. Let your knees touch the ground first, followed by your palms and then your forehead. While in the first Sujud, recite three times:

 

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي الأَعْلَى وَبِحَمْدِهِ

Subhānna Rabbiya l-a’lā wa bihamdihi

 Glory be to my Lord The Most High, and praise be to He

Sit on your knees

In between the two Sujud, rise from the prostration to a sitting position on your knees while saying Allahu Akbar.  In the sitting position, say :

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ وَاجْبُرْنِيْ وَارْفَعْنِيْ وَارْزُقْنِيْ وَاهْدِنِيْ وَعَافِنِيْ وَاعْفُ عَنِّيْ 

Rabbighfirlī wa-rhamnī wa-jburnī wa-rfa’nī wa-rzuqnī wa-hdinī wa ‘afinī wa’fu ‘annī

O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, cover for me my shortcomings, elevate my rank, provide for me, guide me, grant me well-being, and pardon me 

Perform the second sujud

Afterwards, return to the prostration position to complete the second Sujud and repeat the recitation as mentioned previously.

Upon fulfilling the mentioned steps, you have completed the first raka’at.

7) Return to the standing position - Give 5x Takbir

Return to the standing position while saying Allahu Akbar (Takbir). Begin the Second raka’at with another 5x Takbir just as explained in step No. 4. In between each Takbir, recite:

 سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللهُ أَكبَر 

SubhanAllah Walhamdu-lillah Wa-La Ilaha Ilallahu Wallahu Akbar

8) Recite Surah Al-Fatihah

Follow step No. 5.

9) Complete the second raka'at

After reciting Surah Al-Fatihah and then followed with another Surah from the Quran, repeat the steps mentioned in step No. 6 to complete the second raka'at.

10) Recite the final Tasyahhud

Complete the prayer by reciting the final Tasyahhud: 

اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَكَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ِللهِ. اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ 

At-tahiyyātul mubārakatuṣ-ṣalawātuth ṭayyibātu lillāh. Assalāmu ‘alaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu. Assalāmu ‘alainā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhiṣ-ṣālihīn

Raise your right index finger and say:

أَشْهدُ اَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَاَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُوْلُ اللهِ

Asyhadu an lā ilāha illallāh, wa asyhadu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullāh 

Continue with the selawat:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ علَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma ṣalli 'ala Muhammadin, wa 'alā āli Muhammad, kamā ṣallaita 'ala 'āli Ibrāhīma, innaka Hamīdun Majīd. Allahumma bārik 'alā Muhammadin, wa 'alā āli Muhammad, kamā bārakta 'alā āli Ibrāhīma, innaka Hamīdun Majīd

O Allah, bestow your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as you bestowed your blessings upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed You are Praised and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed the family of Ibrahim. Indeed You are Praised and Glorious

End with the Salam

Turn your head to both of your sides, starting from the right, such that your cheek can be seen by anyone behind, and say 

السَّلَامُ عَلَيكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ 

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullah

Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you

 

10) Listen to the Aidiladha Khutbah

The Khutbah (sermon) after the prayer is not part of the Integrals (rukun) of the Aidiladha prayer like it is for the Friday prayer. It is considered to be part of the Sunnah (encouraged) in performing the Aidiladha prayer in a congregation. Hence, you are not required to deliver the khutbah at home.

Once you have performed your Aidiladha Sunnah prayer, you may listen to the Hari Raya Haji khutbah by Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir. 

The khutbah (with English subtitles) will be available at SalamSG TV YouTube at 7.40am. The sermon in Bengali will also be broadcasted on SalamSG TV at 8.40 am. Sign language interpretation will be provided.

With its highly regarded merit in the sight of Allah s.w.t. and the joyous spirit of Aidiladha, we pray that all our humble deeds and sacrifices will be accepted by Allah s.w.t.

And Allah knows best.