Is Eid Prayer Obligatory or a Sunnah

Question

Is Eid Prayer Obligatory?

Bottom Line

Eid prayer is fard ‘ayn (individually obligatory) for men.

Quick Answer

There are three scholarly views:
1. Sunnah mu’akkadah – Malik and al-Shafi‘i.
2. Communal obligation – Imam Ahmad.
3. Individual obligation – Abu Hanifah, supported by Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Shawkani, Ibn Baz, and Ibn ʿUthaymīn.

The stronger evidence supports the third view, as the Prophet ﷺ commanded everyone, even secluded women, to attend.

Key Takeaways

• Three main positions exist: Sunnah, communal obligation, or individual obligation.
• The Prophet ﷺ instructed all Muslims, including women and menstruating women, to attend the Eid gathering.
• Many contemporary scholars, including Ibn Baz and Ibn ʿUthaymīn, consider Eid prayer fard ‘ayn for men.

Detailed Answer

The days of the two Eids are days of joy and happiness, and these days are singled out for some acts of worship, special practices, and traditions.

The Eid prayer is one where the imam attends and leads the people in praying two rak’ahs. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The prayer of al-Fitr is two rak’ahs and the prayer of al-Adha is two rak’ahs, complete and not shortened, on the tongue of your Prophet, and the one who fabricates lies is doomed.” Narrated by al-Nasai, 1420, and Ibn Khuzaymah. Classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasai.

Abu Sa’id said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to come out on the day of al-Fitr and al-Adha to the prayer place, and the first thing he would do was to offer the prayer. Narrated by al-Bukhari, 956

Three Scholarly Views

1. Sunnah mu’akkadah – the position of Malik and al-Shafi‘i.
2. Communal obligation – the view of Imam Ahmad.
3. Individual obligation – the position of Abu Hanifah, also narrated from Ahmad, and supported by Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Shawkani, and others.

Evidence for Obligation

Allah says:

“Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).” Qur’an 108:2

Some scholars explained this as the Eid prayer.

More decisively, the Prophet ﷺ commanded men, women, virgins, and secluded women to attend Eid. Even menstruating women were told to witness the gathering, though not to pray Sahih al-Bukhari 324; Sahih Muslim 890

Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn said:

“The Eid prayer is fard ‘ayn (individual obligation). It is not permissible for men to miss it, except with an excuse.” (Majmūʿ Fatāwā, 16/214, 217)

Shaykh Ibn Baz likewise said:

“This view is more correct based on the evidence.” (Majmūʿ Fatāwā, 13/7)

What This Means for You

Eid prayer is not to be neglected. The stronger opinion is that men are individually obliged to attend unless they have a valid excuse. Women are strongly encouraged to attend as well.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Kawthar 108:2: Command to pray and sacrifice.

Hadith

2. Sahih al-Bukhari 324: The Prophet ﷺ commanded women to attend Eid.
3. Sahih Muslim 890: Menstruating women are told to witness the Eid gathering.
4. Sahih al-Bukhari 956: The Prophet ﷺ would pray first on the day of Eid.
5. Sunan al-Nasa’i 1420:Ibn Khuzaymah – ‘Umar said Eid prayer is two rak‘ahs, complete and not shortened. Graded sahih by al-Albani.

Secondary Sources

6. Al-Nawawī, al-Majmūʿ, 5/5: Shafi‘i fiqh commentary discussing the ruling of Eid prayer.
7. Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī, 3/253: Hanbali legal reference detailing Eid prayer obligations.
8. Al-Mardāwī, al-Insāf, 5/316: Clarification of Hanbali positions on Eid rulings.
9. Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Ikhtiyārāt, p. 82: Preferred view that Eid prayer is individually obligatory.