Can Women Pray ‘Eid Prayer at Home Alone

Question

Can Women Pray the Eid Prayer at Home?

Bottom Line

It is Sunnah for women to attend Eid prayer with the community. Praying Eid at home in a women-only congregation led by a woman has no basis in the Sunnah and is considered a bid‘ah.

Quick Answer

Women are encouraged by the Prophet ﷺ to attend Eid prayer with the Muslims. Eid prayer is Sunnah for women, not obligatory. Organizing Eid prayer at home separately for women is not prescribed and was never practiced by the Prophet ﷺ or his Companions.

Key Takeaways

• Women are encouraged to attend Eid prayer in the designated place with the community.
• Eid prayer is Sunnah for women, not an obligation, but highly rewarding when attended.
• Praying Eid at home in a women-only congregation is not from the Sunnah and is regarded as an innovation.

Detailed Answer

It is prescribed for women to attend the Eid prayer with the Muslims. Umm ʿAtiyyah (رضي الله عنها) said:

“The Messenger of Allah commanded us to bring out on al-Fitr and al-Adha the girls who had reached puberty, menstruating women and women in seclusion. The menstruating women were to keep away from the prayer but witness goodness and the supplication of the Muslims.” Sahih al-Bukhari 324; Sahih Muslim 890

Is Eid Prayer Obligatory for Women?

The Standing Committee said:

“Eid prayer is not obligatory for women, rather it is Sunnah for them, and they should offer this prayer in the prayer place with the Muslims, because the Prophet instructed them to do that.” (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 8/284)

Can Women Pray Eid at Home?

It is not prescribed for women to hold their own Eid prayer at home. Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn said:

“What is prescribed for women is to offer the Eid prayer in the Eid prayer place with the men, because of the hadith of Umm ʿAtiyyah. As for women offering the Eid prayer in their houses, I know of no Sunnah concerning that.” (Fatawa Nur ʿala al-Darb, 189/8)

He further clarified:

“Gathering women to pray Eid in one house and appointing one of them to lead is an innovation. Eid prayer can only be offered in congregation with the men. There is no report from the Prophet ﷺ or his Companions of women praying Eid at home.” (Fatawa Nur ʿala al-Darb, 189/9)

What This Means for You

If you are able, attend the Eid prayer in the designated place with the Muslims. Women should not organize separate Eid prayers at home. Eid prayer is Sunnah, not obligatory, but attending the communal gathering fulfills the Prophet’s ﷺ command.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

• Sahih al-Bukhari 324; Sahih Muslim 890: Hadith of Umm ʿAtiyyah on women attending Eid.

Secondary Sources

• Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 8/284
• Ibn ʿUthaymīn, Fatawa Nur ʿala al-Darb, 189/8–9