The B.C. Muslim Association Telephone (604) 270-2522
12300 Blundell Road info@thebcma.com
Richmond BC V6W 1B3 www.thebcma.com
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May 19, 2020
Eid Prayer Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic Public Restrictions
Assalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah,
As we approach Eidul Fitr this year, Muslims around the globe face a very peculiar situation to
celebrate Eid and especially to perform Eid prayer due to COVID-19 public gathering
restrictions. We, the Muslims of British Columbia are of no exception to this. Therefore, many of
us are curious to know the permissibility of Eid prayer at home in the current situation. This write
up is to clarify such concerns.
Ruling of Eid Prayer
The ruling of Eid prayer varies in the four major Sunni schools of law.
Maliki and Shafi fiqh regard it as a highly stressed Sunnah prayer. As per Hanbali, it is a
communal obligation, whereas, in Hanafi Fiqh, it is Wajib. ( ).
Eid Prayer at Home
According to Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali, it is permissible even in regular circumstances for the
one who misses the Eid salat at the mosque to perform it at home whether individually or in
congregation. ( )
The basis for their ruling is the practice of a companion Anas Bin Malik R.A. who performed Eid
prayer at home with his family when he missed it with the Imam. (). This is the
position adopted by the Fatwa Committee of Muslim jurists of North America in view of the
current situation. Please refer to their online fatwa at www.amjaonline.org.
As far as Fiqh Hanafi is concerned, among the conditions for the validity of Eid prayer is the
congregation and public access to the place of worship (). There is a consensus among
Hanafi Jurists that Eid prayer can only be performed in a congregation like Jumu’ah (
). To accommodate both these conditions for the validity of Eid prayer at home in our
current situation, a number of Hanafi scholars have permitted it with the following three
conditions:
1. The person doesn't have access to the masjid;
2. It must be in the congregation of a minimum 3 adult males besides the Imam and
3. The presence of minimum one or more individuals besides one's family possibly from the
neighborhood, to join the prayer. (Online Fatwa by )
Given the situation, we advise families to observe all the Sunnahs of Eid (i.e. ghusl, eating
breakfast, wearing one’s best garments, saying the general takbeerat after Fajr, etc.) and then
praying a congregational prayer at home in view of the above three conditions.
Method of Performing Eid Prayer
There is a consensus that Eid prayer is of two rakaat with extra takbeerat. According to Hanbali
The B.C. Muslim Association Telephone (604) 270-2522
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Richmond BC V6W 1B3 www.thebcma.com
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and Maliki, there are 7 takbeerat in the first unit inclusive of the opening takbir and 6 takbeerat in
the second rakaat including takbiratul qiyam. In Fiqh Shafi, there are 7 takbirat in the first unit
exclusive of the opening tabkeer and the same 6 takbeerat in the second rakaat like Hanbali and
Maliki (: ). In Hanafi Fiqh, there are total 6 extra takbeerat exclusive of takbiratul
Ihram, Qiyam, and Ruko' ().
Eid prayer method as per Hanafi Fiqh
The following intention should be made: “I intend offering two rakaats necessary (wajib) of Eid
ul-Fitr prayer with six necessary takbeerat.” The one leading the prayer should intend to lead the
congregation as part of his niyyah. After making this intention, he should commence his prayer.
He must recite the thanaa’ and then say Allahu Akbar 3 times. Each time that he says Allahu
Akbar, he should raise his hands to his ears just as he does for the takbeer-e-tahreemah. After
making the takbeer, he should let his hands rest at his sides. In-between each takbeer, he
should pause to such an extent that he can read Sub’haanallah three times. After the third
takbeer, he should not rest his hands but fold them. He should then read the ta’awwudh and
bismillah, Surah Faatihah, and another Surah. Thereafter, he should make his ruku and sajdah
and stand up as he normally does. In the second rakaat, he should first recite Surah Faatihah
and another Surah. Thereafter, he should make three takbeers but after the third takbeer, he
should not fold his hands but leave them at his sides. He should then make one more takbeer,
go into ruku, and complete the rest of the prayer as usual. ( )
Eid Sermon
All four schools of law are in agreement that Eid sermon is recommended but not a condition for
the validity of Eid prayer, and it is to be delivered after the Eid prayer because of the narration of
Abdullah Bin Sa'ib R.A. who says, "I attended the Eid prayer with the Messenger, peace be
upon him, Upon completing the prayer, he said "we shall deliver the sermon, whoever wants to
sit for the sermon should sit, and whoever wants to leave should leave" (). It is
advised that we fulfill this Sunnah by reading any short online Arabic sermon or its
transliteration. Attached is a short Eid sermon in Arabic for this purpose.
For those who are unable to perform Salatul Eid in a congregation even at home, as per Fiqh
Hanafi, should pray four-rakaat Nafl prayer instead without any extra takbeers. This is reported
by the famous companion Ibn Masood R.A. He said, "The one who misses the Eid prayer should
perform 4 rakaat as an optional prayer" :) / ). This prayer is not a substitute for Eid
Salah however, a good way to earn reward.
In conclusion, Eid is the day of joy and celebration, therefore do not hesitate to celebrate this
day of joy with your family and a special treat to your children, within the limits of COVID-19
health guidelines. We ask Allah the All Mighty to accept all our ibadaat and may He deliver us
from this difficult situation sooner. Ameen!
Mufti Mohammad Shujaath Ali Nadwi
Board of Religious Services
The BC Muslim Association
