Eid Salah during Covid-19 lockdown

As-Salaam Alaikum,

May the peace be upon you all.

The Government has decided to continue the lockdown with some restrictions partially relaxed. It is imperative that people continue to comply with the lockdown measures. In light of this, the guidance for Eid Ṣalah for Muslims in the UK is as follows:

Eid Prayer in the Masjid

As the Government has confirmed that religious places are to remain closed, Eid Ṣalah will not be organised in Rumi Mosque for the general public.

Key workers who are currently accessing the Masjid legally should perform Eid Ṣalah in the Masjid, if possible, whilst complying with all the necessary precautions.

The minimum number of participants for the validity of Eid Ṣalah in the Hanafi school is four mature (baligh) males including the Imam, similar to Jumuʿah Ṣalah. Therefore, if four key workers are not present, Eid Ṣalah will not take place.

Eid Ṣalah at home and other settings

If four adult males are lawfully present in a home or workplace or elsewhere, they can perform Eid Ṣalah whilst taking all the necessary precautions. In the home setting, the females and children from the same household can also participate. The Ṣalah can also be performed in the garden. It is, however, imperative to continue to comply with the lockdown measures.

The method of performing Eid Ṣalah is outlined at the end of these guidelines.

What if Eid Ṣalah is not performed?

Although Eid Ṣalah is wajib (necessary) under normal circumstances, individuals at home who are unable to perform Eid Ṣalah or decide not to are excused due to the lockdown. They will, InshaAllah, be rewarded based on their intention and actions of previous years.

Individuals who do not perform Eid Ṣalah can perform two or four rakʿat nafl Ṣalah, as mentioned by Imam Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Shaybānī (d. 189/805) in al-Aṣl (1:320). The companion ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿud (d. 32/653, may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Whoever misses the Eid prayer should perform four rakʿat” (Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzaq, 5713; Muṣannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5800; the narration is ṣaḥiḥ, Fatḥ al-Bari, 2:475).

Performing two or four rakʿat is optional and a nafl Ṣalah. Thus, it will be performed individually without any extra takbirs, as it is not Eid Ṣalah. Accordingly, there will be no Khuṭbah (sermon) thereafter.

The aforementioned ruling takes into account the challenges posed by the lockdown and restrictions on gatherings, the unique nature of Eid Ṣalah, its significance, the absence of a replacement such as Ẓuhr for Jumuʿah Ṣalah, along with some narrations from the pious predecessors (Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzaq, 5855, 5716; al-Sunan al-Kubra, 6237; Maʿani al-Athar, 7289; Muṣannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2:4).

Everyone is requested to maintain respect for the various positions of scholars in this regard, and supplicate to Allah Almighty to protect us all and remove this calamity, so we can perform Ṣalah in the Masjids as soon as possible.

General advice

Sadaqat al-Fiṭr should be donated in advance of Eid day via a reputable charity so that it reaches the poor by Eid day. The Prophet ﷺ prescribed it as purification of the fasting from idle talk and obscenities and also as food for the poor (Sunan Abi Dawud, 1609).

Eid is a great blessing of Allah Almighty. It is therefore important to adopt the Sunnah practices of Eid even if one does not perform Eid Ṣalah, expressing his gratitude to Allah Almighty and marking the occasion of happiness and joy. Some of the etiquettes of Eid that should be adopted during the lockdown include:

Performing Fajr Ṣalah in congregation at home.

Undertaking Ghusl (bath) before Eid Ṣalah (or the Nafl Ṣalah) and using the Miswak.

Applying perfume.

Wearing the best clothes available, it is not necessary to go shopping to purchase new clothes.

Eating dates or something sweet before Eid Ṣalah (or the Nafl Ṣalah).

Reciting Takbirat in abundance.

Congratulating others in person and over the phone by saying تَقَبَّلَّ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكَ (may Allah accept [the worship] from us and you) (al-Tarikh al-Kabir, 1:116; al-Thiqat, 9:90; al-Duʿaʾ, p.288; al-Sunan al-Kubra, 3:446).

Donating charity and keeping the poor and vulnerable in mind.

Eid Ṣalah method

This section is for those who perform Eid Ṣalah and are unfamiliar with its method.

Eid Ṣalah can be performed from shortly after sunrise until midday.

There is no Adhan or Iqamah for Eid Ṣalah.

Two Rakʿat will be performed with loud recitation similar to Fajr Ṣalah. The Khuṭbah (sermon) will be after Ṣalah.

The Ṣalah contains six extra takbirs, three before the recitation in the first Rakʿat and three after the recitation in the second Rakʿat.

Khuṭbah is not a prerequisite for the validity of Eid Ṣalah. However, it is masnun and therefore every attempt should be made to deliver the Khutbah even if it is brief. If for some reason, the Khuṭbah is not delivered, this will be makruh (disliked), however, the Eid Ṣalah will be valid.

The sequence for Eid Ṣalah is as follows:

Say Takbir Taḥrimah (Allahu Akbar), fold the hands and then read Thanā (Subhanaka)  in the usual manner.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and drop your hands down to the side, as they are in qawmah after rukuʿ.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and drop your hands down to the side.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and fold the hands.

Recite Surah Fatiḥah and a Surah (preferably Surah al-Aʿla) (Only for the Imam, those behind will listen)

Perform rukuʿ, qawmah, sajdah as usual and stand up for the second Rakʿat.

Recite Surah Fatiḥah and a Surah (preferably Surah al-Gashiyah) (Only for the Imam, those behind will listen)

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and drop your hands down to the side.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and drop your hands down to the side.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and drop your hands down to the side.

Say Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and go into rukuʿ.

Complete the remaining of the Ṣalah in the usual manner.

If you perform the Eid Prayer at 9 15 in the Eid morning than you can join us for online Eid Prayer Khutbah through our Youtube channel ( www.youtube.com/RumiMosque ) at 9 30 . Subscribe our Youtube channel and donate to our mosque generously. 

Alternatively, after Ṣalah, deliver both parts of the Khuṭbah on your own in a standing position. The template on this link can be used.

Allah knows best

Eid Mubarak lana wa lakum.