Eid ul-Fitr — The Festival of Breaking the Fast

What is Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. It falls on the 1st of Shawwāl. It is a day of gratitude to Allah for the strength to complete the fast, and a celebration of the spiritual growth gained during the month.

The one who fasts has two joys: joy when he breaks his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord. Sahih al-Bukhari · Sahih Muslim

Note: Fasting on Eid day is ḥarām (prohibited).

Sunnah Acts of the Day

Ghusl — bathe before the prayer.
Wear your best clothes — new or clean; it is a day of celebration.
Eat before leaving — eat an odd number of dates before the Eid ul-Fitr prayer (this is specific to Fitr, not Adha).
Pay Zakāt al-Fiṭr — it must be paid before the Eid prayer. It is wājib on every Muslim who possesses the niṣāb. It purifies the fast.
Recite the takbīrāt — from sunset on the last night of Ramadan until the Imam begins the Eid prayer. Recite aloud on the way to the prayer:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, lā ilāha illa llāh, wa llāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, wa lillāhi l-ḥamd

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.

Take a different route home — the Prophet ﷺ would return from the Eid prayer by a different path than he came (Bukhari).
Give greetings — it is sunnah to greet one another. A common greeting: تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ (Taqabbal Allāhu minnā wa minkum — May Allah accept from us and from you).

How to Pray Eid Salat (Hanafi)

2 rakʿahs with 6 extra takbīrāt (3 in each rakʿah)
No adhān, no iqāmah
Prayed in congregation, ideally in an open area
The khuṭbah is delivered after the prayer (unlike Jumuʿah)
Time: after sunrise until before Ẓuhr

First Rakʿah

Make your intention: "I intend to pray 2 rakʿahs Eid salat with 6 extra takbīrāt, behind the Imam."
The Imam says the opening takbīr (Allāhu Akbar) — raise your hands to your ears and fold them.
Recite Thanāʾ (opening praise) silently.
The Imam says 3 extra takbīrāt — for each one, raise your hands to your ears then drop them to your sides. After the 3rd extra takbīr, fold your hands.
The Imam recites al-Fātiḥah and a sūrah aloud — listen silently.
Complete the rakʿah as normal (rukūʿ, sujūd).

Second Rakʿah

The Imam stands and recites al-Fātiḥah and a sūrah aloud — listen silently.
After the recitation, the Imam says 3 extra takbīrāt — for each one, raise your hands to your ears then drop them to your sides (do not fold after the 3rd).
The Imam says a 4th takbīr and goes into rukūʿ — follow into rukūʿ.
Complete the rakʿah as normal (sujūd, tashahhud, durood, duʿā, taslīm).

After the prayer: The Imam delivers the khuṭbah. It is sunnah to listen.

Note: If you join late or the Imam follows a different method (e.g. Shāfiʿī — 7 takbīrāt in the first rakʿah, 5 in the second), follow your Imam. The principle is: follow the Imam you are praying behind.

The Spirit of Eid

Eid is a gift from Allah — a day of joy, forgiveness, and togetherness. It is a day to visit family, share food, give gifts to children, and remember those less fortunate.