How to Pray the Eid Namaz — Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in the Bohra Way

When and Where the Eid Namaz Is Prayed

The Eid namaz is a forenoon prayer. Its time begins after the sun has risen well above the horizon and lasts until just before zawal (the sun’s decline at midday). It is prayed only in congregation, not individually, and only when established under the authority of the Dai al-Mutlaq — in practice the aamil saheb leads it, or a mu’min appointed by him, in the masjid or markaz where the community gathers.

There are two Eids:

1. Eid al-Fitr — the 1st of Shawwal, marking the completion of the Ramadan fasts. It is mustahab to eat something light before leaving for the namaz, and Sadaqat al-Fitr should be given before the prayer.
2. Eid al-Adha — the 10th of Dhul-Hijja, during the season of Hajj. Here the recommendation is the reverse: one delays eating until after the namaz (and, for those offering it, after the qurbani/sacrifice).

Before going, ghusl is mustahab, as is wearing one’s best and cleanest clothes and applying itr. The takbirat of Eid are recited on the way and at the gathering.

How the Prayer Is Performed

The Eid namaz is two rak’at. Unlike the daily salat it has no adhan and no iqama. Its hallmark is the set of additional takbirs — each said by raising the hands and reciting Allahu Akbar — added in each rak’at, with short glorification (tasbih) recited between them.

The general shape, following the Fatimid method codified in the Mansak, is:

1. Make the niyyat for salat al-Eid and begin with the opening takbir (takbirat al-ihram).
2. Recite the opening words, then perform the series of extra takbirs prescribed for the first rak’at, pausing between each to glorify Allah.
3. Recite Surat al-Fatiha followed by a second sura, then complete the ruku and the two sajdas as normal.
4. Rise for the second rak’at, perform the prescribed series of extra takbirs for that rak’at, then recite al-Fatiha and a sura.
5. Complete ruku, the two sajdas, the tashahhud, and the taslim.

The precise number of takbirs in each rak’at, the words said between them, and the suras the imam recites are all fixed in the community Mansak — do not assume the count used by other schools, as the Bohra figure is specified separately. Follow the aamil saheb’s lead throughout: he raises his hands and pronounces each takbir aloud, and the congregation follows.

The Khutbah, the Bohra Practice, and a Reminder

After the two rak’at are complete, the imam delivers the khutbah (sermon). This is the reverse of Jumu’a, where the khutbah comes before the prayer; for Eid the prayer comes first and the khutbah after. The congregation sits and listens; the khutbah carries the themes of the day — gratitude at the end of Ramadan for Eid al-Fitr, and the lessons of sacrifice and devotion for Eid al-Adha — together with the du’as and salawat of the Fatimid heritage.

In the Dawoodi Bohra community the Eid is also a day of communal gathering. Mumineen attend the markaz, the namaz and khutbah are held under the Dai’s establishment, and the day continues with niyaz and the shared thaal. Greeting one another and seeking blessings are part of the occasion.

This guide is a study aid for learning the shape of the Eid namaz; it is not a substitute for the authoritative method. The binding details — the exact takbir count, the suras, the du’as, and the timing in your jamaat — are those of the community Mansak. Please confirm them with your aamil saheb and follow the Mansak.

See also: Eid Prayers, Rakat Counts Of Salat, Niyyat Of Salat, Sadaqat Al Fitr Guide