Eid al-Adha Guide: Prayer, Sacrifice, and Proper Etiquette

Prepared as a guide for Eid al-Adha, this article is a comprehensive summary compiled from authoritative Hanafi sources, covering everything from the performance of the Eid prayer and the Takbirat al-Tashriq to the fiqh rulings on the sacrifice and the distribution of meat, as well as the recommended etiquette for the day of Eid. The aim is to present, in a single, cohesive document, the information that will help Muslims observe the holiday in accordance with the Sunnah.

Eid al-Adha is one of the two major religious festivals of the year, during which closeness to Allah (kurbet) is expressed through acts of worship, the submission of Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmael is commemorated, and believers renew their bonds of brotherhood by shaking hands with one another. The following sections address, in order, the spiritual significance of these days, the methods of worship, and social etiquette.

The Spiritual Meaning and Virtues of Eid al-Adha

The ritual of sacrifice is an expression of devotion offered by the person performing the sacrifice as a substitute for their own soul. The person intends that, in exchange for the animal’s limbs, their own limbs may be spared from the fire; the sacrifice, performed with a cheerful heart and the hope of reward, serves as a shield against the fires of Hell for its owner. According to tradition, it is reported that the moment the first drop of the sacrifice’s blood touches the ground, the sins of the person performing the sacrifice are forgiven.

The true origin of Eid al-Adha lies in the complete submission of Prophet Abraham and his son, Prophet Ishmael. When Prophet Abraham, having received the command in a dream to sacrifice his son, demonstrated his loyalty to this command, Allah bestowed upon him a great sacrificial animal to slaughter in place of his son. This tradition was also continued as a Sunnah by our Prophet (peace be upon him).

The primary basis for the ritual of sacrifice in the Quran is the second verse of Surah al-Kawthar:

So pray to your Lord and sacrifice

Pronunciation: Fe-salli li-Rabbike venhar.

Translation: “Pray to your Lord and offer a sacrifice.” (Al-Kawthar, 108:2)

In Surah Al-An'am, the fact that all of a believer's worship is for Allah is expressed in the following verse:

Say: "My prayer, my worship, my life, and my death are all for God, the Lord of the Worlds."

Translation: “Say: ‘Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’” (Al-An’am, 6:162)

The hadith contains a warning for those who are able to offer a sacrifice but fail to do so:

Whoever has the means but does not offer a sacrifice should not approach our place of prayer

Translation: “Let no one who is able to offer a sacrifice but does not do so come near our place of prayer.” (Tirmidhi; Ibn Majah)

How to pray Eid prayer?

According to the Hanafi school of thought, the Eid prayer is obligatory and is performed in congregation in two units (rak’ahs). The intention for the prayer is made silently in the heart as follows: “I intend to perform the Eid prayer for the sake of Allah, following the imam who is ready.” The time for the Eid prayer begins approximately 45 minutes after sunrise and continues until mid-morning.

How to Perform the First Rak'ah

The opening takbir is recited, the hands are clasped, and the Subhaneke is recited. Then, raising the hands to the ears, three additional (obligatory) takbirs are recited; during the first two takbirs, the hands are lowered to the sides, and during the third takbir, the hands are clasped. The imam recites the "Auzü-Besmele" silently and the "Fatiha" and the additional surah aloud; after the ruku’ and prostrations, one stands up for the second rak’ah.

How to Perform the Second Rak'ah

The imam again recites the Fatiha and a surah aloud. Before going into ruku’, three additional takbirs are recited with the hands raised to the ears, and the hands are lowered to the sides with each takbir. The fourth takbir is recited as one bends into ruku’, and this takbir of ruku’ is also obligatory. The prayer is completed by sitting, reciting the tahiyyat and salli-bârik, and offering the salam to both sides.

There are a total of six additional takbirs in the Eid prayer, and these are obligatory. Unlike the Friday prayer, the sermon in the Eid prayer is delivered after the prayer; delivering the sermon before the prayer is discouraged. In the Eid al-Adha sermon, the imam reminds the congregation of the rulings regarding sacrifice as well as the Takbirs of Tashriq.

What Are the Takbirs of Tashriq, and When Are They Recited?

The Takbirat al-Tashriq are a wajib form of remembrance recited immediately after the salam of the obligatory prayers throughout Eid al-Adha. These takbirs are wajib for every accountable person, whether praying in congregation or alone, a resident or a traveler, a woman or a man. They are also recited following the two obligatory prayers performed at Arafat on the Day of Arafah as part of the Jam’ al-Takdim.

The Beginning, the End, and the Number

The Takbirs of Tashriq begin after the obligatory part of the morning prayer on the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah) and continue until the obligatory part of the afternoon prayer on the fourth day of Eid al-Adha. They are recited once after each of the 23 obligatory prayers. This practice is based on the opinion of the two Imams (Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad), which has been adopted as a fatwa.

The Full Text of the Takbir of Tashriq

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Allah

Pronunciation: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. There is no god but Allah, and Allah is the greatest. Allahu akbar, and all praise is due to Allah.

Translation: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Allah.

According to tradition, the origin of this takbir stems from the moment when Prophet Abraham laid his son Ishmael down to sacrifice him, and Gabriel called out from the heavens; Prophet Abraham responded to him, and Ishmael recited the takbir with complete submission. Thus, the Takbir of Tashriq has become a spiritual invocation that symbolizes the act of sacrifice.

Etiquette and Recommended Practices on Eid Day

In terms of the Eid al-Adha guide, the morning of the holiday has its own unique atmosphere. The recommended practices compiled in classical sources are as follows:

• Getting up early and performing ablutions: It is recommended to wake up early for the morning prayer, use a miswak, and perform a full ritual bath (ghusl).
• Dressing well and wearing perfume: Wearing the finest clothes obtained through lawful means and applying pleasant fragrances are among the recommendations of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
• Postponing the first meal until after prayer: During Eid al-Adha, it is recommended to refrain from eating anything from the true dawn until prayer time, and to postpone the meal until after prayer so that the first meal of the day consists of the meat of the sacrificed animal.
• Walking to the prayer area: If possible, walking to the Eid prayer and returning home by a different route afterward is a practice that increases one’s reward.
• Giving alms and charity: It is recommended to give generous alms on the day of the festival and to foster social solidarity by distributing a portion of the sacrificial meat to the poor.
• Exchanging holiday greetings and shaking hands: It is considered a good practice to be cheerful and smiling, to shake hands with fellow believers, and to offer the prayer, “May Allah accept from us and from you.”
• Maintaining family ties: Visiting parents, relatives, neighbors, and friends; this is one of the acts of worship that strengthens bonds of kinship and yields the quickest reward.

The Ruling and Timing of the Sacrifice

According to Hanafi jurisprudence, it is obligatory for every free, resident, and sane adult Muslim who possesses the nisab amount of wealth to sacrifice an animal during the days of Eid al-Adha. Sacrifice is the slaughter of an animal with specific characteristics, performed with the intention of worship to draw closer to Allah.

Time to Cut

The sacrifice is performed on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of Dhu al-Hijjah (the first, second, and third days of the festival). In cities, the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer; in villages, it is permissible to begin at dawn. The practice continues until sunset on the third day. It is most virtuous to perform the sacrifice on the first day.

Points to Consider During Slaughter

It is preferable for a person to slaughter their own sacrificial animal; if they are unable to do so, they should appoint a Muslim to act as their proxy and be present during the slaughter. Slaughtering the animal with a dull knife, dragging the knife across the animal’s throat multiple times, dragging the animal to the slaughter site by its leg, beginning to skin it before it has died, or severing its head abruptly are all considered disliked (makruh). Slaughtering at night is also considered disliked (makruh) due to the risk of error in the darkness.

It is makruh for a wealthy person to sell or exchange an animal purchased for sacrifice without a valid reason; however, since sacrifice is obligatory for the poor, it is absolutely impermissible for them to sell such an animal. Neither the hide nor any portion of the meat from the sacrificed animal may be given to the butcher as payment for the slaughter.

Sharing Sacrificial Meat: The 1/3 Rule

According to classical sources, the recommended division of sacrificial meat is done by dividing it into three equal parts:

1. Part of it is distributed as charity to the poor, the needy, and those in need.
2. Some are given as gifts: They are given to relatives, neighbors, and friends as treats or gifts.
3. A portion for the family: This is set aside for the sacrificer’s own household and children.

If the person offering the sacrifice is in need, it is more virtuous for them to keep all of the meat for their own family. In this way, the distribution of the sacrificial meat takes on a spiritual dimension, both enriching the family table and providing an opportunity to share in the joy of the needy and relatives.

The Day Before Eid and Its Virtues

Arefe is the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and comes immediately before Eid al-Adha. In a hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated , “The most virtuous prayer is the one offered on the Day of Arefe.” For pilgrims performing the standing at Arafat on the Day of Arafah, there is the glad tiding that whoever controls their eyes, ears, and tongue will have their past sins forgiven.

It has been reported that fasting on the Day of Arafah serves as atonement for minor sins committed in the past and the coming year. However, it is Sunnah for pilgrims present at Arafat for the Hajj not to fast during the standing at Arafat, so that they do not become weak. This day is also considered an opportunity to attend a gathering of knowledge and to receive the forgiveness of the angels and the inhabitants of the Throne.

Things That Are Disliked or Prohibited During the Festival

Since the days of Eid are a feast for God’s servants, certain practices are not considered appropriate for these days. Here is what you need to know as part of the Eid al-Adha guide:

• Fasting on holiday days: Fasting on the first day of Eid al-Fitr and during the four days of Eid al-Adha is strongly discouraged (tahrîmen makruh).
• Voluntary prayers before the Eid prayer: Voluntary prayers should not be performed at home or in the mosque before the time of the Eid prayer; performing voluntary prayers in the mosque after the Eid prayer is discouraged.
• Cruelty to the sacrificial animal: It is disliked to slaughter the animal with a dull knife, to begin skinning it before it has died, to sever its head abruptly, and to fail to face it toward the qibla.
• Selling the sacrificial animal’s hide: It is not permissible to give the hide and meat of the sacrificial animal to the butcher as payment for the slaughter; the hide is considered a charitable donation.

Etiquette for Visiting Graves

Visiting graves during the holiday is a widespread tradition. According to classical sources, one should recite one Fatiha and eleven Ihlâs at the grave and dedicate the reward to the deceased; furthermore, reciting the Yâsîn and Tekâsür surahs is also considered recommended. Sitting, sleeping, or defiling graves is discouraged. Plucking the green grass or cutting the trees on graves is also considered inappropriate; for as long as these plants remain alive, their supplications serve to alleviate the sins of the deceased beneath them.