Is the Eid prayer obligatory?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
My shift at work usually starts early and I'm wondering how serious it is if I skip the Eid prayer. Is it actually obligatory or just recommended?
Short answer
The Eid prayer is a strongly emphasised act that the Prophet never missed, and some scholars consider it obligatory. Every Muslim should try hard to attend it.
Detailed answer
The Eid prayer is one of the most important prayers of the year. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed it every Eid and never left it. Most scholars describe it as a strongly emphasised sunnah or a duty on the community as a whole, while some scholars hold that it is obligatory on every adult Muslim man. Either way, you should make a real effort not to miss it.
What the Quran and Sunnah say
Allah links the end of Ramadan with celebrating His greatness: "…so that you complete the number of days and glorify Allah for having guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful" (Al-Baqarah 2:185). The Eid prayer is the main way the community does this together.
The Prophet ordered that everyone come out for the Eid prayer, even young women and women who were menstruating. Umm Atiyyah said that the menstruating women would keep away from the prayer area itself but still "witness the good and the gathering of the Muslims" (Bukhari, Muslim). This shows how much he wanted the whole community present.
In practice
- Men who are able should attend the Eid prayer at the mosque or prayer ground.
- Women are warmly encouraged to attend too; see can women attend the Eid prayer?
- Children should be brought along so they grow up loving Eid.
- If you have a real excuse, such as illness or work you cannot leave, there is no sin on you, especially according to those who say it is a sunnah.
What if I cannot attend?
If you miss it, many scholars say you can pray two rakats at home in the same way. If work is the problem, ask your employer in advance for an hour off in the morning; the prayer itself and the sermon usually take less than an hour. Eid day is known well before, so planning ahead is easier than it seems. You can check the expected date on our Ramadan dates in your country page.
Tips
- Learn how to pray the Eid prayer before the day.
- Follow the sunnahs of Eid: ghusl, good clothes and something sweet to eat before leaving.
Attending is a small effort for a prayer the Prophet never once left.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
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