Performance of Eid Salaah.

Q. My question in regard to the open air Eid salah in Trinidad, the Maulana did 7 times takbir and then Alhumdulilah and then a surah and then did rukuh and from the second rakat when he got up he did not say alhumdulilah but started with takbir. Is it allowed? Or is he supposed to say alhumdulilah and then the takhbir? My father had doubts and would like to know if it could be done so?

A. With respect to the performance of the Eid Salaah, there are minor differences with respect to the amount of extra Takbeers and where it must be said. These differences are based on the different traditions which have been narrated from the Sahabahs (RA) and hence, we see that the great Imams of Fiqh have adopted that action which they view as the most authentic and the best. However, notwithstanding these differences with respect to the amount of Takbeers etc., all the Scholars have unanimously declared that the Salaah of Eid would be valid and sound in each case.

The manner which you have described is narrated as the Mazhab of Imam Shafi who says that in both rakaats (of the Eid Salaah), the extra Takbeers should be said before the recitation of Surah Al Fatiha. According to him, in the first rakaat, seven Takbeers (besides the Takbeer of Tahreema) should be recited, and in the second rakaat five extra Takbeers should be recited. This is attributed to Abdullah bin Abbas (RA).

According to Imam Abu Hanifa, there are six extra Takbeers in both rakaats of the Eid Salaah. Three must be said in the first rakaat after the takbeer of tahreema and before the Surah Al Fatiha, and three (of these Takbeers) must be said in the second rakaat after the completion of the recitation of the Quran and before going into ruku. This is attributed to Abdullah bin Masood (RA), Abu Moosa Ash’ari (RA), Huzaifa (RA), Abdullah bin Zubair (RA).

According to Imam Malik (RA), there are six extra Takbeers in the first Rakaat before the recitation of Surah Al Fatiha, and there are five extra takbeers in the second rakaat before reciting Sura Al Fatiha. This is attributed to the people of Madinah and that of Abdullah bin Umar (RA). This is also the opinion of Imam Ahmad bin Hambal. (Al Fiqhul Islami Wa Adilatihi Vol. 2 pg. 1386; Nasbur Ra’yah Vol. 2 pg, 221-226)

Therefore, based on the fact that each of the above action (though slightly different from the other) has been transmitted from the blessed Companions of the Prophet (SAS), each will be accepted as being valid in the performance of the Eid Salaah.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Waseem Khan