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Sunnah Acts on Eid Al-adha

Sunnah Acts on Eid Al-adha — sourced from authentic Quran and hadith references.

The sunnah acts on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā are a set of beloved practices from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that enhance the celebration, draw the believer closer to Allah, and align personal worship with the revealed way (sunnah). These acts include waking early, performing ghusl (ritual bath), wearing one’s best clothes, reciting the takbīr from Fajr on the Day of ʿArafah until after ʿAṣr on the 13th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, walking to the prayer ground, praying the ʿĪd prayer, listening to the sermon, offering the sacrifice (udḥiyyah), and exchanging greetings of goodwill.

The Meaning of Sunnah and Its Importance in ʿĪd

The word sunnah in Islamic terminology refers to the way, practice, and legal path of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah instructs the believers to follow the sunnah as part of complete submission:

وَاذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

"And remember (O you the members of the Prophet’s family, the Graces of your Lord), that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allâh and Al-Hikmah (i.e. Prophet’s Sunnah—legal ways, so give your thanks to Allâh and glorify His Praises for this Qur’ân and the Sunnah)."

The sunnah is not optional innovation; it is the divinely preserved model of worship. Applying it during ʿĪd transforms personal festivities into acts of devotion.

The Ruling on the ʿĪd Prayer

The ʿĪd prayer on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā is a confirmed sunnah (mu’akkadah). It may be performed individually or in congregation, but the congregation is recommended. The prayer consists of two rakʿahs with extra takbīrs. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The prayer on the day of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr and the day of ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā is two rakʿahs, with the recitation open.”

The time for the ʿĪd prayer begins after sunrise and lasts until the sun reaches its zenith (approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise until just before Dhuhr). It is preferred to pray in an open field (muṣallā) unless there is hardship. The Prophet ﷺ always prayed the two ʿĪds in the prayer ground outside the city.

Recommended Acts Before and During the Prayer

Several sunnah acts precede the ʿĪd prayer on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā:

1. Waking early and making ghusl: The companions washed and adorned themselves for ʿĪd. It is reported that Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) would perform ghusl on the morning of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr.

2. Wearing the best clothes and using perfume: The Prophet ﷺ had a special garment (burnus) he wore on ʿĪd. While the garment itself is not obligatory, wearing one’s best attire is a sunnah.

3. Reciting the takbīr from after Fajr on the Day of ʿArafah (9th of Dhul-Ḥijjah) until after ʿAṣr on the 13th of Dhul-Ḥijjah. The wording is: “Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi al-ḥamd.” This is done aloud when walking to the prayer ground.

4. Not eating before the prayer (on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā): The Prophet ﷺ would not eat on the day of ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā until he had prayed and then eaten from his sacrifice.

5. Going to the prayer ground by one route and returning by another: This was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.

6. Praying two rakʿahs with extra takbīrs: In the first rakʿah, seven takbīrs (including the opening takbīr); in the second, five takbīrs (excluding the standing takbīr). After the prayer, the imam delivers a sermon (khuṭbah). The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The prayer (is offered) before the sermon on the two ʿĪds.”

7. Listening to the sermon: It is sunnah to remain and benefit from the exhortation.

The Sacrifice (Udḥiyyah) and Its Etiquette

The sacrifice of an animal on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā is a highly confirmed sunnah for those who can afford it. The Prophet ﷺ personally sacrificed two horned rams. He said:

“Whoever has the capacity to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, let him not approach our place of prayer.”

The recommended time for slaughtering is after the ʿĪd prayer and sermon. The animal should be a sheep (one year old or older), goat (one year or older), cow (two years or older), or camel (five years or older). The one who slaughters should say, “Bismillāh, Allāhu akbar.” It is sunnah to eat from the sacrifice, give gifts, and give charity to the poor.

Exchanging Greetings and Expressing Joy

It is a beautiful sunnah to greet fellow Muslims with “Taqabbalallāhu minnā wa minkum” (May Allah accept from us and from you). The Prophet’s companions would say this to one another on ʿĪd.

Social visits, gifts, and family gatherings are all part of the spirit of ʿĪd, as long as they remain within Islamic boundaries.

Following the Sunnah Brings Barakah

When a Muslim adheres to the sunnah in these acts, they are not merely repeating ritual motions; they are embodying the guidance that Allah preserved through His Prophet ﷺ. Allah described the sunnah as an unchangeable, successful path:

سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا

“(This was Our) Sunnah (rule or way) with the Messengers We sent before you (O Muhammad ﷺ), and you will not find any alteration in Our Sunnah (rule or way).”

Therefore, every act of worship performed in accordance with the sunnah on ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā becomes a source of light, acceptance, and increased faith.

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