Eid prayers, also known as Salat al-Eid (Arabic: صلاة العيد) and Salat al-Eidain (Arabic: صلاة العيدين), is the special prayer offered to commemorate two Islamic festivals. Both the are collectively known as Eidain (عيدين) in the Arabic language. The two Islamic festivals are:
Different scholars interpret the importance of this salat (prayer) differently. Salat al-Eid is Wajib (necessary/mandatory) according to Hanafi scholars, Sunnah al-Mu'kkadah according to Maliki and Shaf'i jurisprudence, and Fard according to Hanbali scholars. Some scholars say it is fard al-ayn and some say it is fard al-kifaya.
The time of Salat al-Eid begins when the sun reaches approximately two meters above the horizon until it reaches its meridian before Dhuhr. Adhering to the Sunnah, the time for Eid al-Fitr prayer is delayed and Eid al-Adha prayer is hastened, so as to facilitate distribution of Fitrah before the Eid al-Fitr prayer and offer sacrifice after the Eid al-Adha prayer. This has been a proved Sunnah and has been well recorded in Hadith books.