The Committed Believer · Eid & Special Occasions

Eid Takbeer and Taraweeh Practices

Explore rulings on rak'ahs in Ramadan nights and takbeers during Eid.

7 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What is the ruling on increasing the number of rak‘ahs during the last ten nights of Ramadan?

  • It is permissible. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden.
  • It is only allowed for imams.
  • It must replace Witr with a second Witr.

Why

Tarawih is qiyam al-layl in Ramadan, and qiyam al-layl has no fixed number of rak‘ahs that cannot be exceeded. It is permissible to increase the number of rak‘ahs during the last ten nights and divide the prayer into two parts: a brief part at the beginning of the night and a longer part at the end of the night like tahajjud. The important restriction is not to pray Witr twice in one night.

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2. How many rak‘ahs are in Eid prayer?

  • Two rak‘ahs. (correct answer)
  • One rak‘ah.
  • Three rak‘ahs.
  • Four rak‘ahs.

Why

Eid prayer consists of two complete rak‘ahs. The imam leads the people in the prayer first, then gives the khutbah afterward. The source also mentions that the Prophet ﷺ would come out to the Eid prayer-place and begin with the prayer before the khutbah.

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3. According to the stronger view cited, how many additional takbirs are said in Eid prayer?

  • Seven in the first rak‘ah and five in the second. (correct answer)
  • Four in each rak‘ah as the only correct view.
  • Three in the first rak‘ah and two in the second.
  • No additional takbirs are said after the opening takbir.

Why

Many marfu‘ hadiths indicate seven takbirs in the first rak‘ah, apart from the opening takbir, and five in the second rak‘ah, apart from the takbir of standing. The source notes that other numbers were narrated from some Companions, so this is an issue of ijtihaad and Muslims should not denounce one another over valid differences. But the reports of seven and five are described as more numerous and stronger.

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4. When does the takbir for Eid al-Fitr begin?

  • At sunset on the night before Eid, once the new month is known. (correct answer)
  • Only after the Eid prayer begins.
  • Only during the Eid khutbah.
  • Only after returning home from the prayer.

Why

The takbir for Eid al-Fitr begins when the sun sets on the night before Eid, if it is known that the new month has begun, either by completing thirty days of Ramadan or by the confirmed sighting of the new moon of Shawwal. It continues until the Eid prayer begins.

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5. Which Eid takbir wording is mentioned as permissible?

  • Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillahi’l-hamd. (correct answer)
  • Only a private du‘a with no takbir.
  • Any wording that replaces takbir with unrelated speech.
  • A wording that may only be recited after the imam finishes the khutbah.

Why

The source gives two permissible forms of Eid takbir. One says “Allahu akbar” twice before la ilaha ill-Allah, and the other says “Allahu akbar” three times before it. Both are permissible. Men raise their voices with this dhikr in places such as marketplaces, mosques, and homes, while women do not raise their voices.

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6. What is the ruling on playing recordings of Eid takbir?

  • It is permissible if it reminds people without disturbing them or being excessive. (correct answer)
  • It is obligatory for every shop and mosque.
  • It is forbidden in every case because recordings did not exist before.
  • It is allowed only if people repeat it together in unison.

Why

Playing recorded takbir may remind the heedless and help people remember the Sunnah, so it is allowed in that sense. But it should not annoy people, disturb them with loud volume, or be done excessively. The source also warns that when teaching or encouraging takbir, people should not be instructed to recite it in unison.

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7. What is the ruling on adding praise and glorification of Allah to the Eid takbir?

  • It is permissible if the added dhikr is sound. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden because only one exact wording is allowed.
  • It is obligatory for Eid takbir to be valid.
  • It is disliked even when the wording is sound.

Why

Several forms of Eid takbir were narrated from the early generations, and the Prophet ﷺ did not specify only one exact wording. Therefore, the matter is broad in scope as long as the dhikr is sound. Some scholars also mentioned adding praise, glorification, thanks to Allah, and salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, but these additions should not be treated as the only required form.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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