Eid Prayer At A Masjid & Behind A Shafi`i

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Can one pray the Eid prayer at a Masjid? Also, how does a Hanafi pray Eid prayer behind a Shafi`i since they do their takbirat differently?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah

It is in itself valid to perform the Eid prayer at the mosque, but in itself superior to perform it in a large open place where people from around town can all congregate together–as this was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

As for praying behind a Shafi`i, then:

1. In the Hanafi school, there are 3 extra takbirs in each rakat: three are performed before the recitation begins in the first rakat, and three are performed after the recitation in the second rakat.
2. If the imam does the takbirs differently, one follows him, up to 17 takbirs, as it is a matter where scholars can differ, and the difference relates to optimality. [Durr al-Mukhtar and Radd al-Muhtar]

Wasalam
Faraz Rabbani