Short answer
In the Hanafi school there are six extra takbirs: three in the first rakah after the thana and before al-Fatiha, and three in the second rakah after the recitation and before ruku. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools say more takbirs, seven or six in the first rakah and five in the second, all before the recitation.
The six extra takbirs (takbirat al-zawa'id) are wajib. You raise your hands to the ears for each one and let them hang at your sides between them, except that after the third takbir of the first rakah you fold them. If the imam forgets them, sajdah sahw is due in principle, though many scholars advise leaving it in very large Eid gatherings to avoid confusion.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Seven extra takbirs in the first rakah after the opening takbir and five in the second, all before the recitation. They are sunnah, so missing them does not call for sajdah sahw.
- Maliki
- Six extra takbirs in the first rakah after the opening takbir and five in the second after the takbir of standing, all before the recitation.
- Hanbali
- Six extra takbirs in the first rakah after the opening takbir and five in the second, before the recitation.
Explanation
The Eid prayer is two rakats with extra takbirs (saying "Allahu akbar") that no other prayer has. In the Hanafi school they number six, three in each rakah. The Companion Abu Musa al-Ash'ari described the Prophet's ﷺ Eid takbirs as four, like the takbirs of a funeral prayer. Hanafi scholars read this as four in each rakah: the opening takbir plus three extra in the first, and three extra plus the takbir for ruku in the second. The same count is reported from Ibn Mas'ud.
- First rakah: opening takbir, the thana (opening praise), then three takbirs. Raise your hands for each and drop them to your sides, folding them after the third. The imam then recites al-Fatiha and a surah aloud.
- Second rakah: the imam recites al-Fatiha and a surah first, then three takbirs with raised hands, then a fourth takbir without raising the hands to go into ruku.
If you arrive late: if the imam is still standing in the first rakah, make the opening takbir and then the three extra takbirs yourself straight away, even if he has started reciting. If he is already in ruku and you fear missing it, go into ruku and say the extra takbirs there without raising your hands. If you missed a whole rakah, ask your imam how to complete it, since the order of takbirs and recitation in the make-up rakah has details.
Pause between the takbirs for about the time of three tasbihs, so people behind can follow. For the full method, see how to pray Eid salah, and for its status, is Eid prayer wajib.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 1153
Grading to be checked... كان يكبر أربعا تكبيره على الجنائز ...
"Abu Musa said: he used to say four takbirs, like his takbirs over funerals."
The Hanafi count of four in each rakah, including the opening and ruku takbirs, gives three extra in each.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the two Eid prayers. Three extra takbirs in each rakah; in the first before the recitation and in the second after it, following Ibn Mas'ud.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the two Eids. The late joiner says the takbirs himself, and in ruku if he fears missing it; the takbirs are wajib.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.