Short answer
In the Hanafi school the Eid prayer cannot be made up alone, because it is only valid in congregation. Look for a later Eid congregation at another masjid. If there is none, you may pray four rakats of nafl in the morning, like duha, and ask Allah's forgiveness. The Shafi'i school allows you to pray it alone.
The Eid prayer is wajib on those on whom Jummah is fard, and it shares Jummah's conditions, including congregation. Someone who misses it with the imam has no individual make-up. If the whole community missed it for a valid reason, Eid al-Fitr can be prayed on the second day and Eid al-Adha up to the third day.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The Eid prayer is sunnah and can be prayed alone, at home or anywhere, and someone who misses it may make it up.
- Maliki
- The Eid prayer is a confirmed sunnah, and someone who misses it with the imam is recommended to pray it on his own.
- Hanbali
- Someone who misses it may make it up, and many Hanbali scholars say it is prayed in its own form with the takbirs.
Explanation
In the Hanafi school the Eid prayer is a congregational prayer, like Jummah. Its conditions include a gathering led by an imam in a place open to the public, so a person who arrives after the imam's salam cannot simply pray it alone at home. That is why Hanafi scholars say there is no individual qada (make-up) for it.
What you can do:
- Find another congregation. In most cities several masjids and parks hold Eid prayers at different times. Joining a later one is the best option.
- Pray four rakats of nafl. If no congregation remains, it is good to pray four rakats in the morning, after the sun has risen and before zawal, as a voluntary prayer. This is reported from Ibn Mas'ud, and it is not the Eid prayer itself.
- Repent if you were at fault. Missing a wajib prayer through laziness is a sin; seek Allah's forgiveness.
If the whole community missed it: when news of the moon came too late, or bad weather prevented the gathering, the Prophet ﷺ told the people to go out to their prayer place the next day. For Eid al-Fitr the Hanafi school allows the second day only; for Eid al-Adha the prayer can be held on the 11th or 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
Women in the Hanafi school are not required to attend, so a woman who stays home has not missed a duty. During lockdowns some scholars allowed small Eid congregations in homes; ask your local scholars about such cases. For the method, see how to pray Eid salah, and for the status of the prayer, is Eid prayer wajib.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 1157
Grading to be checked... فأمرهم أن يفطروا وإذا أصبحوا أن يغدوا إلى مصلاهم ...
"Riders came testifying that they had seen the new moon the day before, so he told the people to break their fast and, when morning came, to go out to their prayer place."
A community that missed the Eid prayer for a valid reason prays it the next day, together.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the two Eid prayers. Whoever misses the Eid prayer with the imam does not make it up; the community may pray it on the next day for an excuse.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the two Eids. It is recommended for one who missed it to pray four rakats like duha.
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.