How to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayer.

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate!

Eid is a special occasions and one of the things which makes it so is the Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayer. Since this prayer comes only once a year, there is often confusion about how to perform this prayer. Here is how to do it:

In general, when praying any Salah, always follow the Imam in prayer. Do not make your movements (i.e. bowing, prostrating, etc.) before he does or different from him.

Eid prayer consists of two units (Rakat in Arabic, singular is Raka). The main difference in the way this prayer and any other prayer of two Rakat is performed is the number of Takbirs that are done.Takbirs is an the Arabic word referring to when "Allahu Akbar" is said and the hands are raised to the ears.

Step 1: Make an intention of doing two Rakat behind the Imam for Eid prayer along with six additional Takbirs.

The First Raka

Step 2: After the Imam has said "Allahu Akbar" the first time, you should raise your hands and follow. This is the first Takbir of the prayer.
Step 3: There will be 3 Takbirs before the Imam starts reciting Quran. Each time the Imam says "Allahu Akbar", you should follow by raising your hands, then putting them on your sides. After the third Takbir, the Imam will begin reciting the Quran. At that point, you should put your hands on your chest, with your right hand on top of the left.
Step 4: Listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran. The Imam will recite Surah Al Fatiha (the first Surah of the Quran) and then another Surah.
Step 5: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Ruku (the bowing position).
Step 6: Stand up straight when he says Sami Allahu liman Hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" (our Lord praise be to You) in a low voice.
Step 7: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Sujud (prostration). You will do two prostrations as in normal prayer.

The Second Raka

Step 8: The Imam will first recite from the Holy Quran (first Surah Al Fatiha and another Surah.
Step 9: After the recitation, before going into Ruku, there will be 3 Takbirs. Follow the Imam. Raise your hands after each "Allahu Akbar". After the third Takbir, go into Ruku (the bowing position).
Step 10: Stand up straight when the Imam says Sami Allah huliman Hamidah, and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" in a low voice.
Step 11: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Sujud. You will do two prostrations.
Step 12: After this, you sit for the complete Tashshahud.
Step 13: After the Imam ends the prayer by turning to his face to the right first and saying "Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah" and then to his left and doing the same, you should follow.
Step 14: Do not get up right away. The Imam will give a short Khutbah (speech). Please stay still and listen. It is recommended to do so.

Eid Mubarak! May Allah guide us all. Ameen,

My sins!?

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Today, when I came back from shopping, I started telling everything to my Mommese. I was also imitating people with whom I talked to. I was making funny faces, creating stupid sounds, and all that while, I noticed, my Mommese's eyes were locked on my face. Strange! When I gave her questioning looks, she nodded and softly said "Beta, you've got a short life". Amazed? Yes, similarly, I was amazed on hearing that, when my brother borke the silence and said, "Amma aisay nahi kehtay" (Mom, don't say like that). My Mommese again looked at me and said "That's good, don't you think so? There will be angels all around there to make her live happy. Think, as she'd grow up, she'd earn more and more sins, as we do. Heavens would be a better place for her". Then, I got up from the bed (we were sitting there), walked to the washroom for 'wudu'. Her words clouded my brain. I was wondering what made her say that. My over-joyous state or what? But, then the word 'sin' was constantly popping up in my mind.
She said, I'd earn more sins when I'll grow older. But was she right? I dont know. All I know is that my sins have outweighed the number of days that I have actually lived (or even more). And who's responsible for all these sins? Yes, me, myself, and I. Daily, intentionally, and unintentionally I commit sins, I do wrong, I don't act nicely as Islam wants me to act, I get mad at the slightest of things, when Islam has strickly forbidden us to show anger. Why, then why, am I like that?
That day, my grandmother was telling me (and my little cousins, too) about Jannah and Dozakh. She said, that those people who have done, both, bad deeds and good deeds, will be first thrown in Hell and after that they will be allowed to enter Heaven. So, I was wondering where will I go? Heaven or Hell? Good or bad? Immaculation or filth? Right or wrong? Faultless or faulty? I don't know! I really don't know.
I don't know how many more years am I gonna live. I don't know how many more sins am I gonna commit. I don't know when the Angel of Death would come and take me away. I don't know will Allah forgive me, for all the sins, for all the wrongdoings that I have done. But, yes I know He will forgive me, if I ask Him, and make myself strong enough not to commit the sins again. Let's do Tauba. Let's ask for forgiveness and peace. Let's ask Him to guide us to the Straight Path. Let's ask Him to make us clean, to make our souls and hearts clean. Let's ask Him to make our faith strong, as strong as a rock. Let's ask him for forgiveness.
Please Allah, guide us, for we are nothing infront of You. Please Allah, forgive us, for You know our intentions.
Ameen.

[Listening to "you are never alone". Thankyou Ahmed. Surely, you are never alone. Just reach into your heart and Allah is always there. You are never alone. Through sorrow and grief, through happiness and peace, you are never alone]
For flash version of this nasheed, click here.
Please remember me in your prayers. Praying for you all.
Ma'assalamah.