No call to prayer (adhān) or call to commence (iqāmah) is prescribed for the ʿEid prayer. Muslim relates from Jābir: “I prayed the ʿEid with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once—or perhaps twice—and he began with the prayer before the sermon, without adhān or iqāmah.”

In the first rakʿah, after the opening takbīr (takbīrat al-iḥrām) and the opening supplication but before seeking refuge and recitation, six additional takbīrs are pronounced. The opening takbīr is an indispensable pillar; the prayer does not commence without it, whereas the remaining takbīrs are recommended. One offers the opening supplication first—since it belongs at the very start of the prayer—then utters the six extra takbīrs, after which he seeks refuge (taʿawwudh) immediately following the sixth takbīr, because the taʿawwudh is linked to the recitation, and only then begins to recite.

In the second rakʿah, before the recitation, five takbīrs are said in addition to the takbīr for rising, in accordance with what Aḥmad narrates from ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb, from his father, from his grandfather: “The Prophet ﷺ pronounced twelve takbīrs on the day of ʿEid—seven in the first rakʿah and five in the last.” Its chain is sound.

Other reports mention different numbers of takbīrs. Imām Aḥmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ differed concerning the number of takbīrs, and all of it is permissible.”

He should raise his hands with each takbīr, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to raise his hands whenever he said the takbīr.