We have two main celebrations in Islam:
Eid ul-Fitr is on 1st of Shawwaal, where we celebrate the completion of Ramadan.
Eid ul-Ad’haa is on 10th of Dhil-Hijjah, where we celebrate the completion of Hajj.
On both of these days, we pray the special Eid prayer as a form of gratitude to Allah.
Eid prayer consist of two rakaat. According to Ḥanafī school, the prayer is performed in congregation at a mosque or community center, and it is wajib (obligatory) for men to attend. The prayer is offered after after the sun has fully risen, from 30 minutes to a few hours after the sunrise. Usually mosques announce the exact time in advance.
Eid prayer is prayed in a similar manner to Friday prayer, but it has six additional takbeers. Three takbeers are said in the 1st rak'ah after dua thanaa', and another three are in the 2nd rak'ah before the ruku'. Usually the imam will explain it, before commencing the prayer.
A more detailed description is as follows:
1. Make intention to pray two rakaats of Eid prayer.
2. Start the prayer following the imam as usual with 'Allahu akbar' (takbeer-e-tahreemah).
3. Recite dua thanaa’, and then repeat takbeer 'Allahu Akbar' three more times together with the imam. The imam should make a short pause in-between each takbeer.
When saying the additional takbeers, raise the hands to the ears just as for the takbeer-e-tahreemah.
Rest your hands at your sides after the first two additional takbeer.
After the third takbeer, tie your hands on your stomach as usual.
4. Thereafter, follow the imam as usual, while he says the ta’awwudh and bismillah, then recites Surah Faatihah and another Surah, then proceeds to do the ruku, sajdahs and stands up for the second rak'ah.
5. In the second rakaat, the imam will recite Surah Faatihah and another Surah.
6. Then, the imam will make three more additional takbeers, while we repeat after him. This time, after the third takbeer we do not tie the hands, but leave them at the sides.
7. We then follow the imam as usual, as he goes into ruku with a takbeer, and completes the prayer in the standard manner.
Hanafi school says that it is wajib for men to attend the congregation. If one is unable to attend or misses it, there is no actual replacement. However, one could perform a nafl prayer at home, e.g. two rakaat of ad-Duha to show gratitude to Allah. The nafl prayer will not have additional takbeers, and will count as a normal nafl (superagatory) prayer.
The Prophet (blessings upon him) said about the day of Eid, “Every nation has its day of celebration, and this is our day of celebration.” (al-Bukhārī)
Therefore we honor the Eid days by taking a bath, wearing one’s best clothing, applying fragrances, maintaining family ties, and, importantly, making the Eids memorable for children by giving gifts, cheering, and engaging in good fun activities.