What is required if one misses the congregational Eid prayer?
Chapter on the Two Eid Prayers
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
There is no obligatory makeup (qada') for the missed Eid prayer because it is *fard kifayah* (a communal obligation) satisfied by those who perform it. If someone wishes to make it up, they have a choice. They may pray four rak'ahs, either with one or two *taslims* (salutations). This view is narrated from Ibn Mas'ud and is the opinion of Al-Thawri. The basis for four rak'ahs is supported by the report concerning Ali, who instructed a man leading the weak to pray four rak'ahs without a sermon, and because it is a makeup of the Eid prayer, it should be four like Jumu'ah prayer.
Supporting text
Alternatively, one may pray two rak'ahs, treating it as a voluntary prayer, which is the opinion of Al-Awza'i. Another option is to pray it in the manner of the Eid prayer with the *takbir* (exaggeration), a view narrated from Ahmad and favored by Al-Juzjani, which is also the position of Al-Nakh'i, Malik, Al-Shafi'i, Abu Thawr, and Ibn al-Mundhir, based on the report of Anas leading his household in two rak'ahs with *takbir* when he missed the Eid prayer in Basra. Whether prayed alone or in congregation, one who misses it has the option of praying four or two, or praying it according to the Eid form with *takbir*.