Do the Two Eids Have Two Sermons Like Jumuʿah? A Complete Sharʿī Analysis
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 250
Question:
Are the Eid sermons (for both Eids) also two, like Jumuʿah? Meaning, should the khatīb first deliver one sermon standing, then sit briefly, and then deliver a second sermon? Or is there only one sermon without a pause? Furthermore, what is the Sharʿī status of those scholars who draw an analogy between the Eid sermon and the Friday sermon?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
① Evidence for a Single Eid Sermon
The authentic Ahadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ establish the legitimacy of one sermon for Eid.
② No Proof of Two Eid Sermons
There is no authentic proof that the Prophet ﷺ ever delivered two sermons on the day of Eid.
- Any narration that mentions two sermons for Eid does not reach the level of reliability and cannot be used as evidence.
③ Invalidity of Analogy with Jumuʿah
Drawing an analogy between the Eid sermon and the Friday sermon—making them equal in number—is not justified.
- This qiyās has no valid Sharʿī basis, because the rulings of Eid and Jumuʿah are distinct.
- The practice of Jumuʿah (two sermons) has clear evidence, while Eid only has evidence for a single sermon.
✅ Conclusion:
- The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is one sermon for Eid.
- The practice of giving two sermons on Eid, by analogy with Jumuʿah, has no authentic Sharʿī evidence.
- Therefore, adopting one sermon without pause is the correct practice.
