Attendance at the Eid Khutbah Is Optional
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
✦ Ruling Regarding the Eid Sermon (Khuṭbah)
➤ Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Sāʾib (رضي الله عنه):
“I was present with the Prophet ﷺ on the day of Eid. After completing the prayer, he said:
*‘We are going to deliver a sermon. Whoever wishes to sit for the khutbah, let him do so; and whoever wishes to leave, may leave.’”
📚 [Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1024, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb al-Julūs lil-Khuṭbah, Abū Dāwūd: 1155, Ibn Mājah: 1290, Nasāʾī: 3/185, Ibn Khuzaymah: 1362, Bayhaqī: 3/301]
✦ Key Point
✔ The Eid sermon is not obligatory to attend.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ granted permission to those who wanted to leave after the prayer.
📝 Conclusion
The attendance at the Eid khutbah is optional, unlike the Jumuʿah sermon which is obligatory for men. This is a clear Prophetic concession allowing individuals to leave after performing the Eid prayer if they so wish.
