Issues of the Two Eids
Question:
When and where was the Eid prayer legislated?
Answer:
It is not known on which date the Eid prayer was legislated, but it is certain that the Eid prayer was legislated in Madinah.
❀ Allama Abu Abdullah Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him (671 AH), says:
لَيْسَ بِمَكَّةَ صَلَاةُ عِيدٍ بِإِجْمَاعٍ.
“There was no Eid prayer in Makkah; there is consensus on this.”
Question:
Is there any specific worship prescribed for the day or night of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Answer:
Nothing has been proven about the virtue of the nights of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; virtue is only that which is established by the Quran and Hadith. Similarly, worship during these nights is not proven.
❀ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him (597 AH), says:
قَدْ رُوِيَتْ صَلَاةٌ لِلَيْلَةِ وَلِيَوْمِ الْعِيدِ لَيْسَ فِيهَا شَيْءٌ يَثْبُتُ وَلَا يَصِحُّ، فَلِهٰذَا تَنَكَّبْنَا ذِكْرَهَا.
“A special prayer for the night and day of Eid has been mentioned, but nothing is proven regarding it, so we have refrained from mentioning it.”
❀ He also says:
أَمَّا الصَّلَوَاتُ الَّتِي تَذْكُرُهَا الْقُصَّاصُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ لَيْلَةِ الْفِطْرِ، وَلَيْلَةِ النَّحْرِ، وَلَيْلَةِ الرَّغَائِبِ، وَلَيْلَةِ نِصْفِ شَعْبَانَ، فَلَا صِحَّةَ لَهَا.
“The prayers of the night of Eid al-Fitr, the night of Eid al-Adha, the night of Raghaib, and the night of mid-Sha’ban, which narrators mention, are not proven.”
Question:
Is it Sunnah to eat something before the Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha prayer?
Answer:
The Sunnah is that before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, one should eat something, and before the Eid al-Adha prayer, one should not eat anything. After the prayer, the sacrifice should be made and its meat eaten; this is recommended. If someone eats or drinks something before the Eid al-Adha prayer, there is no harm.
❀ Sayyiduna Buraydah Aslami رضي الله عنه narrates:
إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ لَا يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتّٰى يَطْعَمَ وَلَا يَأْكُلُ يَوْمَ الْأَضْحٰى حَتّٰى يَرْجِعَ فَيَأْكُلَ مِنْ كَبِدِ أُضْحِيَّتِهٖ.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to go out for the Eid al-Fitr prayer after eating something, and for Eid al-Adha he would go out without eating, then return and eat the liver of the sacrifice.”
This hadith has been declared “Sahih” by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (1426), Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (2812), and “Sahih al-Isnad” by Imam Hakim رحمه الله (294/1). Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله also said it is “Sahih.”
❀ Hafiz Ibn Qattan al-Fasi رحمه الله says:
عِنْدِي أَنَّهٗ صَحِيحٌ.
“In my view, this hadith is authentic.”
❀ Imam Hakim رحمه الله says:
هٰذِهٖ سُنَّةٌ عَزِيزَةٌ مِنْ طَرِيقِ الرِّوَايَةِ مُسْتَفِيضَةٌ فِي بِلَادِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.
“This Sunnah is dear in terms of narration and is common in Muslim lands in terms of practice.”
Question:
Before Eid, Takbeers are recited alternately on the speaker, and in some places, Takbeers are recited collectively. Is it correct to do so?
Answer:
Correct.
❀ About Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him:
كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي قُبَّتِهٖ بِمِنًى، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ السُّوقِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ حَتّٰى تَرْتَجَّ مِنًى تَكْبِيرًا وَاحِدًا.
“He, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say Takbeers loudly in his tent in Mina so that those present in the mosque would hear his Takbeer and start saying Takbeers as well, then the people in the market would hear and also start saying Takbeers, thus Mina would resonate with Takbeer all at once.”
❀ About Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them:
كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ بِمِنًى تِلْكَ الْأَيَّامَ خَلْفَ الصَّلَوَاتِ، وَعَلٰى فِرَاشِهٖ، وَفِي فُسْطَاطِهٖ، وَفِي مَمْشَائِهٖ تِلْكَ الْأَيَّامَ جَمِيعًا.
“They, may Allah be pleased with both of them, used to say Takbeers during those days (the days of Tashreeq) inside Mina after the obligatory prayers, whether on the bed, in the tent, or while walking.”
❀ Mujahid bin Jabr, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
كَانَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ وَابْنُ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا يَخْرُجَانِ أَيَّامَ الْعَشْرِ إِلَى السُّوقِ، فَيُكَبِّرَانِ، فَيُكَبِّرُ النَّاسُ مَعَهُمَا، لَا يَأْتِيَانِ السُّوقَ إِلَّا لِذٰلِكَ.
“Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, used to go out to the market during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeers, and people would also say Takbeers along with them. They used to go to the market solely for this purpose.”
Question:
If the Imam forgets the extra Takbeers in the Eid prayer, what should he do?
Answer:
Perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sajdat al-Sahw). There is no need to repeat the prayer.
Question:
What is the time for Eid prayer?
Answer:
The time for Eid prayer is from sunrise until the zenith (midday), however, it should be performed at the earliest time. Unnecessary delay is not correct.
❀ Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said in the sermon:
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ مِنْ يَوْمِنَا هٰذَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ، ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ، فَنَنْحَرَ فَمَنْ فَعَلَ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا.
“We will be the first to perform the prayer (Eid) on this day, then we will return and slaughter the sacrifice. Whoever does this has followed our Sunnah.”
From the general meaning of this hadith, it is established that the Eid prayer should be performed early and should not be delayed without reason.
❀ Yazid bin Khumayr Rahbi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates:
خَرَجَ عَبْدُ اللّٰهِ بْنُ بُسْرٍ، صَاحِبُ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَعَ النَّاسِ فِي يَوْمِ عِيدِ فِطْرٍ، أَوْ أَضْحٰى، فَأَنْكَرَ إِبْطَاءَ الْإِمَامِ، فَقَالَ: إِنَّا كُنَّا قَدْ فَرَغْنَا سَاعَتَنَا هٰذِهٖ، وَذٰلِكَ حِينَ التَّسْبِيحِ.
“The Companion of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Basar رضي الله عنه, along with people, went out for the Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha prayer. He رضي الله عنه expressed disapproval of the Imam’s delay and said: At that time, we would have already finished the Eid prayer. The Eid prayer was performed at the time of mid-morning (after sunrise).”
Imam Hakim رحمه الله (1092) declared this hadith “Sahih” on the condition of Imam Bukhari رحمه الله, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with this.
❀ Nafi’ رحمه الله narrates:
كَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يُصَلِّي الصُّبْحَ فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ يَغْدُو كَمَا هُوَ إِلَى الْمُصَلّٰى.
“Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما would perform the Fajr prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque, then proceed to the Eidgah in the same state.”
❀ Yazid bin Abi Ubaid Aslami, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْأَكْوَعِ فِي مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَاةَ الصُّبْحِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهٗ حَتّٰى أَتَيْنَا الْمُصَلّٰى فَجَلَسَ وَجَلَسْتُ حَتّٰى جَاءَ الْإِمَامُ.
“I prayed Fajr prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque with Sayyiduna Salmah bin Aku’ رضي الله عنه, then he رضي الله عنه went out (for Eid prayer), I accompanied him until we reached the Eidgah, he رضي الله عنه sat down, I also sat down, until the Imam (came to lead the Eid prayer).”
❀ Regarding Abdul Rahman bin Harmalah, may Allah have mercy on him:
إِنَّهٗ كَانَ يَنْصَرِفُ مَعَ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيِّبِ مِنَ الصُّبْحِ حِينَ يُسَلِّمُ الْإِمَامُ فِي يَوْمِ عِيدٍ، حَتّٰى يَأْتِيَ الْمُصَلّٰى عِنْدَ دَارِ كَثِيرِ بْنِ الصَّلْتِ، فَيَجْلِسُ عِنْدَ الْمِصْرَاعَيْنِ.
“He, may Allah have mercy on him, used to go out with Saeed bin Musayyib, may Allah have mercy on him, on the day of Eid after finishing the Fajr prayer, until they reached the Eidgah near the house of Kathir bin Salat, may Allah have mercy on him, and sat near the door’s threshold.”
Question:
What is the ruling on Eid prayers in the village?
Answer:
Performing Eid prayers in the village without any dislike is permissible.
Note:
❀ Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه says:
لَا تَشْرِيقَ وَلَا جُمُعَةَ إِلَّا فِي مِصْرٍ جَامِعٍ.
“Eid prayer and Friday prayer are obligatory only in those settlements where the inhabitants reside permanently.”
The statement of Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه and other scholars does not mean that Friday or Eid prayers cannot be performed in settlements, rather the scholars have explained two meanings of this;
① Hafiz Zahbi رحمه الله (748 AH) says:
اَلْأَشْبَهُ بِأَقَاوِيلِ السَّلَفِ وَأَفْعَالِهِمْ فِي إِقَامَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي الْقُرَى الَّتِي أَهْلُهَا أَهْلُ قَرَارٍ لَيْسُوا بِأَهْلِ عُمُودٍ يَتَنَقَّلُونَ إِنَّ ذٰلِكَ مُرَادُ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
“From the sayings and actions of the Salaf, it is understood correctly that Friday prayer will be established in those settlements where people reside, and not in those where people are travelers and intend to move away from there. This is the meaning intended by Ali رضي الله عنه.”
② Allama Ibn Rajab رحمه الله (795 AH) says:
إِنَّهٗ أَرَادَ بِذٰلِكَ الْقُرَى الَّتِي فِيهَا وَالٍ مِّنْ جِهَةِ الْإِمَامِ، فَيَكُونُ مُرَادُهٗ أَنَّهٗ لَا جُمُعَةَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ الْإِمَامِ فِي مَكَانٍ لَّهٗ فِيهِ نَائِبٌ يُقِيمُ الْجُمُعَةَ بِإِذْنِهٖ، وَبِذٰلِكَ فَسَّرَهٗ أَحْمَدُ فِي رِوَايَةٍ عَنْهُ.
“This refers to those settlements where there is a wali (guardian or authority) appointed by the Imam. Their meaning is that Friday prayer is only held with the permission of the Imam. In such a place where there is a deputy of the Imam, he will lead the Friday prayer with the Imam’s permission. Imam Ahmad has given this same interpretation.”
Question:
The sky was cloudy, the moon was not visible, the next day Eid was not observed, at night it was found that the moon belongs to the next day, now will the Eid prayer be held or not?
Answer:
Yes, definitely.
Question:
What is the ruling on the Eid prayers?
Answer:
The Eid prayers are obligatory. The obligation of the five daily prayers means that the prayers that are obligatory every day are five; this does not mean that no other prayer can be obligatory.
The first evidence for the obligation of the two Eid prayers is that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Companions, and the Followers never abandoned the Eid prayer.
The second evidence is that if Friday and Eid fall on the same day, the Eid prayer is performed and Friday prayer is optional.
One obligatory act can be fulfilled by another obligatory act.
The third evidence is that making up the Eid prayer is necessary.
❀ Abu Umair bin Anas, may Allah have mercy on him, whose uncle was a Companion of the Prophet, narrates:
“We did not sight the Shawwal moon, so we fasted in the morning. Then in the afternoon, a caravan arrived and they came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and testified that they had seen the moon the previous day. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered them to break their fast that day and to go to the Eid prayer ground the next day.”
Imam Darqutni, may Allah have mercy on him,
classified its chain as “Hasan,” Imam Ibn al-Jarood
and Imam Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy on him,
declared it “Sahih.”
This hadith was classified as “Sahih” by Allama Ibn Hazm, may Allah have mercy on him,
, Hafiz Khattabi, may Allah have mercy on him,
, Hafiz Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him,
, and Hafiz Ibn Malqan, may Allah have mercy on him,
, and Hafiz Ibn Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him,
called it “Thabit.”
Question:
What is the ruling on leading the prayer for someone who goes to the Eid prayers with music playing?
Answer:
It is not permissible.
Question:
If the Imam forgets the extra Takbirs in the Eid prayer, what should he do?
Answer:
He should perform Sajdah Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness). There is no need to repeat the prayer.
Question:
If the Imam forgets or says fewer Takbirs in the Eid prayers, what is the ruling?
Answer:
He should perform Sajdah Sahw.
Question:
Should the Takbirs of the two Eids be pronounced aloud?
Answer:
Yes.
❀ This is regarding Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي قُبَّتِهٖ بِمِنًى، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ السُّوقِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ حَتّٰى تَرْتَجَّ مِنًى تَكْبِيرًا وَاحِدًا.
“He (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say the Takbirs aloud in his tent in Mina so that those present in the mosque would hear his Takbirs and start saying Takbirs themselves, and the people in the market would hear and also start saying Takbirs, thus Mina would echo with Takbirs all at once.”
Question:
Can Takbirs be pronounced aloud in the Eidgah?
Answer:
They can be pronounced aloud.
Question:
How is it to say Takbirs while going out for the Eid prayer?
Answer:
It is recommended to recite Takbeerat while going out for Eid prayers on the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This is established from the practice of the Companions and the Followers. When going out for Eid prayer, Takbeerat should be recited aloud.
❀ Nafi’ (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
إِنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَانَ يَغْدُو إِلَى الْعِيدِ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَكَانَ يَرْفَعُ صَوْتَهٗ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ حَتّٰى يَأْتِيَ الْمُصَلّٰى، وَيُكَبِّرُ حَتّٰى يَأْتِيَ الْإِمَامُ.
“Our master Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to leave the mosque for Eid prayer after Fajr prayer, reciting Takbeerat aloud on the way until reaching the Eidgah, then he would continue reciting Takbeerat while sitting there until the Imam arrived.”
It is correct that this narration is Mauquf (stopped at the Companion), and it is a mistake to present it as Marfoo’ (attributed to the Prophet).
❀ Regarding Urwah ibn Zubair (may Allah have mercy on him):
كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ إِذَا خَرَجَ فِي الْفِطْرِ وَالْأَضْحٰى.
“He (may Allah have mercy on him) used to recite Takbeerat aloud when going out for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers.”
❀ Zahri (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
كَانَ النَّاسُ يُكَبِّرُونَ مِنْ حِينِ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنْ بُيُوتِهِمْ حَتّٰى يَأْتُوا الْمُصَلّٰى، حَتّٰى يَخْرُجَ الْإِمَامُ، فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ سَكَتُوا، فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ كَبَّرُوا.
“When people (the Companions and Followers) would leave their homes to perform Eid prayer, they would recite Takbeerat until they reached the Eidgah, until the Imam arrived. When the Imam came, they would become silent, then when the Imam started reciting Takbeerat, the people would also begin to recite.”
Question:
Can a menstruating woman say the Takbeerat of the two Eids?
Answer:
The Takbeerat of the two Eids are forms of remembrance. A menstruating woman can perform all remembrances except reciting the Holy Quran.
❀ Hafiz Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him (676 AH), states:
“The consensus of the Muslims is that it is permissible for a person in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) and a menstruating woman to say SubhanAllah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah, send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and perform other remembrances besides Quranic recitation. Along with consensus, the evidences for this are well-known in authentic hadiths.”
❀ Imam Ibn Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him (319 AH), states:
قَدْ أَجْمَعَ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ عَلٰى أَنَّ لَهُمَا أَنْ يَذْكُرَا اللّٰهَ وَيُسَبِّحَاهُ.
“The consensus of the scholars is that a menstruating woman and a person in a state of janabah can remember and glorify Allah.”
It is established that a person in a state of janabah, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding can say the Takbeerat of the two Eids; being in a state of wudu is not a condition for remembrance. Some people unnecessarily forbid the remembrance of Allah.
Question:
Can the Eid sermon begin with the Takbeerat of the two Eids?
Answer:
Yes, it can.
Question:
What is the ruling for someone who vowed to fast on the day of Eid al-Fitr?
Answer:
Fasting on the day of Eid al-Fitr is prohibited, and making a vow involving a prohibited act is also forbidden. Therefore, whoever makes a vow to fast on the day of Eid al-Fitr should break the vow and pay the expiation instead.
Question:
If the Imam forgets or says fewer Takbeers during the Eid prayers, what is the ruling?
Answer:
He should perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sajdah Sahw).
Question:
Can a woman lead women in the Eid prayers?
Answer:
No, she cannot. Only a male Imam can lead the congregations of Eid and Friday prayers. Women will follow the male Imam in these prayers.
Question:
Is Sajdah Sahw performed in Friday and Eid prayers or not?
Answer:
In every prayer that includes prostration, Sajdah Sahw is performed for forgetfulness.
Question:
Should the Ta’awwudh and Tasmiyah be recited aloud in the Friday or Eid sermons?
Answer:
Yes.
Question:
Should the Takbeers of Eid be proclaimed aloud?
Answer:
Yes.
❀ It is about Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي قُبَّتِهٖ بِمِنًى، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ، فَيَسْمَعُهٗ أَهْلُ السُّوقِ فَيُكَبِّرُونَ حَتّٰى تَرْتَجَّ مِنًى تَكْبِيرًا وَاحِدًا.
“He (may Allah be pleased with him) used to loudly say Takbeers in his tent in Mina so that those present in the mosque would hear his Takbeer and start saying Takbeers themselves, then the people in the market would hear and also start saying Takbeers, thus Mina would resonate with Takbeer all at once.”
Question:
Can Takbeers be said aloud in the Eidgah?
Answer:
Yes, they can be said.
Question:
Can the Eid sermon and prayer be led by different persons?
Answer:
It is permissible for one person to lead the Eid prayer and another to deliver the sermon, but it is better that the same person leads both the prayer and the sermon.
Question:
If on the day of Eid al-Fitr, due to rain, the prayer could not be performed, can it be offered the next day?
Answer:
If the rain is so heavy that reaching the Eidgah and mosque is not possible, then the Eid prayer can be offered the next day.
Question:
If a person offers Eid prayer in two places, is this permissible?
Answer:
It is permissible; the prayer in the first place will be obligatory, and the one in the second place will be voluntary.
Question:
How is it to announce for the Eid prayer?
Answer:
It is correct and permissible to announce where and when the Eid prayer will be held, so that people can join the congregation on time.
Question:
How is it to say the Adhan and Iqamah for the Eid prayer?
Answer:
The call to prayer (Adhan) and the commencement (Iqamah) for Eid prayer are not prescribed; there was no such practice during the Prophetic era and the best of generations, therefore, instituting Adhan and Iqamah for the two Eids is an innovation (Bid’ah). However, an announcement can be made.
❀ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْعِيدَيْنِ، غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ وَلَا مَرَّتَيْنِ، بِغَيْرِ أَذَانٍ وَلَا إِقَامَةٍ.
“I have prayed the two Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) many times, and there was neither Adhan nor Iqamah in them.”
❀ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) also narrates:
“On the day of Eid, I participated in the Eid prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he began with the prayer instead of a sermon; there was neither Adhan nor Iqamah.”
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas and Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) say:
لَمْ يَكُنْ يُؤَذَّنُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَلَا يَوْمَ الْأَضْحٰى.
“(During the Prophetic era) Adhan was not called for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha.”
❀ Hafiz Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) (795 AH) says:
اِتَّفَقَ الْعُلَمَاءُ عَلٰى أَنَّ الْأَذَانَ وَالْإِقَامَةَ لِلْعِيدَيْنِ بِدْعَةٌ وَمُحْدَثٌ.
“The consensus of the scholars is that calling Adhan and Iqamah for the two Eids is an innovation and a newly introduced practice in the religion.”
