❖ Sharʿi Ruling and Evidence on Performing Eid Prayer in the Mosque
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 453
❀ Question
Is it permissible to perform the Eid prayer inside a mosque?
(Questioner: Muḥammad Munawwar bin Zakī, Riyāḍ, Saudi Arabia)
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
It is permissible to offer the Eid prayer inside the mosque in case of necessity or valid excuse.
✔ Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
Amīr al-Muʾminīn Sayyidunā ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said:
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَخْرُجُ بِالنَّاسِ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى يُصَلِّي بِهِمْ لِأَنَّهُ أَرْفَقُ“
“O people! Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take the people to the Muṣallā (Eidgāh) and pray with them there, because it was more accommodating and easier.”
The reason for this practice was that the mosque could not accommodate all the people.
Therefore, if rain occurs or any genuine difficulty arises, then offering the Eid prayer in the mosque is permissible, as it is a more convenient option in such cases.
Reference:
Al-Sunan al-Kubrā by al-Bayhaqī, Vol. 3, p. 103 – Chain is strong (isnād qawī)
⚠ Mention of a Weak Ḥadīth
There is also a weak narration reported on this issue.
Refer to: Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth No. 1160
However, the presence or absence of this weak ḥadīth carries no weight in the ruling, as the Sharʿi verdict rests on sound evidence.
✅ Conclusion
◈ The Sunnah is to perform the Eid prayer in an open area (Muṣallā) for ease and inclusiveness.
◈ However, if necessary, such as due to weather conditions or limited space, performing the Eid prayer in the mosque is permissible.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
