◈ Ruling on Offering Eid Prayers Inside the Mosque ◈
Excerpt from Ahkam al-Masajid by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar
Within the discussion of mosque etiquettes and rulings, many matters have been clarified—some are prohibited inside the mosque, while others, although seemingly discouraged, are in fact permissible under certain conditions. Furthermore, some actions are allowed only when necessity demands, and Eid prayers inside the mosque fall into this category.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 1/2/335]
It is preferable to perform Eid prayers outside the city, in a designated open space known as the Eidgah, rather than inside the mosque. This is based on a consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ as documented in classical sources.
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله in his book “al-Umm”, as quoted by Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله in Fath al-Bari, states:
“It has reached us that the Prophet ﷺ always went out to the Eidgah in Madinah to perform the Eid prayer.”
According to Akhbar al-Madinah by ‘Umar ibn Shabbah, the Eidgah was approximately one thousand hand-spans or cubits away from Masjid Nabawi.
[Fath al-Bari: 2/449]
This was the consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ, the rightly-guided Caliphs, and the general population of most cities—except in the case of a valid excuse. While offering Eid prayers in the mosque is permissible, scholars differ on what is more virtuous: the mosque or the open Eidgah.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/4/163 – I‘lam al-Masajid, p. 385]
In cases of necessity, such as rain or the likelihood of bad weather, it is permissible to offer Eid prayers inside a large mosque. There is a narration reported by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه in Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, and al-Mustadrak al-Hakim:
إنه أصابهم مطر في يوم العيد، فصلى بهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صلاة العيد في المسجد
"It once rained on the day of Eid, so the Prophet ﷺ led them in the Eid prayer inside the mosque."
However, this Hadith is weak:
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/4/162–163, Riyadh Edition]
[Talkhis al-Habir: 2/1/83]
Hence, this narration cannot be used as a firm proof. However, the general principle in Islamic jurisprudence allows for relaxations in rulings under exceptional circumstances, such as inclement weather.
The practice of the people of Makkah—praying Eid inside Masjid al-Haram—has been cited in support of offering Eid prayer in mosques. However, this reasoning is considered weak by scholars. The rationale includes:
True virtue and superiority can only be established by the consistent Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, not by exceptions or constraints.
Even Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله acknowledged in al-Umm that despite the superiority of Masjid Nabawi, the Prophet ﷺ always performed Eid prayers outside, affirming that the Eidgah is superior.
Excerpt from Ahkam al-Masajid by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar❖ Contextual Understanding of Mosque Etiquettes and Eid Prayers
Within the discussion of mosque etiquettes and rulings, many matters have been clarified—some are prohibited inside the mosque, while others, although seemingly discouraged, are in fact permissible under certain conditions. Furthermore, some actions are allowed only when necessity demands, and Eid prayers inside the mosque fall into this category.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 1/2/335]
❖ The Preferred Location for Eid Prayers: Open Ground (Eidgah)
It is preferable to perform Eid prayers outside the city, in a designated open space known as the Eidgah, rather than inside the mosque. This is based on a consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ as documented in classical sources.
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله in his book “al-Umm”, as quoted by Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله in Fath al-Bari, states:
“It has reached us that the Prophet ﷺ always went out to the Eidgah in Madinah to perform the Eid prayer.”
According to Akhbar al-Madinah by ‘Umar ibn Shabbah, the Eidgah was approximately one thousand hand-spans or cubits away from Masjid Nabawi.
[Fath al-Bari: 2/449]
This was the consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ, the rightly-guided Caliphs, and the general population of most cities—except in the case of a valid excuse. While offering Eid prayers in the mosque is permissible, scholars differ on what is more virtuous: the mosque or the open Eidgah.
❖ Scholarly Opinions on the Preferred Location
- Imam Malik رحمه الله held that the Eidgah is superior, citing the Prophet's ﷺ consistent choice of the Eidgah despite the excellence of Masjid Nabawi.
- Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله considered the mosque more virtuous.
- Imam al-Shawkani and al-Zarkashi leaned toward the superiority of the Eidgah.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/4/163 – I‘lam al-Masajid, p. 385]
❖ Performing Eid Prayer in the Mosque Due to a Valid Excuse
In cases of necessity, such as rain or the likelihood of bad weather, it is permissible to offer Eid prayers inside a large mosque. There is a narration reported by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه in Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, and al-Mustadrak al-Hakim:
إنه أصابهم مطر في يوم العيد، فصلى بهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صلاة العيد في المسجد
"It once rained on the day of Eid, so the Prophet ﷺ led them in the Eid prayer inside the mosque."
However, this Hadith is weak:
- Imam Abu Dawood and al-Mundhiri remained silent about its grading—indicating a level of cautious acceptance.
- Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله, in Talkhis al-Habir, graded its chain as weak.
- Imam al-Shawkani, in Nayl al-Awtar, mentions that ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd al-A‘la al-Farawi al-Madani—one of the narrators—is majhool (unknown).
- Al-Dhahabi, in Mizan al-I‘tidal, noted: "He is nearly unknown."
- Ibn al-Qattan also stated that this narrator appears nowhere else in the books of narrators or Hadith, further weakening the chain.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/4/162–163, Riyadh Edition]
[Talkhis al-Habir: 2/1/83]
Hence, this narration cannot be used as a firm proof. However, the general principle in Islamic jurisprudence allows for relaxations in rulings under exceptional circumstances, such as inclement weather.
❖ The Case of the People of Makkah
The practice of the people of Makkah—praying Eid inside Masjid al-Haram—has been cited in support of offering Eid prayer in mosques. However, this reasoning is considered weak by scholars. The rationale includes:
- Makkah is surrounded by mountains, making large open areas scarce.
- Masjid al-Haram is spacious and sufficient for the entire population.
- Therefore, necessity, not preference, dictates their practice.
True virtue and superiority can only be established by the consistent Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, not by exceptions or constraints.
Even Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله acknowledged in al-Umm that despite the superiority of Masjid Nabawi, the Prophet ﷺ always performed Eid prayers outside, affirming that the Eidgah is superior.
Conclusion:
- Offering Eid prayers in a mosque is permissible.
- However, the Sunnah and preferred practice is to offer it in an open area (Eidgah).
- Praying inside the mosque should be reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as weather conditions.
- The Prophet ﷺ was always divinely guided to choose the more virtuous act, and his consistent practice in this regard sets the standard of preference.
