Virtue of Walking to the Eid Prayer
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Walking to the Eid Prayer Is a Sunnah
➊ Narrated by ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه):
“It is from the Sunnah to go to the Eid (prayer) on foot.”
📚 [Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī: 437, Book of Jumuʿah: Chapter on Walking on the Day of Eid; Tirmidhī: 530; Ibn Mājah: 1296]
❗ Note: The narration contains al-Ḥārith al-Aʿwar, who has been declared a liar by consensus according to Imām Nawawī (رحمه الله). Hence, the ḥadīth is weak.
📚 [Khilāṣat al-Aḥkām: 2/822; Nayl al-Awṭār: 2/582]
➋ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
“When the call for prayer is made, then go to it while walking.”
📚 [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 946, Book of Mosques: Chapter on Recommending Tranquility While Coming to Prayer]
Though general, this narration supports the idea of approaching prayers—including Eid prayer—with dignity and calmness, preferably on foot when possible.
✿ Views of Scholars:
✔ Imām al-Tirmidhī (رحمه الله) said:
“Most of the scholars prefer that men walk to the Eid prayer and do not ride unless there is a necessity.”
📚 [Tirmidhī: 530]
✔ Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله) titled a chapter:
“Walking and Riding to the Eid”
📚 [Bukhārī: 957]
✔ Ibn Ḥajar (رحمه الله) explained:
“It seems that Bukhārī intended by this chapter heading to highlight the weakness of narrations promoting walking exclusively, implying both walking and riding are permissible.”
📚 [Fatḥ al-Bārī: 3/127–128]
✔ ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Mubārakpūrī (رحمه الله) stated:
“The preferred view is that walking is recommended, and many scholars have adopted this position.”
✔ Shawkānī (رحمه الله) included walking among the Sunnah acts of Eid.
📚 [al-Sayl al-Jarrār: 1/320]
✅ Conclusion:
Walking to the Eid prayer:
✔ Is recommended (mustaḥabb) based on the practice of many Companions and the general preference of the scholars.
✔ Riding is also permissible, especially if there is a need.
✔ There is no sin in choosing either, but walking reflects the humility and devotion encouraged in Sunnah.
