In the name of Allāh, ar-Raḥmān (the most merciful), ar-Raḥīm (the bestower of mercy).
The established Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, his virtuous Companions, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhum, and the centuries old practice of the Muslims is to pray ‘Eid Ṣalāh in a “muṣallah” i.e. an outdoor area, and not inside the Masjid.
The main reason and wisdom in doing so is:
- Larger number of Muslims can pray behind a single imām, as opposed to multiple jamā’āt at the same time.
- To show the greatness and strength of Islam, and for the Muslims to come together to celebrate this great day.
Narrations Regarding Praying Eid Ṣalāh Outdoors.
Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhu, said,
The Prophet ﷺ would leave early morning to the muṣallah (outdoor prayer area); a metal headed walking stick would be carried in front of him. It would then be planted in the muṣallah in front of him and he would pray towards it. [al-Bukhārī]
Abu Sa’īd al-Khudrī, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhu, said,
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to go out to the muṣallah on the day of al-Fiṭr and al-Aḍḥa. The first thing that he did was to pray, then he would move away and stand facing the people while there remained sitting in their rows, and he would advise and counsel them, and issue commands to them. If he wanted to dispatch an army, he would do so, and if he wanted to issue some commands, he would do so; then he would leave. [al-Bukhārī & Muslim]
Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhu, narrated that:
The Prophet ﷺ would offer Eid ṣalāh in an open area, in congregation with the believers, in Madinah, this was near the house of the companion Kathīr Ibn Ṣallt. [Musnad Aḥmad]
Al-Barā Ibn ‘Āzib, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhu, said,
The Prophet ﷺ went out on the day of [Eid] al-Aḍḥa to the muṣallah and prayed two raka’āt of ṣalāh. [al-Bukhārī]
As for the ḥadīth which has been narrated by Abu Hurayrah, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhu, in which he stated “we were afflicted with rain on the day of Eid, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led us in ṣalāh in the Masjid.” [Abu Dawūd]
This ḥadīth shows the permissibility to pray inside a masjid for a particular excuse such as bad weather, however the base ruling is the preference to pray outside in the muṣallah – as established above.
By organising a communal ṣalāh outdoors in a large area, for all Muslims – men, women & children, we are reviving and implementing the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, his companions and the great scholars thereafter. By doing so, we unite the hearts of the Muslims, bring them together and publicise the religion of Islām.
Women & Children should also attend the muṣallah.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would lead all the Muslims to the muṣallah for the Eid Ṣalāh, including men, women and children. He would emphasise the command for women to go to the muṣallah along with the men.
Umm ‘Aṭiyyah, raḍiaAllāhu ‘anhā said,
“The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ ordered us [women] to go out (i.e. to the muṣalla) for both al-Fiṭr and al-Aḍḥa. [He ordered] the young adolescent girls, menstruating women as well as the virgins. As for a menstruating woman, [she was ordered] to stay away from the actual ṣalāh but attend in order to witness the good and the supplications of the Muslims.”
I said,
“O Messenger of Allāh, maybe one of us does not possess a jilbāb?”
He replied,
“Let her [Muslim] sister lend her a jilbāb.” [al-Bukhārī & Muslim]
Importantly, we remind our sisters and daughters to maintain the Islamic standards of ḥijāb and clothing, and to not expose their beauty through adornments and perfume in front of non-related men,
It is also obligatory upon men to lower their gaze and avoid free mixing with women, as Allāh said:
{قُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَغُضُّوْا مِنْ اَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَهُمْۗ ذٰلِكَ اَزْكٰى لَهُمْۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِيْرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُوْنَ} النور: ٣٠
{Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do} [24:30]
An Important Note
The sunnah is for the ‘Eid Ṣalāh to be performed in a public area, followed by a short khutbah. There is nothing wrong with some games for children or food for the guests, to bring further joy and happiness on the blessed day of ‘Eid. The Prophet described ‘Eid as being: “Days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allāh” [Muslim]
We should also shun the practice of the sects of deviation and the people of desires, who have abandoned the sunnah of praying ṣalāh outdoors, and in its place they will hold “Eid Festivals” which often include music, free-mixing and entertainment.
May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muḥammad, his family, companions and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Resurrection.
Written by the one in need of Allah,
Abul Abbaas Naveed.
Nelson, Lancashire, UK
15th Ramaḍān, 1434h
Corresponding to 23rd July, 2013
