The Prayer at the two Festivals - Section 1

Abu Saud al-Khudri said that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go out on the day of the breaking of the fast and the day of sacrifice to the place of prayer, and the first thing he did was to pray. When he finished he would stand facing the people who were seated in their rows, deliver an exhortation, issue instructions and give them commands. If he intended to send out an army he did so, or if he had any special orders he gave them, and then departed. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يخرج يَوْم الْفطر وَالْأَضْحَى إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى فَأَوَّلُ شَيْءٍ يَبْدَأُ بِهِ الصَّلَاةُ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَيَقُومُ مُقَابِلَ النَّاسِ وَالنَّاسُ جُلُوسٌ عَلَى صُفُوفِهِمْ فَيَعِظُهُمْ وَيُوصِيهِمْ وَيَأْمُرُهُمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَقْطَعَ بَعْثًا قَطَعَهُ أَوْ يَأْمر بِشَيْء أَمر بِهِ ثمَّ ينْصَرف

Jabir b. Samura said, “I prayed along with God’s Messenger at the two festivals, not only once or twice, without an <i>adhan</i> or an <i>iqama</i>." Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ: صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْعِيدَيْنِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ وَلَا مَرَّتَيْنِ بِغَيْرِ أَذَانٍ وَلَا إِقَامَة. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar used to say the festival prayers before the sermon. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ يُصَلُّونَ الْعِيدَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ

Ibn ‘Abbas was asked whether he had been present at the festival prayer along with God’s Messenger and replied, “Yes, God’s Messenger came out and prayed, then preached a sermon (no mention being made of <i>adhan</i> or <i>iqama</i>). He then went to the women, gave them an exhortation and admonition and ordered them to give alms. I then saw them putting their hands to their ears and necks and giving [some of their jewellery] to Bilal, after which Bilal and he went off to his house.’’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَسُئِلَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: أَشَهِدْتَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْعِيدَ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَصَلَّى ثُمَّ خَطَبَ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ أَذَانًا وَلَا إِقَامَةً ثُمَّ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ فَوَعَظَهُنَّ وَذَكَّرَهُنَّ وَأَمَرَهُنَّ بِالصَّدَقَةِ فَرَأَيْتُهُنَّ يُهْوِينَ إِلَى آذَانِهِنَّ وَحُلُوقِهِنَّ يَدْفَعْنَ إِلَى بِلَالٍ ثُمَّ ارْتَفَعَ هُوَ وَبِلَالٌ إِلَى بَيته

Ibn ‘Abbas said that on the day of the breaking of the fast the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed two <i>rak'as</i>, before and after which he did not pray. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَّى يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لَمْ يُصَلِّ قَبْلَهُمَا وَلَا بَعْدَهُمَا

Umm ‘Atiya said:

We were commanded to bring out the men-struous women and those who were secluded on the day of the two festivals so that they might be present at the congregational prayer of the Muslims and their supplication, but the menstruous women had to keep at a distance from their place of prayer. A woman said, “Messenger of God, one of our number does not possess an outer garment." He replied, “Let her friend lend her hers." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُخْرِجَ الْحُيَّضَ يَوْمَ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَذَوَاتَ الْخُدُورِ فَيَشْهَدْنَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَدَعْوَتَهُمْ وَتَعْتَزِلُ الْحُيَّضُ عَنْ مُصَلَّاهُنَّ قَالَتِ امْرَأَةٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِحْدَانَا لَيْسَ لَهَا جِلْبَابٌ؟ قَالَ: «لِتُلْبِسْهَا صَاحِبَتُهَا مِنْ جِلْبَابِهَا»

‘A’isha said that Abu Bakr came to visit her during the days spent at Mina when she had with her two girls who were playing the tambourine—a version says they were singing what the Ansar said to one another at the battle of Bu'ath*-while the Prophet (ﷺ) was wrapped in his garment. Abu Bakr rebuked them, whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) uncovered his face and said, “Let them alone, Abu Bakr; these are days of festival." In a version [he said], “Abu Bakr, every people has a festival, and this is ours.” *This battle was fought some years before the Hijra between the two Medina tribes, Aus and Khazraj. The reference here is to poems composed by members of the parties in praise of their tribe. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَعِنْدَهَا جَارِيَتَانِ فِي أَيَّامِ مِنًى تُدَفِّفَانِ وَتَضْرِبَانِ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: تُغَنِّيَانِ بِمَا تَقَاوَلَتِ الْأَنْصَارُ يَوْمَ بُعَاثَ وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مُتَغَشٍّ بِثَوْبِهِ فَانْتَهَرَهُمَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَكَشَفَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ:

دَعْهُمَا يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَإِنَّهَا أَيَّامُ عِيدٍ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِن لكل قوم عيدا وَهَذَا عيدنا

Anas said that God’s Messenger did not go out in the morning on the day of the breaking of the fast till he ate some dates, and he would eat an odd number. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يَغْدُو يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتَّى يَأْكُلَ تَمَرَاتٍ وَيَأْكُلَهُنَّ وِتْرًا. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ

Jabir said that on a festival day the Prophet (ﷺ) would return by a different road from the one he had taken when going out. Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ عِيدٍ خَالَفَ الطَّرِيق. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Al-Bara’ said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) addressed us on the day of sacrifice saying, “The first thing we do on this day of ours is to pray; then we return and sacrifice. If anyone does that he has correctly followed our custom; but if anyone makes sacrifice before praying, it is only mutton* he has got ready beforehand for his family, and has nothing to do with the rites." *It counts merely as ordinary food, and is not reckoned as a sacrifice. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ الْبَرَاءِ قَالَ: خَطَبَنَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ فَقَالَ: «إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ بِهِ فِي يَوْمِنَا هَذَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ فَنَنْحَرَ فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ شَاةُ لَحْمٍ عَجَّلَهُ لِأَهْلِهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ النُّسُكِ فِي شَيْءٍ»

Jundub b. ‘Abdallah al-Bajali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone sacrifices before the prayer, he must sacrifice another animal in place of it; but anyone who does not sacrifice till we have prayed must then sacrifice in God’s name." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ جُنْدُبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْبَجَلِيُّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فَلْيَذْبَحْ مَكَانَهَا أُخْرَى وَمَنْ لَمْ يَذْبَحْ حَتَّى صَلَّيْنَا فَلْيَذْبَحْ على اسْم الله»

Al-Bara’ reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone sacrifices before the prayer, he is sacrificing only for himself; but if anyone sacrifices after the prayer, his rites are complete and he has correctly followed the practice of the Muslims." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ الْبَرَاءِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّمَا يَذْبَحُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَدْ تَمَّ نُسُكُهُ وَأَصَابَ سُنَّةَ الْمُسلمين»

Ibn ‘Umar said that God’s Messenger used to sacrifice and slaughter at the place of prayer. Bukhari transmitted it. <i>Idain</i>, 22, where “the Prophet” occurs in place of “God’s Messenger.”

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَذْبَحُ وَيَنْحَرُ بِالْمُصَلَّى. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Anas said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina the people had two days on which they engaged in games. Having asked what their significance was and being told that they had engaged in games on them in the pre-Islamic period, he said, “God has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَلَهُمْ يَوْمَانِ يَلْعَبُونَ فِيهِمَا فَقَالَ: «مَا هَذَانِ الْيَوْمَانِ؟» قَالُوا: كُنَّا نَلْعَبُ فِيهِمَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:

قَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا: يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى وَيَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ

. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Buraida said that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not go out on the day of the breaking of the fast till he had some food, but that he did not take any food on the day of sacrifice till he had prayed. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَن بُرَيْدَة قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يَخْرُجُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ حَتَّى يَطْعَمَ وَلَا يَطْعَمُ يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْن مَاجَه والدارمي

Kathir b. ‘Abdallah on his father’s authority quoted his grandfather as saying that at the two festivals the Prophet (ﷺ) said “God is most great” seven times in the first <i>rak'a</i> before reciting from the Qur’an, and five times in the last one before reciting. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ كَثِيرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَبَّرَ فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ فِي الْأُولَى سَبْعًا قَبْلَ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ خَمْسًا قَبْلَ الْقِرَاءَةِ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَابْن مَاجَه والدارمي

Ja'far b. Muhammad told in <i>mursal</i> form that the Prophet, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said “God is most great” at the two festivals and when praying for rain seven times in the first <i>rak'a</i> and five times in the second. They prayed before the sermon, and recited the Qur’an in a loud voice. Shafi‘i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مُرْسَلًا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ كَبَّرُوا فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ وَالِاسْتِسْقَاءِ سَبْعًا وَخَمْسًا وَصَلَّوْا قبل الْخطْبَة وجهروا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ. رَوَاهُ الشَّافِعِي

Sa'id b. al-‘As said he asked Abu Musa and Hudhaifa how God’s Messenger said “God is most great” on the day of sacrifice and of the breaking of the fast. Abu Musa said he uttered it four times as he did at funerals and Hudhaifa said that that was correct. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَحُذَيْفَةَ: كَيْفَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي الْأَضْحَى وَالْفِطْرِ؟ فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى: كَانَ يُكَبِّرُ أَرْبَعًا تَكْبِيرَهُ على الجنازه. فَقَالَ حُذَيْفَة: صدق. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Al-Bara’ said that the Prophet (ﷺ) was handed a bow on the day of the breaking of the fast and delivered the sermon leaning on it. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنِ الْبَرَاءِ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نُووِلَ يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ قَوْسًا فَخَطَبَ عَلَيْهِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Ata’ told in <i>mursal</i> form that when the Prophet (ﷺ) preached he would lean on his javelin. Shafi'i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَطَاءٍ مُرْسَلًا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا خَطَبَ يَعْتَمِدُ عَلَى عنزته اعْتِمَادًا. رَوَاهُ الشَّافِعِي

Jabir said:

On a festival day when I was present at the prayer along with the Prophet (ﷺ) he first observed the prayer without <i>adhan</i> or <i>iqama</i> before the sermon. Then when he finished the prayer he stood up leaning on Bilal, praised and extolled God, gave the people an exhortation and an admonition and urged them to obey Him. He then went to the women, taking Bilal with him, commanded them to fear God and gave them an exhortation and an admonition. Nasa'i transmitted it.

وَعَن جَابر قَالَ: شَهِدْتُ الصَّلَاةِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي يَوْمِ عِيدٍ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّلَاةِ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ بِغَيْرِ أَذَانٍ وَلَا إِقَامَةٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الصَّلَاةَ قَامَ مُتَّكِئًا عَلَى بِلَالٍ فَحَمَدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَوَعَظَ النَّاسَ وَذَكَّرَهُمْ وَحَثَّهُمْ على طَاعَته ثمَّ قَالَ: وَمَضَى إِلَى النِّسَاءِ وَمَعَهُ بِلَالٌ فَأَمَرَهُنَّ بِتَقْوَى الله ووعظهن وذكرهن. رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيّ

Abu Huraira said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went out by one road on the festival day he returned by another. Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا خَرَجَ يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ فِي طَرِيقٍ رَجَعَ فِي غَيْرِهِ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ والدارمي

He said that rain fell on a festival day and the Prophet (ﷺ) led them in the festival prayer in the mosque. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي هُرَيْرَة أَنَّهُ أَصَابَهُمْ مَطَرٌ فِي يَوْمِ عِيدٍ فَصَلَّى بِهِمُ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَاةَ الْعِيدِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَابْنُ مَاجَه

Abul Huwairith said that God’s Messenger wrote to ‘Amr b. Hazm when he was in Najran telling him to observe the prayer early on the day of sacrifice and late on the day of the breaking of the fast, and to admonish the people. Shafi'i transmitted it.

وَعَن أبي الْحُوَيْرِث أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَتَبَ إِلَى عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ وَهُوَ بِنَجْرَانَ عَجِّلِ الْأَضْحَى وَأَخِّرِ الْفِطْرَ وَذَكِّرِ النَّاسَ. رَوَاهُ الشَّافِعِي

Abu ‘Umair b. Anas told on the authority of some of his paternal uncles who were companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) that some men came riding to the Prophet (ﷺ) and testified that they had seen the new moon the previous day. He therefore commanded the people to break the fast and go out to their place of prayer in the morning. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي عُمَيْرِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ عَنْ عُمُومَةٍ لَهُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَنَّ رَكْبًا جَاءُوا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّهُمْ رَأَوُا الْهِلَالَ بالْأَمْس ن فَأَمرهمْ أَن يفطروا وَإِذا أَصْبحُوا أَن يَغْدُو إِلَى مصلاهم. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَالنَّسَائِيّ