The Prophet (ﷺ) used to proceed to the Musalla on the days of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha; the first thing to begin with was the prayer and after that he would stand in front of the people and the people would keep sitting in their rows. Then he would preach to them, advise them and give them orders, (i.e. Khutba). And after that if he wished to send an army for an expedition, he would do so; or if he wanted to give and order, he would do so, and then depart. The people followed this tradition till I went out with Marwan, the Governor of Medina, for the prayer of Id-ul-Adha or Id-ul-Fitr. When we reached the Musalla, there was a pulpit made by Kathir bin As-Salt. Marwan wanted to get up on that pulpit before the prayer. I got hold of his clothes but he pulled them and ascended the pulpit and delivered the Khutba before the prayer. I said to him, "By Allah, you have changed (the Prophet's tradition)." He replied, "O Abu Sa`id! Gone is that which you know." I said, "By Allah! What I know is better than what I do not know." Marwan said, "People do not sit to listen to our Khutba after the prayer, so I delivered the Khutba before the prayer."
The Prophetic Practice (Sunnah)
The noble tradition establishes that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would begin the Eid prayer first, followed by the khutbah (sermon). This order demonstrates the priority of worship over oration and reflects divine wisdom in arranging acts of devotion.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's consistent practice of praying before preaching establishes this sequence as the confirmed Sunnah. Any alteration represents an innovation (bid'ah) in religious matters.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri's objection to Marwan's change demonstrates the Companions' vigilance in preserving the Prophetic tradition exactly as transmitted.
Marwan's justification - that people would disperse after prayer - shows how worldly considerations began to override religious principles after the righteous generations.
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The majority of scholars maintain that delivering the khutbah before the Eid prayer is invalid, as it contradicts the established Sunnah. The correct sequence remains: Eid prayer first, then two khutbahs while standing.
Historical Context
This incident occurred during the Umayyad period, illustrating how political authorities began introducing changes to religious practices. The Companions and their followers consistently opposed such innovations.