`Ata' said, "Jabir bin `Abdullah said, 'The Prophet (ﷺ) went out on the Day of `Id-ul-Fitr and offered the prayer before delivering the Khutba, Ata told me that during the early days of Ibn Az-Zubair, Ibn `Abbas had sent a message to him telling him that the Adhan for the `Id Prayer was never pronounced (in the life time of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)) and the Khutba used to be delivered after the prayer. Ata told me that Ibn `Abbas and Jabir bin `Abdullah, had said, "There was no Adhan for the prayer of `Id-ul-Fitr and `Id-ul-Aqha." `Ata' said, "I heard Jabir bin `Abdullah saying, 'The Prophet (ﷺ) stood up and started with the prayer, and after it he delivered the Khutba. When the Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah (p.b.u.h) finished (the Khutba), he went to the women and preached to them, while he was leaning on Bilal's hand. Bilal was spreading his garment and the ladies were putting alms in it.' " I said to Ata, "Do you think it incumbent upon an Imam to go to the women and preach to them after finishing the prayer and Khutba?" `Ata' said, "No doubt it is incumbent on Imams to do so, and why should they not do so?"
The Two Festivals (Eids) - Sahih al-Bukhari 958, 959, 960, 961
This commentary examines the authentic traditions regarding Eid prayer procedures as narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah and Ibn Abbas through Ata.
Sequence of Eid Prayer and Sermon
The Prophet (ﷺ) performed the Eid prayer before delivering the khutba (sermon), establishing this as the sunnah. This sequence differs from the Friday prayer where the khutba precedes the prayer.
Ibn Abbas explicitly stated that this practice continued throughout the Prophet's lifetime and during the early caliphate, confirming it as established Islamic tradition.
Absence of Adhan and Iqamah
There was no call to prayer (adhan) or second call (iqamah) for either Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha prayers. The congregation gathers without these formal calls, as the Eid prayer time is well-known and announced in advance.
Special Address to Women
After completing the general khutba, the Prophet (ﷺ) specifically went to address the women separately, leaning on Bilal's hand for support. This demonstrates the importance of ensuring religious education reaches all segments of the community.
Bilal spread his garment to collect charity from the women, showing that the Eid occasion includes both spiritual and charitable dimensions.
Scholarly Consensus on Contemporary Application
Ata considered it incumbent upon imams to follow this prophetic example by addressing women separately after the Eid prayer. This reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic guidance that ensures no segment of the community is neglected in religious instruction.
The scholars maintain that these prophetic practices should be preserved in Eid celebrations to maintain the authentic sunnah and ensure proper communal participation.