The Two Festivals (Eids)

Sahih al-Bukhari 963

Hadith Text

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), Abu Bakr and `Umar used to offer the two `Id prayers before delivering the Khutba.

Commentary

This narration establishes the Sunnah practice that the Eid prayer precedes the sermon, contrary to the Friday prayer where the Khutba comes first. This demonstrates the unique nature of Eid prayers.

The inclusion of Abu Bakr and `Umar's practice shows the continuity of this Sunnah through the righteous caliphs, emphasizing its established nature in Islamic practice.

Scholars derive from this that the Eid prayer is a condition for the validity of the Eid Khutba, and that listening to the Khutba, while recommended, is not obligatory as it is in Jumu'ah.

Legal Ruling

The consensus of scholars is that offering the Eid prayer before the Khutba is the established Sunnah, and reversing this order is contrary to the Prophetic practice.