I participated in the Fitr prayer with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman, and all of them observed this prayer before the Khutba, and then he (the Holy Prophet) delivered the sermon. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) descended (from the pulpit) and I (perceive) as if I am seeing him as he is commanding people with his hand to sit down. He then made his way through their (assembly) till he came to the women. Bilal was with him. He then recited (this verse): O Prophet, when believing women come to thee giving thee a pledge that they will not associate aught with Allah" (lx. 12) till he finished (his address to) them and then said: Do you conform to it (what has been described in the verse)? Only one woman among them replied: Yes, Apostle of Allah, but none else replied. He (the narrator) said: It could not be ascertained who actually she was. He (the Holy Prophet) exhorted them to give alms. Bilal stretched his cloth and then said: Come forward with alms. Let my father and mother be taken as ransom for you. And they began to throw rings and ringlets in the cloth of Bilal.
The Book of Prayer - Two Eids
Sahih Muslim 884a
Narration Context
This blessed narration from Sahih Muslim describes the proper sequence of Eid al-Fitr prayer as established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and followed by the Rightly Guided Caliphs. The Eid prayer precedes the khutbah (sermon), contrary to the Friday prayer where khutbah comes first.
Scholarly Commentary
The precedence of prayer before sermon on Eid days is a distinctive Sunnah established by the Prophet and maintained by his successors. This order emphasizes that the communal worship takes priority over the instructional aspect.
The Prophet's movement to address women separately demonstrates his comprehensive care for all community members. His recitation of Surah Al-Mumtahina verse 12 indicates the importance of women's religious education and their direct pledge to Islamic principles.
Bilal's role in collecting charity shows the integration of worship with social welfare. The women's donation of jewelry illustrates their enthusiastic response to religious obligation and the community's collective spirit in fulfilling zakat al-fitr.
Legal Rulings Derived
Eid prayer must be performed before the khutbah according to the consensus of the early community.
The Imam should ensure all congregants, including women, receive proper religious instruction.
Charity collection during Eid is a established Sunnah that strengthens community bonds.