The rulings of the Eid sermon
The Eid khutbah follows the Friday sermon's rules with three exceptions: no sitting first, an opening and closing takbir, and its own subject matter.
After the Eid prayer, the imam gives two short talks called khutbahs. Most of the rules are the same as for the Friday khutbah, but there are a few differences.
How the Eid khutbah is different from the Friday one
- On Friday, the imam sits down on the mimbar (pulpit) before he starts speaking, because Friday prayer has an adhan first.On Eid, the imam does not sit down first, because there is no adhan for Eid.
- Both Eid talks start by saying "Allahu Akbar" many times in a row.9 times at the start of the first talk, 7 times at the start of the second, and 14 times right after the second talk before the imam steps down.
- In the Eid al-Fitr talk, the imam explains the rules of Zakat al-Fitr. In the Eid al-Adha talk, he explains the rules of the sacrifice (Qurbani) and the takbir said on the days after Eid al-Adha (Takbir al-Tashriq).
It is sunnah to deliver two khutbahs after the Eid prayer, and the congregation listens to them, largely under the same rules as the Friday sermon, with a few clear differences.
| Point | Friday khutbah | Eid khutbah |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting before the first sermon | Sunnah for the preacher to sit on the pulpit first, because of the adhan | Sunnah for the preacher not to sit first, since there is no adhan for Eid |
| Opening and closing takbir | None | Begins each sermon with takbir: 9 times at the start of the first, 7 times at the start of the second, and 14 times after the second before descending from the pulpit |
| When it is delivered | Before the prayer: a condition of its validity | After the prayer: not a condition of validity |
Delivering the Eid khutbah before the prayer is disliked. If it is delivered before the prayer by mistake, it is not repeated afterwards.
What each Eid khutbah covers
- The Eid al-Fitr khutbah should cover the rulings of Zakat al-Fitr.
- The Eid al-Adha khutbah should cover the rulings of the sacrifice (Qurbani) and of the Takbir al-Tashriq.
- It is better to inform people of these rulings beforehand, during the Friday sermon just before Eid, so that they can act on them in time.
It is not correct for people to leave after the Eid prayer without listening to the sermon. As with the Friday sermon, they should stay until it finishes, even if they are too far away to hear it.
The rulings of the Eid khutbah are, in general, those of the Friday khutbah, with the following differences.
It is sunnah to deliver two khutbahs after the Eid prayer.
| Point | Friday khutbah | Eid khutbah |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting on the minbar before the first sermon | Sunnah, because the Friday prayer has an adhān | Sunnah that the preacher does not sit, since ʿīd has no adhān |
| Opening with takbīr | None | Both sermons open with takbīr, one of five sermons that do: the two of ʿīd, and the three of Ḥajj |
| Number of takbirs | None | Nine, consecutively, at the start of the first sermon; seven at the start of the second; fourteen after the second sermon, before descending the minbar |
| Closing with takbīr | None | Yes, as above |
| When delivered relative to the prayer | Before: a sharṭ of the prayer's validity | After: not a sharṭ of the prayer's validity |
Delivering the khutbah before the ʿīd ṣalāh is makrūh. Where it is delivered beforehand by mistake, it is not repeated after the ṣalāh.
The content proper to each khutbah
- In the Eid al-Fitr khutbah, the rulings of Zakāt al-Fiṭr should be set out.
- In the Eid al-Adha khutbah, the rulings of the sacrifice and of the Takbīr al-Tashrīq should be set out.
- It is preferable to inform people of these rulings in advance, in the Friday sermon preceding Eid, so that they are able to fulfil them in time.
Leaving after the ʿīd ṣalāh without hearing the khutbah is not correct. As with the Friday khutbah, the congregation should remain until it finishes, even where the sermon cannot be heard from where they stand.
Terms on this page
Related
- The conditions for the Eid prayers The Eid prayer shares its conditions with Jumu'ah, but differs on the sermon, the adhan and iqamah, and where it may be held.
- The rules of the Friday sermon, and the etiquette of listening to it The two obligatory parts of the khutbah, its twelve sunnahs, what is disliked in it, why it stays in Arabic, and how the congregation should listen.
- The rules of the adhan for Friday Why Friday has two calls to prayer, when each is given, and why trading is not allowed once the first one is heard.
- The method of offering the Friday sermon and prayer The rak'ahs of Jumu'ah in order, the intention to use, who may lead, and step by step how the imam moves from the sermon into the prayer.