The answer is that it is disliked because it causes a major objective to be missed: the public manifestation and prominence of this rite. This is something intended by the Lawgiver. As we mentioned previously, the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded people to go out for it despite the hardship; this indicates the importance attached to going out for it.
It is recommended for a follower to go early to it on foot after the dawn prayer.
His statement, “It is recommended for a follower to go early to it on foot after the dawn prayer,” means that it is recommended for the worshipper to set out early for the Eid prayer after the Fajr prayer, or after sunrise if the prayer-ground is nearby—for example, if the town is small and the open ground is close.
Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, would not set out until the sun had risen (1). However, the Eid prayer-ground in the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and in the time of the Companions, such as Ibn Umar, was close by; a person could leave after sunrise and still catch the prayer.
The evidence that it is sunnah to set out after the dawn prayer is as follows:
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The practice of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would go out to the prayer-ground when the sun had risen and find that the people had already arrived. This necessarily means that they had gone ahead of him.
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Because it is an early hastening to goodness.
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Because when he reaches the mosque and waits for the prayer, he remains as though in prayer.