Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “It is not Sunnah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, only stayed there because it was more convenient for his departure.” (1) Thus, according to Aisha’s statement, staying there is not an act of worship; rather, it merely makes departure easier.

The correct view is that taking a different route is specific to the two Eid prayers alone. This is also the apparent meaning of the author’s words, may Allah have mercy on him, for he did not mention taking a different route for the Friday prayer, whereas he mentioned it for the two Eid prayers. This indicates that his preferred view is that taking a different route is not Sunnah except for the two Eid prayers.

“He performs it as two units of prayer before the sermon, saying six takbirs in the first unit after the opening takbir and the opening supplication, and before seeking refuge and recitation …”

His statement, “He performs it as two units of prayer before the sermon,” means that the Eid prayer is performed as two units before the sermon; the sermon is not given before the prayer.

His statement, “He says six takbirs in the first unit after the opening takbir and the opening supplication, and before seeking refuge and recitation,” means that he says the opening takbir, then recites one of the opening supplications reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. We have previously mentioned that the most authentic hadith concerning the opening supplication is the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: “O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the east from the west. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed of filth. O Allah, wash me of my sins with water, snow, and hail.” (2)

Once he has recited this or another reported opening supplication, he says six takbirs: “Allah is greatest, Allah is greatest,” until he completes six; then he seeks refuge with Allah and recites. Thus, the opening supplication precedes the additional takbirs.