Some scholars maintain that it is not obligatory to listen attentively to the two Eid sermons, reasoning that if attentive listening were obligatory, attendance would also be obligatory and leaving would be prohibited. Since leaving is permissible and attendance is not obligatory, listening is likewise not obligatory.
According to this view, however, if speaking would disturb those present, then it is prohibited because of the disturbance, not because one is required to listen. Accordingly, if a person has a book with him while the imam is delivering the Eid sermon, he may review it, since this does not disturb anyone.
According to the view adopted by the author, however, listening is obligatory so long as one remains present.
HE BEGINS THE FIRST WITH NINE TAKBĪRS AND THE SECOND WITH SEVEN …
His statement, “He begins the first with nine takbīrs and the second with seven,” means that he begins the first sermon with nine consecutive takbīrs and the second sermon with seven consecutive takbīrs.
The evidence for this is as follows:
- A hadith has been narrated concerning this, but it has been judged defective due to a break in its chain: the Prophet ﷺ “would begin the first with nine takbīrs and the second with seven” (1). Thus it became