or anything similar that has been transmitted in the reports; all of that is commendable. It is also fitting, when he addresses large congregations, to recite those surahs that contain themes of monotheism, commands and prohibitions, the origin and the return, as well as the stories of the prophets and their peoples—how Allah dealt with those who denied and disbelieved them, subjecting them to ruin and misery, and how He granted deliverance and safety to those who believed and affirmed them.” End quote.

Once he concludes the prayer, he delivers two sermons, sitting briefly between them. ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿUtbah reported: “The sunnah is that the imam delivers two sermons on the two ʿEids, separating them with a sitting,” narrated by al-Shafiʿi. Ibn Mājah records from Jābir: “He preached standing, then sat for a moment, then stood again.” In the authentic collections and elsewhere it is related: “He began with the prayer, then stood leaning on Bilāl and exhorted the people to fear Allah and urged them to obey Him.” Muslim’s version reads: “Then he would move away and stand facing the people, while they remained seated in their rows.”