I say: Ahmad struck out the hadith of this Kathīr ibn Abd Allāh ibn Amr in al-Musnad, saying: “His hadith is worth nothing” (1). Al-Tirmidhī sometimes grades his hadith as authentic and sometimes as good. Al-Bukhārī explicitly stated that it was the most authentic report on this subject, while also judging the hadith of Amr ibn Shuayb authentic, and said that this was the view he followed. Allah knows best.

When he (peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, he would turn and stand facing the people, who remained seated in their rows. He would exhort them, counsel them, and give them instructions. If he wished to arrange a military expedition, he would do so; if he wished to issue an order, he would issue it. There was no pulpit there for him to ascend, nor was Medina’s pulpit (2) brought out. Rather, he would address them while standing on the ground.

Jābir ibn Abd Allāh said: “I attended the Eid prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He began with the prayer before the sermon, without either a call to prayer or a call announcing its commencement. Then he stood, leaning on Bilāl, and enjoined mindfulness of Allah, urged obedience to Him, exhorted the people, and reminded them (3). He then went over to the women and exhorted and reminded them.” Narrated by both al-Bukhārī and Muslim (4).

Abū Saīd al-Khudrī said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would go out to the prayer ground on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adhā, and the first thing he would do was pray. He would then turn and stand facing the people, who remained seated in their rows.” The hadith continues. Narrated by Muslim (5).