(1-14-4) The Ruling on the Two Eid Prayers

It is an obligatory prayer for every able Muslim, male or female, while in their place of residence.

The evidence for this is the report from Umm Atiyya, who said: “He commanded us—meaning the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him—to bring out for the two Eids the young women who had reached puberty and those kept in seclusion. He commanded menstruating women to remain apart from the Muslims’ prayer ground.”

In another narration, Hafsa bint Sīrīn reported that Umm Atiyya said: “We—including secluded young women and virgins—used to be commanded to go out on both Eids.” She added: “Menstruating women would go out and remain behind the people, proclaiming Allah’s greatness along with them.” Reported by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. (1)

“Know that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—consistently performed this prayer on both Eids and never omitted it on any Eid. He commanded the people to go out for it, even instructing young women who had reached puberty, secluded women, and menstruating women to attend. He instructed menstruating women to remain apart from the prayer while witnessing the good and the supplication of the Muslims. He even instructed a woman who had no outer garment to have her companion lend her one of hers.

“The command to go out entails a command to pray for every woman who has no excuse, as follows a fortiori from the wording; men are even more entitled to this ruling than women.

“All of this demonstrates that this prayer is emphatically binding as an individual obligation, not a communal obligation.” (2)