The people of Mecca—may Allah increase it in honor and dignity—are exempt from this, for we have not heard that any of the early generations ever led them in an Eid prayer anywhere other than their mosque. (1)
Among the proofs that the two Eid prayers are to be performed at the open prayer ground are the following:
a) The aforementioned hadith of Umm Atiyya, in which the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—commanded the people to go out to the open prayer ground.
b) Ibn Umar reported that whenever the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—went out on the day of Eid, he would order that a spear be brought and placed before him. He would then pray facing it while the people stood behind him. He used to do the same when traveling, and hence the rulers adopted this practice.
Another narration states: “A spear would be planted before the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—on the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and he would then pray.”
Another narration states: “The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would proceed early to the open prayer ground while a short spear was carried before him. It would be planted before him at the prayer ground, and he would pray facing it.” Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim. (2)
— (4-14-4) The Sermon after the Eid Prayer:
The sermon at both Eids is delivered after the prayer.