The Ruling on performing the 'Eid Prayers in the Desert and while Travelling
Question :
I went to the countryside once and it happened that the day of 'Eid Al-Adhha came, and I saw the people, men and women, rushing to the graveyard in order to visit the graves... and it alarmed me on the morning of that ‘Eid, to see all of those who had come to stand up and pray in the graveyard... and a middle-aged man went forward and led them all in prayer, except me, for I stood where I was in a state of confusion and consternation at what I had witnessed and I did not offer that prayer with them, which they called the 'Eid prayer. My question is, what is the Islamic ruling on this prayer, bearing in mind the fact that the people in the countryside those whom I mentioned - have no mosque or any central mosque... they live in tents, separated from each other.
Note: When I say that they prayed in the graveyard, I mean that they prayed next to it, far away from the graves.
Answer:
The 'Eid prayer is only performed in towns and villages, and it is not prescribed to perform it in the desert or while travelling. This is how the Sunnah has come to us from the Messenger of Allah, and it has neither been recorded from him, nor from his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, that they performed the 'Eid prayer on journeys or in the desert. And the Prophet performed the Farewell Pilgrimage and he did not offer the Friday prayer in 'Arafat, and it was on a Friday. Nor did he offer the Eid prayer in Mina.
And in following the Prophet and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, is every goodness and happiness. And Allah is the Granter of success.
Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2 Page 474
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