Firstly, the difference in moon sightings (᾽Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāli῾) is not considered for ῾Iīd al-᾽Aḍḥā because the people follow the pilgrimage (Ḥajj) in this matter. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The fast is the day you all fast, the breaking of the fast is the day you all break, and the sacrifice is the day you all sacrifice.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhī, who said: this is a Ḥasan Gharīb ḥadīth].

The gathering of pilgrims at ῾Arafāt in Mecca is a conclusive sign for unity, even if it does not align with what some people believe based on their calculations or individual sighting. This is why Imam Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “The individual who sights the moon must follow the ruling of [the majority of] people in fasting and Ḥajj, even if it contradicts his certainty.”

Thus, those who celebrate ῾Iīd differently from those at ῾Arafāt, after knowing that the pilgrims are standing at ῾Arafāt, are acting contrary to the Sunnah and the purpose of this day, even if they believe they are correct. Our worship is tied to the prescribed times, not the times themselves.

Secondly, scholars differ on the ruling of the ῾Iīd prayer. The majority view it as a confirmed Sunnah, while the Ḥanafīs consider it an individual obligation (wājib), and the Ḥanbalīs consider it a communal obligation (farḍ kifāyah).

The ῾Iīd prayer consists of two units (rak῾ahs), which are subject to the previous ruling. The ῾Iīd sermon (khuṭbah) is considered Sunnah, so speaking during it does not invalidate the prayer, nor does it carry the same consequences as speaking during the Friday sermon.

Therefore, there is no harm in the same person delivering the sermon and leading the prayer for two congregations on two different days, or even on the same day, according to the majority of the Shāfi῾ī and Ḥanbalī scholars. This is also the view of Ṭāwūs, ῾Aṭā᾽, Al-᾽Awzā῾ī, Abū Thawr, Sulaymān ibn Ḥarb, and Dāwūd ibn ῾Alī al-Ẓāhirī. Alternatively, he can deliver the sermon and lead the prayer for one congregation, and only deliver the sermon for the second congregation while appointing someone else to lead the prayer, according to the Ḥanafī and Mālikī schools.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr