BENEFIT 474: Should You Remain to Listen to the ’Eid Khutbah If the Imam Is an Innovator?

Question: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته الله يحفظكم I wanted to ask, if my nearby masjid is a known spubs affiliated masjid, should I stay or leave for the khutbah after the ’Eid Salah? Whilst I do have the ability to travel to Masjid Muqbil instead, this masjid is alot closer for my family and I to attend جزاكم الله خيرا Sheikh Yūsuf Al-Jazaa’iri hafidahullāh: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته Eid prayer is recommended for women, according to the strongest opinion. The hadith of Umm ‘Atiyyah, found in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, shows that it is good for women to attend the ’Eid prayer so they can share in the blessings and the prayers of the Muslims—not that ’Eid prayer is an obligation for women; and that is so long as they go out modestly, without wearing makeup, flashy clothes, or perfume. If the woman asking the question and her family can go to the masjid (Muqbil) Al-Wadi‘ee, then that is the best choice from a religious point of view. It is worth going a little farther to support the gathering of those who follow the Sunnah. But if going to that masjid is too difficult for her and her family, then we advise her to pray ’Eid at a nearby masjid, even if the imam there follows innovations that do not remove one from Islam. Ibn Taymiyyah raḥimahullāh said: «فإذا لم تجد إماما غيره كالجمعة التي لا تقام إلا بمكان واحد، وكالعيدين، وكصلوات الحج خلف إمام الموسم؛ فهذه تُفعل خلف كل بر وفاجر باتفاق أهل السنة والجماعة» “If one cannot find an imam other than him—for instance, in cases such as Friday prayers that are held only in one place, or the two Eid prayers, or the congregational prayers during Hajj behind the seasonal imam—then such prayers are to be performed behind any leader, whether righteous or sinful, by consensus of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama‘ah.” It is also okay to leave after the ’Eid prayer and not stay for the khutbah. Most scholars agree that the ’Eid khutbah is recommended, not required, for both men and women. As-San‘ani said in Subul As-Salam: «وقد ‌نُقل ‌الإجماع ‌على ‌عدم ‌وجوب ‌الخطبة ‌في ‌العيدين» “There is consensus that attending the khutbah for the two ’Eids is not obligatory.” This is especially true if the imam giving the khutbah is a hizbi innovator, and she fears he might say confusing or misleading things during his speech. However, if she remains during the sermon and occupies herself with tasbih (glorifying Allāh) and the like, then that is better, as it gives precedence to the benefit of joining the congregation of Muslims And Allāh is the Grantor of success. ----- 7/Dhul-Hijjah/1446H. -------- Related benefit ⤵️ https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1828