Muslims joining Eid prayers at the Haram Masjid in Makkah on Friday to mark the conclusion of the fasting month of Ramadan. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)

JEDDAH: The Eid Al-Fitr celebrations started on a grand note in the Kingdom, but the festival also triggered a healthy debate among Islamic scholars because it fell on Friday.

The issue brought under sharp focus whether it is obligatory to perform both Eid and Friday prayers.

Some Saudi scholars said it is not obligatory to perform both the Eid and Friday prayers, although it is favorable and not strictly banned, local media reported.

Ali Al-Hakami, a member of the Supreme Council of Scholars, issued a fatwa stating that Muslims are not required to perform both Eid and Juma prayers and that performing only Eid prayer is enough.

According to Al-Hakami, a fatwa states that if Eid falls on a Friday and one has performed the Eid prayer, there is no obligation to perform the Friday prayer and that it is favorable to perform both.

Qais Al-Mubarak, another member of the Supreme Council, said there are differences among scholars worldwide in the interpretation of the Hadith (Prophet’s sayings) on the issue.

It may be noted that Imam Ahmed holds the view that one must perform the Eid prayer as well as the noon (Duhr) prayer, but is not required to perform the Friday prayer in mosque.

Some scholars argue that Muslims are required to perform both Eid and Friday prayers, with the exception of those who live in remote areas.

Hatem Al-Ouni, faculty member at the Umm Al-Qura university, said Friday prayer is not required by all those who have performed the Eid prayer, and one can simply perform the noon prayer, with the exception of Imam of a mosque.

Source: ArabNews