The Eid prayer in mosques

Question

(a) There have long been two Eidgahs (open grounds for the Eid prayer) in the town; the distance between them is two furlongs (1 furlong ≈ 201 m). There is also a third Eidgah, and between the first two Eidgahs and it there is a river. This third Eidgah has been in use since the last Eid al-Fitr. In such a situation, is it prohibited by the Shari'a to perform the [Eid] prayer in mosques or not? (b)

Answer

(a) It is mandub and mustahabb that the Eid prayer be performed at the Eidgah. If it is performed in a mosque of the five daily prayers, it is still valid, but the display of the might (shawka) of Islam is diminished, because the gathering remains divided and scattered. (b) Until a common (jami')

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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