QUESTION: Some people claim that when Eid falls on a Jumuah then according to the Hadeeth the Eid Salaah should be performed and the Jumuah Salaah is cancelled. Is this correct?

ANSWER: When Eid falls on a Friday then is incumbent for the town dwellers (those upon whom Jumuah is Fardh) to perform both Salaahs in their respective times. It is erroneous to believe that when Eid falls on a Jumuah then the Eid Salaah shall suffice for the Jumuah Salaah and there will be no need to perform the Jumuah Salaah. The following texts clarify this issue:

Abu Ubaid states: "Thereafter, I witnessed Eid with Uthman bin Affaan (Radhiallahu Anhu). He arrived then lead the prayers. Thereafter, he turned (to face the congregation) and rendered the sermon. He (Sayyiduna Uthman Radhiallahu Anhu) said: "Indeed two Eids have coincided for you today. Thus, whoever from the (Ahlul 'Aaliyah) – villagers wish to wait for the Jumuah (prayers) should wait and whoever wish to return then I have indeed permitted him"." [Muwatta Maalik Vol. 1 Pg. 179]

Note: A similar narration has also been narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu Anhu – Marfoo'an. The above narration is also recorded by Abu Dawood Pg. 153 and Ibn Majah Pg. 93. [Ibid]

The action of Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affaan Radhiallahu Anhu clarifies the Hadeeth of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam where Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam permitted those who wish to leave immediately after Eid Salaah. This statement of Sayyiduan Uthman Radhiallahu Anhu was directed in a gathering wherein the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum's presence was extensive and yet no record is found that anyone of them opposed or contested him. It was a statement that was thus unanimously accepted by all of those that were present.

Further, the following juristic texts also sheds more light on the issue.

Allamah Ebrahim Halabi (d. 956 AH) Rahimahullah states: "Salaatul Jumu'ah is Fardh 'Ain upon every such person within whom the conditions of its Wujoob (incumbency) are perfectly found. The Qur'aan indicates to its Fardhiyyat (compulsion) فاسعوا إلى ذكر الله و ذروا البيع - "Hasten to the remembrance of Allah and discard sale". Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam stated: "Indeed I have intended to order a man that reads his Salaah with congregation to thereafter burn the homes of those men that stay away from the (performance of) Jumu'ah Salaah. [Muslim/Ahmad] In another Hadeeth Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam stated: "The attending of the Jumuah is incumbent upon every mature male". [Nisaai] There is Ijmaa' (of the A'immah) on the fact that Jumuah is Fardh 'Ain." {Halbee Kabeer Pg. 547/8}

At another juncture he states: "Eid Salaah is Waajib upon the one on whom Jumuah is compulsory. Imaam Muhammad Rahimahullah states in his Al Jaamiul Sagheer: "Two Eids that co-exists on one day, the first one is Sunnah (meaning Waajib that is proven through the Sunnah/Hadeeth) and the second one is Fardh. Not one of them should be discarded." {Ibid Pg. 565}

Moulana Yusuf Ludhianwi Rahimahullah states in his Aap ke Masaail Vol. 2 Pg. 414: "Eid Salaah is Waajib and Jumuah Salaah is Fardh Ain. How can one Waajib act take the place of a Fardh Ain? Further, the time for Eid Salaah is before Zawaal and Jumuah becomes Fardh after Zawaal. How can the Salaah that is performed before Zawaal take the place of Jumuah? It is for this reason that according to the Jamhoor A'immah Jumuah cannot displace/cancel the Jumuah Salaah. Imam Abu Haneefah, Imaam Maalik and Imaam Shaafi'ee Rahimahumullah are all in favour of this (i.e. Eid Salaah can not cancel the obligation of performing Jumu'ah Salaah on the day of Eid). The doubt that is created in the minds of people with regard to some narrations that Eid Salaah cancels the obligation of performing the Jumuah Salaah (actually) means that it is NOT with regard to townsfolk but in fact with regards to villagers (bedouins). In other words, those villagers that comes to the town/city for the performance of Eid Salaah if they wish to return to their villages before the Jumuah time then they may do so. They too shall perform Zuhr Sallah in the time of Zuhr in their homes. In fact there are some narrations that clearly makes mention of this point. However, there are some narrations that do not clarify this point but it shall be implied here too".

Mufti Abdur Raheem Lachpori Rahimahullah {Fataawaa Raheemiyyah Vol. 1 Pg. 273} states: "This is not correct that to perform one of the two (Eid or Jumuah Salaah) is sufficient. In fact, it is necessary to perform both Eid Salaah and Jumuah Salaah.

محمد عن يعقوب عن أبي حنيفة رضي الله عنهم عيدان اجتمعا في يوم واحد فالأول سنة و الآخر فريضة ولا يترك واحد منهما (الجامع الصغير ص 20 و الهداية ج 1 ص 151) طحطاوي على الدر المختار ج1 ص 558.

Yes, as far as Ghusl is concerned for Eid and Jumuah Salaah on the same day one Ghusl is sufficient. The following is stated in Khairul Fataawa: "One Ghusl is sufficient (Eid Salaah and Jumuah Salaah). One should not burden himself with Ghusl for each one of them. It is stated in Raddul Muhtaar (Vol. 1 Pg. 157): "One Ghusl is sufficient for Eid and Jumuah that coincides." {Vol. 3 Pg. 67}

AND ALLAH TA'AALA KNOWS BEST

Z. M. Pandor

8 Dhul Hijjah 1425
19 January 2005