Q: On the morning of `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) when we arrived at the Prayer place in one of the suburbs of the city of Al-Ta'if, in the area of Banu Malik, we found that the Imam had finished the Salah (Prayer) and was about to finish the Khutbah (sermon). The latecomers asked one of them to lead Salah. Their number exceeded fifty people, so he led them in a two unit Salah during the Khutbah. After the end of the Salah, (Part No. 8; Page No. 306) a dispute arose on the validity of their Salah. Some said that the Salah was valid. Could you please advise us? Was this Salah valid or not? May Allah guide you to good. As-Salam Alaikum.

A: The two `Eid Prayers are a collective duty. When a group of people offer it, others are exempted from sin. As in the case in question, offering what is obligatory had been done by those who offered Salah first and attended the Khutbah of the Imam. Whoever missed it and wished to make up for it may do so without a Khutbah after. This is the saying of Imam Malik, Al-Shafi`y, Ahmad, Al-Nakh`y, and other scholars. The origin in this regard is the Prophet's saying (peace be upon him) When you head for prayer, come to it walking with tranquility, and pray the Rak`ahs that you have caught of Salah, and complete what you have missed. It is narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) used to gather his family and his servants for Salah, when he would miss the two `Eid Prayers then his servant `Abdullah ibn Abu `Utbah would lead them in Salah where he says: Takbir (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]"). Those who attend the `Eid Prayer while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah have to listen to the Khutbah and then make up for the Salah afterwards so as to combine both benefits.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.