Is the Imam obligated to fight those who abandon the Eid prayer?
Chapter on the Two Eid Prayers
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
The position supporting individual obligation argues that if all people refrain from performing the prayer, the Imam must fight them. This is because fighting is a punishment that is not directed towards someone abandoning a recommended act, such as killing or striking. The evidence supporting the obligation in general is the command from God (Quran 108:2), where command implies obligation, and the continuous practice of the Prophet, peace be upon him, which serves as evidence for its obligation. It is also considered one of the manifest symbols of the religion, thus necessitating obligation like Jumu'ah.
Supporting text
Some scholars maintain that the Imam should not fight those who abandon the prayer, arguing that since the prayer is not obligatory upon every individual, abandoning it does not warrant fighting. The Hadith cited by Malik and his supporters only negates the obligation of prayers beyond the five, and the practice of the Prophet and those who prayed with him is specific to those who were present or similar to them.