What is the ruling regarding the obligation of Eid prayer on individuals?
Chapter on the Two Eid Prayers
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
The prayer is obligatory upon individuals (Fard Ain) according to Abu Hanifa, because it is a prayer for which a sermon is legislated, thus making it obligatory upon all individuals, similar to Jumu'ah prayer. This view holds that it is Wajib (obligatory) but not Fard. The evidence cited for this is that the absence of an Adhan does not negate individual obligation, as demonstrated by the Juristic principle that something with bowing and prostration not legislated with an Adhan was not initially legislated as an obligation, comparing it to the prayer for rain and eclipse. However, the counter-argument states that if it were Fard Ain, the sermon would also be obligatory to hear, like Jumu'ah. Furthermore, the absence of the Adhan suggests it is not Fard Ain, similar to the funeral prayer.
Supporting text
Malik, the majority of Shafi'i scholars, and Ibn Abi Musa hold that Eid prayer is only a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) and not obligatory. Their evidence is the Prophet's statement to the Bedouin affirming only the five obligatory prayers unless one volunteers for more, and the Hadith mentioning the five prescribed prayers. They also reason that since it involves bowing and prostration but lacks an Adhan, it was not legislated as an initial obligation, like the eclipse and rain prayers.