It was also narrated that he appointed Abu Mas'ud as his deputy, who then led them in prayer in the mosque.

Section: If there is an excuse preventing [the people] from going out, such as rain, fear, or otherwise, they shall pray in the Jami' (congregational mosque), as narrated by Abu Hurayrah, that they were struck by rain on an Eid day, so the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, led them in the Eid prayer in the mosque. Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah (5).

Section: It is recommended to depart early for Eid after the morning prayer (Subh), except for the Imam, for he should delay until the time of the prayer, because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to do likewise. Abu Sa'id said: "The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to go out on the day of Fitr and Adha to the Musalla, and the first thing he would begin with was the prayer." Narrated by Muslim (6). This is because the Imam is awaited and does not wait; if he arrives at the Musalla and sits in a place concealed from the people, there is no harm in that. Malik said: "The established Sunnah is for the Imam to leave his house at a time that allows him to reach his prayer ground just as the prayer time has arrived." As for others, it is recommended for them to depart early and to draw near to the Imam so that they may attain the reward of arriving early, waiting for the prayer, and being close to the Imam without stepping over people's necks or harming anyone. Ata' ibn al-Sa'ib said: "Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla and Abd Allah ibn Ma'qil (7) used to pray the Fajr on the day of Eid while wearing their clothes, then they would proceed to the Jabbana (open prayer ground), one of them magnifying Allah (saying Takbir), and the other declaring His Oneness (saying Tahlil)." It was narrated from Ibn Umar that he would not go out until the sun had risen.