For if it were understood as anything other than this, it would not be a delay, nor would it be permissible to disapprove of it. Furthermore, it is not permissible to interpret it as meaning that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to perform it at the time of prohibition, because that is unanimously considered disliked, and it is agreed that the best course is the opposite. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would not consistently perform an act that is disliked or less virtuous. If he had consistently performed the prayer at that time, it would have been necessary for that to be the most virtuous and appropriate way. Therefore, it is determined that it must be interpreted according to what we have mentioned.

Section: It is recommended (sunnah) to perform the Adha prayer early so that there is ample time for the sacrifice (7), and to delay the Fitr prayer so that there is ample time to distribute the Zakat al-Fitr. This is the school of al-Shafi'i, and I do not know of any disagreement regarding it. It has been narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, wrote to 'Amr ibn Hazm: "Delay the Fitr prayer and hasten the Adha prayer" (8). This is because every Eid has a function; the function of Fitr is the payment of the fitrah (9), the time for which is before the prayer, while the function of Adha is the sacrifice, the time for which is after the prayer. In delaying the Fitr prayer and hastening the Adha prayer, there is an expansion of the time for the function of each of them.

303 - Issue: He said: (Without Adhan or Iqamah)

We do not know of any disagreement among those whose disagreement is considered regarding this, except that it was narrated from Ibn al-Zubayr that he called the Adhan and performed the Iqamah. It was also said that the first to call the Adhan for Eid was Ibn Ziyad. This is evidence that there was consensus before him that neither Adhan nor Iqamah is recommended for it. Malik, al-Awza'i, al-Shafi'i, and the scholars of reason (Ashab al-Ra'y) all held this opinion. It has been established that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to perform the Eid prayer without Adhan or Iqamah. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, prayed the two Eids without Adhan or Iqamah.