Is Additional Dhikr Before the Eid Khutba Permissible?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
During the Eid khutba, is it permissible for the khatib to recite forms of remembrance other than the prescribed takbir before beginning the sermon?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Maintaining the established form of the Sunna in ritual acts of worship is always superior.
The Eid khutba is specifically distinguished by its opening with takbir, and preserving this feature is important.
That said, there is no clear prohibition against reciting additional forms of dhikr before the khutbah, provided that:
- The essential structure (arkan) of the khutbah is fulfilled
- The khutbah still begins in the prescribed manner with takbir
- Such additional dhikr is not formalized or treated as part of the Sunnah of the Eid khutba
The key concern is avoiding introducing something in a way that leads people to believe it is an established Sunnah or a required element of the ritual.
More generally, engaging in remembrance of Allah falls under the broad command of Allah (Most High), “Remember Allah abundantly.” [Quran, 33:41]
Accordingly, occasional or informal additional dhikr would be permissible, while maintaining clarity about what is and is not from the established practice of the Sunna.
Related Answers
- What Is the Ruling of Eid Prayer?
Explains the rulings of Eid prayer, including the status and importance of attending the Eid khutba. - Closeness & Thankfulness – Eid al-Fitr Khutba 2011
A reflective Eid khutba by Faraz Rabbani on gratitude, remembrance, and drawing near to Allah after Ramadan.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
