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Praying ?Eid in the Musallaa is the Sunnah Aboo Sa?eed al-Khudree said: ?The Messenger of Allah on the days of ?Eid-ul-Fitr and ?Adhaa, used to go out to the musallaa and the first thing that he would begin with was the prayer...? Reported by al-Bukhari (957), Muslim (889), and an-Nasaa?ee (3/187) The renowned scholar ibn Haajee al-Maalikee said: "The past Sunnah with regards to the 'Eid prayer is that it should be performed at the musallaa. This is because the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was salam) said: 'Prayer in my masjid is a thousand times better than prayer anywhere else except the Masjid-al-Haram.' (Bukhari & Muslim) Despite this great excellence he (sallallahu alayhi was salam) went out (to the musallaa) and left his masjid." (al-Madkhal (2/283)) Imaam ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdasee (al-Mughnee (2/229-230))  said: "The sunnah is to pray the 'Eid prayer at a musallaa. 'Alee (may Allaah be pleased with him) ordered this and al-Awzaa'ee and the people of ra'y preferred this opinion. It is also the opinion of ibn Mundhir." Imaam al-Albaanee, May Allaah have Mercy on him, says in this book (?Praying Eid in the Musallaa is the Sunnah?): ?Further more, there is great and profound wisdom behind this Sunnah ? the Sunnah of praying in an open area of land. And it is that: The Muslims will have two days of the year where all the people of every city can gather together ? whether men, women or children - and turn towards Allaah with their hearts in unity, praying behind one Imaam, making the Takbeer, the Tahleel and supplicating to Allaah sincerely together, as if they were united upon the heart of one man, happy and joyous about the blessing Allaah has bestowed on them. So the Eid will truly be an occasion of celebration for them.? The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wassallam) said: "Let the free women, the virgins, and the menstruating women go out to attend the 'Eed prayer, and witness the goodness and the supplications of the believers. As for the   mentruating women, they should stay away from [praying on] the musallaa." - Bukhaaree