What is the ruling on praying the 'Id prayer in mosques when there are open areas in the desert?

Question : May Allah reward you. He asks: What is the ruling on praying the 'Id prayer in mosques when there are open areas in the desert where Muslims can pray?

Answer : The Sunnah (recommended practice) for the 'Id prayer is to perform it in the desert, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would leave his mosque and go out to the desert, even though prayer in his mosque is better than a thousand prayers in any other place except the Ka'bah mosque. But for the 'Id prayer, he would go out and leave the mosque, despite the virtue of prayer in it, and pray in the desert. Why? To display this great ritual, so that people would go out and sacrifice for Allah the Exalted and Majestic, and so that they would have a wonderful gathering when they assemble in this desert. However, if there is an obstacle, such as severe cold, rain, or the like, then it is prayed in the mosques. For this reason, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered 'Ali ibn Abi Talib to lead the weak among the people in the 'Id prayer in the mosque.