Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The Sunnah regarding which there is no difference of opinion among us is that the Imam should leave his house for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha at such a time that by the time he reaches the Eidgah, the time for prayer has arrived.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about a person who has performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer with the Imam; is it permissible for him to leave without listening to the sermon? He said: It is not permissible for him to leave before listening to the sermon; rather, when the Imam returns, then he should also return.