Muslims must celebrate only three ‘Eids:

(1): ‘Eid-ul-Fitr,

(2): ‘Eid-ul-Adh-haa,

(3): Friday is the day of ‘Eid for Muslims [See ETIQUETTE OF MUSLIMS ON FRIDAY:BY ‘ABDUL MAJEED ‘ALI HASAN]

These three Eids are exclusively for the Muslims, and that it is not permissible for Muslims to imitate the kuffaar and mushrikeen in anything that is a distinctive part of their celebrations, whether it be food, dress, bonfires or acts of worship.

THE DECREES OF AL-‘EID:

There are three opinions among the scholars:

(1): Some say it is waajib (obligatory);

(2): Some say it is Fardul Kifaayah (if some offered the prayer then it is enough and it is not  obligatory upon all);

(3): Some say it is Sunnatul Muakkadah (recommended)

The evidence of those who say it is waajib:

Some of the scholars say that ‘Eid prayers are waajib (obligatory) – this is the view of the Hanafee scholars and of Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (may Allaah have mercy on him). They say that the Prophet (!) always prayed the ‘Eid prayer and never omitted to do it, not even once. They take as evidence the aayah (interpretation of the meaning), “Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)” [al-Kawthar 108:2], i.e., the ‘Eid prayer and the sacrifice after it, which is an instruction, and the fact that the Prophet (!) ordered that the women should be brought out to attend the ‘Eid prayers, and that a woman who did not have a jilbaab should borrow one from her sister. [See Tamaamul Minnah: by Al-Albaanee: p.344. Refer to Al-Mughnaee by Imaam ibn Qudaamah: vol. 2, p. 223.]

The evidence of those who say it is Fardul Kifaayah: Some scholars say that Eid prayer is Fardul Kifaayah. This is the view of the Hanbalees. Refer to Al-Mughnaee by Imaam ibn Qudaamah: vol. 2, p. 223.

The evidence of these who it is sunnatul Muakkadah: A third group say that ‘Eid prayer is sunnah mu’akkadah. This is the view of the Maalikis and Shaafa’is. They take as evidence the hadeeth of the Bedouin which says that Allaah has not imposed any prayers on His slaves other than the five daily prayers. Refer to Al-Mughnaee by Imaam ibn Qudaamah: vol. 2, p. 223.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSLIMS’ ‘EIDS:

So the Muslim should be keen to attend ‘Eid prayers, especially since the opinion that it is waajib is based on strong evidence. The goodness, blessings and great reward one gets from attending ‘Eid prayers, and the fact that one is following the example of the Prophet (!) by doing so, should be sufficient motivation.

 ‘Aayshah reported that the Prophet (!) said: “For every people there is a feast and this is our feast”.[Sahih Al-Bukhari: (vol. 5, no. 268).]

“Our feast” has a great meaning to Muslims because it tells us that our feasts are our own and derived from our Sharee‘ah alone. Holidays are usually based on religious traditions. It is very important that we demonstrate our celebrations with great joy and gathering, and observe them in such a way that distinguishes us from the Mushrikeen. The Prophet (!) has ordered us in numerous speeches to defy the Mushrikeen, and these ‘Eids are among what the Prophet (!) wanted us to take special care of. That is why he has said, after seeing that the people of Madeenah had two holidays which they celebrated from before Islaam, which is reported by Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (!) said,

 “Allaah has given you better than those feasts: the ‘Eid-ul-Adh-haa (Feast of Sacrificing), and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (feast of Breaking the fast)”.

Due to these clear facts, Muslim scholars put great emphasis on the concept of being different from the Mushrikeen in our ceremonies. This is because ceremonies have great effects over the human mind and behavior. Being different in our ceremonies means too that we must not participate in the Mushrikeen’s ceremonies on their holidays. It is mentioned in Sunan Al- Bayhaqee the statement of ‘Umar that, he said, “Do not learn the language of the Mushrikeen without a necessity nor enter the churches of Mushrikeen on their festivals because the anger of Allaah dissends on them then”. Muslims should not celebrate their festivals instead they should oppose them. Muslims can fast on the Mushrikeen’s holidays.

Umm Salamah said the Prophet used to fast on Saturdays and Sundays, and when asked he said: “They are two days of Mushrikeen’s holidays so I like to oppose them in their ceremonies”. [Musnad Imaam Ahmad.]

Ath-Thahabee. Fasting on Friday or Saturday is haraam (prohibited) in Islaam when a man chooses these days as particular days for fasting and does not fast the day before or after because it is in the hadeeth narrated by Imaam At-Tirmithee which is authenticated by Al- Albaanee in Irwaaul-Ghaleel: vol. 4, p.118, no. 960. by prohibition of fasting on Saturday it is meant to oppose the Jews who keep fast on Saturday. But if someone wants to fast Saturday then he must fast Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday, two days together. Only that person is allowed to fast who has missed his fast of Ramadaan so that he can fast that day. Also the one who has vowed to fast then he can fast or fast as an atonement, and for expiation on Saturday.

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE ‘EID PRAYER:

Islam exhorts its followers to make social life a visible expression of God-consciousness. Prayer is the most effective means of fostering this virtue in man. This is the reason why it has been made essential for Muslims to observe obligatory prayers in congregation. It starts with five daily prayers then Jumu‘ah is a step forward in this respect, then comes ‘Eids prayers and then once a year the Hajj. The purpose behind it is to provide opportunities to a greater number of Muslims to attend larger congregations in an atmosphere of religious piety. Apart from prayer, the sermon has also been made an integral part of this gathering and the prayer.

FOR WHOM THE PERFORMANCE OF SALAATUL ‘EID IS VALID:

The ‘Eid prayer is valid for men, women, children, travellers, residents, people in congregation, and people praying individually. It is also valid if performed in a house, mosque, or a distant place designated for the salah, and so on.

ETIQUETTE OF A MUSLIM ON THE DAY OF ‘EID-UL-ADH-HAA:

To assess the concept of being different from the Mushrikeen, it is very important to say that: in order to be different in our ceremonies in the way the Prophet (!) wanted us to be, we must follow the Sunnah literally. That would give us the deeds of bieng true followers of he Prophet (!). So if we want to be his (!) followers we must be aware of Bid‘ah. Bid‘ah comes at the expense of Sunnah which is replaced by it. Ibn Taymiyah said inhis book Al- Iqtidaa: “There is no place in the heart for both Sunnah and Bid‘ah”.

Allaah says: “Say-O Muhammad-if you love Allaah follow me, Allaah will love you.” [Aali ‘Emraan: 31.]

A Muslim is required to follow the teachings of the Messenger of Allaah (!) before going to the ‘Eid prayer. It is of great important to follow the Sunnah of ‘Eid so we can truly say that our feasts are different from the Mushrikeen’s feasts.