Praise be to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

DEFINITION OF ‘EID:

The Arabic word “Eid” refers to something habitual, that returns and is repeated, thus stands literally for a recurrent event. It also implies a place often visited by people, and the period of time in which a particular act is regularly performed. Likewise, each gathering that assembles regularly comes under the category, ‘Eid’. Eids or festivals are symbols to be found in every nation, including those that are based on revealed scriptures and those that are idolatrous, as well as others, because celebrating festivals is something that is an instinctive part of human nature. All people like to have special occasions to celebrate, where they can come together and express their joy and happiness.

THE UNBELIEVERS’ RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

There are numerous religious festivals and fairs of the unbelievers. Islam prohibits the Muslims to celebrate their festivals and fairs. The Prophet (!) had prohibited his companions from sports and enjoyment on two particular days on which the pre-Islamic Arabs used to hold sports. Likewise, he forbade them to sacrifice their animals at the places where the polytheists used to celebrate their festivals.
The festivals of the kaafir nations may be connected to worldly matters, such as the beginning of the year, the start of an agricultural season, the changing of the weather, the establishment of a state, the accession of a ruler, and so on. They may also be connected to religious occasions, like many of the festivals belonging exclusively to the Jews and Christians, such as the Thursday on which they claim the table was sent down to Jesus, Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and holidays on which gifts are exchanged. These are celebrated in all European and North American countries nowadays. And in other countries where Christian influence is prevalent, even if the country is not originally Christian, some so-called Muslims join in these holidays, out of ignorance or hypocrisy. The Magians (Zoroastrians) also have their own festivals, such as Mahrajaan, Nowruz and so on.
Muslims are strictly prohibited from joining these religious festivals of the People of the Book and other unbelievers on two grounds; (1): it represents a resemblance to the unbelievers and (2): these are acts of innovations. All such festivals and fairs which have come into vogue as a result of innovation are to be treated in the same way, whether these resemble the practice of the unbelievers or not.
MUSLIMS’ INNOVATED RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS:

1. Al-Raghaib: it is the first Thursday and the following Friday night of the month of Rajab celebrated by ignorant Muslims. There is no evidence of this ceremony from the Glorious Qur’aan and Sunnah of the Prophet (!). According to Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, it was first introduced after the 4th century A.H A fabricated hadeeth is presented in support of this practice. See Al-Fawaaid-ul-Majmoo‘ah fil Ahaadeeth-il-Muwdoo‘ah: pp. 67-8, no. 106.

2. Salaat Umm Daadoo: A prayer which is offered in the middle of the month of Rajab. A particular day is set apart and a specific prayer is offered on this day. See Al-Fawaaid-ul- Majmoo‘ah fil Ahaadeeth-il-Muwdoo‘ah: p. 69, no. 107. THE TWO ‘EIDS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE by Abdul Majeed Alee Hasan AHYA Multi-Media 5

3. ‘Eid Khum Ghadeer: The Baatinis have their own festivals too, such as “Eid al-
   Ghadeer”, when they claim that the Prophet (!) gave the khilaafah to ‘Alee (may Allaah be pleased with him) and to the twelve imams after him. It is the name of place where the Prophet had delivered a sermon on 18th Thul-Hijjah. This report is based on Hadeeth narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam which is collected by Imaam Muslim in Sahih Muslim: vol. 4, 1286, no.5920. Shaykh Imaam ibn Taymeeyah said in regards to this hadeeth in his book

Iqtidaa as Siratil Mustaqeem:

 “The best word is the Book o“the misguided people have, however, effected certain
interpolations into this report. They even claim that the Prophet (!) had clearly commanded that ‘Alee be appointed the Caliph and had seated him at an elevated place. …”. He further said: “ We are not concerned here with the issue of Imaamah. Our objection lies in declaring that it is an innovation to regard this particular day as a special day.” See for further details, ‘Mukhtasar Iqtidaa As-Siraatil Mustaqeem: English Translation: the right way: pp.45-58.
These festivals and fairs of the people of the book or unbelievers or similar festivals introduced by Muslims are all innovations and every Muslim should avoid them to protect his faith. All kaafir or innovated festivals are haraam, such as Independence Day celebrations, anniversaries of revolutions, holidays celebrating trees or accessions to the throne, birthdays, Labour Day, the Nile festival, Shimm al-Naseem (Egyptian spring holiday), teachers’ day, and al-Mawlood al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Birthday).
Every Muslim must consider the following saying of the Prophet (!) very seriously, Jaabir reported that the Prophet (!) used to deliver his sermon with this opening:
f Allaah and the best way is that of Muhammad (!). The worst deed is innovation and each innovation is a deviation from Islaam.” [Sahih Muslim: (vol. 2, p. 410, no. 1885).]

 ‘Aayshah reported that the Prophet (!) said:

“Whoever does an act which is not in agreement with our faith, such an act is rejected.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari: (vol. 3, no. 861.).]

There is another report by her with different wordings:

 “Whoever invents something in our faith which does not originally exist, has nothing to do with us.” [ Sahih Muslim: (vol. 3, p. 931, nos. 4266-7).]

 ‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah reported that the Prophet (!) said:

“Whoever survives me would observe many differences. However, you should follow my sunnah and that of my rightly guided caliphs. Adhere to it firmly. Beware! Avoid innovation, for each innovation is a deviation from Islaam.” [Sunan Abu Dawud: (vol. 3, 1294, no. 4590).]

ISLAMIC ‘EIDS

Muslims must celebrate only three ‘Eids:

(1): ‘Eid-ul-Fitr,

(2): ‘Eid-ul-Adh-haa,

(3): Friday is the day of ‘Eid for Muslims

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); and

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

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 AlBayhaqee 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.

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE ‘EID PRAYER:

Islaam 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 AlIqtidaa: “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.