EID, MANNAERS AND RULINGS

“Eid” is an Arabic word referring to something habitual, that returns and is repeated. 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 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 various 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 may also join in these holidays, out of ignorance or hypocrisy.

The Magians (Zoroastrians) also have their own festivals, such as Mahrajaan, Nauroze and so on.

The Rawaafiz have their own festivals too, such as “Eid al-Ghadeer”, when they ignorantly claim that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) gave the khilaafah to Hadhrat ‘Ali and to the twelve Imaams after him.

The Muslims are distinguished by their festivals

The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam)’s words “Every nation has its festival, and this is your festival” indicate that these two 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. Muslim children should not be allowed to play on those Kaafir festivals, or to put up decorations, or to join in with the Kuffaar on those occasions. All Kaafir or innovated festivals are Haraam.

The Muslims have no festivals apart from Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-AdhHaa, because of the Hadeeth narrated from Hadhrat Anas who said:

“Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) came to Madinah al Munawwarah and the people had two days when they would play and have fun. He said, ‘What are these two days?’ They said, ‘We used to play and have fun on these days during the Jaahiliyyah. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said, ‘Allah has given you something better than them, the day of AdhHaa and the day of Fitr.’” (Sunan Abi Dawood, 1134)

These two Eids are among the signs or symbols of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) which we must celebrate and understand the aims and meanings behind them.

There follows a discussion of some of the rulings and manners of the two Eids according to Islamic Shari’ah:

AHKAAM AL-EID (Rulings on Eid)
SAWM (Fasting)
It is Haraam to fast on the days of Eid because of the Hadeeth of Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) forbade fasting on the day of Fitr and the day of Sacrifice (AdhHaa). (Muslim, 827)

Ruling on the Salaah of Eid
Some of the scholars say that Eid prayers are waajib (obligatory) – this is the view of the Hanafi scholars and of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyah. They say that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) always offered Eid Salaah 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. Some scholars say that Eid Salaah is Fardh Kifaayah. This is the view of the Hanbalis. A third group say that Eid Salaah is Sunnah Mu’akkadah. This is the view of the Maalikis and Shaafa’is. So the Muslim should be keen to attend Eid Salaah, especially since the opinion that it is Waajib is based on strong evidence. The goodness, blessings and great reward one gets from attending Eid Salaah, and the fact that one is following the example of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) by doing so, should be sufficient motivation.

The Salaah before the Khutbah
One of the rulings of Eid is that the Salaah should be offered before the Khutbah, as is reported in Musnad Ahmad from the Hadeeth of Hadhrat Ibn ‘Abbaas, who testified that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) offered Salaah before the Khutbah on Eid, then he delivered the Khutbah. (Musnad Ahmad, 1905. The hadeeth is also in al-Saheehain)

Another indication that the Khutbah should be after the Salaah is the Hadeeth of Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed: “The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to go out to the prayer-place on the day of al-Fitr and al-Adhaa, and the first thing he would do was to offer Salaah, then he would stand up facing the people, whilst they were still sitting in their rows, and would advise and instruct them. If he wanted to send out a military expedition, he would decide about the matter then, or if he wanted to issue a command, he would do it then.” Abu Sa’eed said: “This is what the people continued to do until I came out [to the Eid prayers] with Marwaan, when he was governor of Madeenah, on either Adhaa or Fitr. When we reached the prayer-place, we saw the minbar, which had been built by Katheer ibn al-Salt. Marwaan wanted to get on the minbar before the Salaah. I pulled on his cloak, and he pulled on mine in return, then he got on the minbar and gave the Khutbah before the Salaah. I said, ‘You have changed it, by Allah! ’ He said, ‘O Abu Sa’eed, what you know is gone.’ I said, ‘What I know, by Allah, is better than what I do not know.’ He said, ‘The people will not remain sitting after the Salaah, so we made it [the Khutbah] before the Salaah.’” (Bukhari, 956)

Nafl Salaah in the Eid prayer-place
There are no Nafl Salaah to be done either before or after the Eid Salaah, as Hadhrat Ibne ‘Abbaas reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to come out on the day of Eid and pray two Rak’aat, with nothing before or after them.

AADAAB AL-EID (Manners of Eid)
GHUSL (Taking a bath)

One of the manners of Eid is to take a bathe before going out to the Salaah. It is reported in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that Hadhrat ‘Abdullah ibne ‘Umar used to take a bath on the day of al-Fitr before coming to the prayer-place. (al-Muwatta’, 428)

It was reported that Hadhrat Sa’eed ibne Jubair said:

“Three things are Sunnah on Eid: to walk (to the prayer-place), to take a bath and to eat before coming out.”

This is what Hadhrat Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, and he may have learned this from some of the Sahaabah.

Imam Al-Nawawi mentioned that the scholars were agreed that it is Mustahabb to take a bath before the Eid Salaah.

The reason why it is Mustahabb to take a bath before Friday Salaah and other public gatherings also applies in the case of Eid, only more so.

Eating before coming out
One should not come out to the prayer-place on Eid al-Fitr before eating some dates, because of the Hadeeth narrated by Bukhari from Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik who said:

“Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) would not go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… and he would eat an odd number.” (al-Bukhari, 953)

It is Mustahabb to eat before coming out because this confirms that we are not allowed to observe Sawm (Fast) on this day, and demonstrates that the Fasting is now over. Ibn Hajar explained that this is to prevent people extending the fast and it also means obeying the commandment of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). (Fath, 2/446)

If a person does not have any dates, he can eat anything permissible for breakfast. On Eid al-AdhHaa, on the other hand, it is Mustahabb not to eat until after the Salaah, when one should eat from the meat of one’s sacrifice.

Takbeer on the day of Eid
This is one of the greatest Sunnahs of this day, because of the words of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), interpretation of the meaning:

“… (He, [Allah] wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah (say Takbeer – ‘Allahu akbar’) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (al-Baqarah 2:185)

Al-Waleed ibn Muslim said:
“I asked al-Oozaa’i and Maalik bin Anas about saying Takbeer aloud on Eid. They said, ‘Yes, ‘Abdullah ibne ‘Umar used to say it aloud on the day of Fitr until the Imaam came out.’”

Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Salami said:
“On Eid al-Fitr they would say it louder than on Eid al-Adhaa.” Wakee’ said, “i.e., the Takbeer.” (Irwaa’, 3/122)

Al-Daaraqutni and others reported that when Hadhrat Ibne ‘Umar came out on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-AdhHaa, he would strive hard in making Takbeer until he reached the prayer-place, then he would continue making Takbeer until the Imaam came.

Ibne Abi Shaibah reported with a Saheeh Isnaad that al-Zuhri said:

“The people used to make Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they reached the prayer-place and until the Imaam came out. When the Imaam came out, they fell silent, until the Imaam said Takbeer, then they said Takbeer.” (Irwaa’, 2/121)

The practice of making Takbeer from home to the prayer-place, and until the Imaam comes in, was well-known among the salaf and was reported by a number of authors such as Ibn Abi Shaybah, ‘Abd al-Razzaaq and al-Firyaabi in his book Ahkaam al-‘Eidayn from a group of the salaf. An example of this is the report that Naafi’ ibn Jubair used to make Takbeer and wondered why people did not do so. He would say to people, “Why do you not make Takbeer?” Ibn Shihaab al-Zuhri said, “The people used to make Takbeer from the time they left their homes until the Imaam came in.”

The time for making Takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night of Eid until the time when the Imaam comes in to lead the Salaah.

The wording of the Takbeer
Ibn Abi Shaibah reported in al-Musannaf that Hadhrat Ibne Mas’ood used to say Takbeer on the days of Tashreeq as follows:

“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha illAllahu, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar wa Lillaahil-hamd (Allah is Most Great. Allah is Most Great. There is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise).”

Ibn Abi Shaibah reported it elsewhere with the same Isnaad, but with the phrase “Allahu akbar” repeated three times.

Al-Muhaamili also reported that Hadhrat Ibne Mas’ood used to say:

“Allahu akbaru kabeeran, Allahu akbaru kabeeran, Allahu akbar wa ajall, Allahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great of All, Allah is Most Great of all, Allah is most Great and Most Glorious, and to Allah be praise).” (al-Irwaa ’, 3/126)

Congratulating one another
People may exchange congratulations and good greetings on Eid, no matter what form the words take. For example they may say to one another:

“Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum (May Allah accept [the fast and worship] from us and from you” or “Eid mubarak” and other similar permissible greetings.

Jubair ibn Nufair said:
“At the time of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), when people met one another on the day of Eid, they would say, ‘Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minka (May Allah accept from us and from you).’” (Ibn Hajar. Fath, 2/446)

The practice of exchanging greetings was well-known at the time of the Sahaabah and scholars such as Imaam Ahmad and others allowed it. There are reports which indicate that it is permissible to congratulate people on special occasions. The Sahaabah used to congratulate one another when something good happened, such as when Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) accepted a person’s repentance and so on.

There is no doubt that congratulating others in this way is one of the noblest kinds of good manners and one of the highest social qualities among Muslims.

At the very least, one can return Eid greetings when they are given to you, and remain silent if nothing is said, as Imaam Ahmad said:

“If someone congratulates me, I return the greeting, but I do not initiate it.”

Looking one’s best for Eid
Hadhrat ‘Abdullah ibne ‘Umar said:
“Hadhrat ‘Umar picked up a Jubbah (long outer garment) made of silk that was for sale in the market, brought it to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) and said, “O Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), buy this and wear it for Eid and when the delegations come.” Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said, “This is the clothing of the one who has no share of the Hereafter…” (Bukhari, 948)

The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) approved of Hadhrat ‘Umar’s idea of looking one’s best, but he rejected and denounced the idea of buying this Jubbah because it was made of silk.

Hadhrat Jaabir said:
“The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) had a Jubbah that he would wear on Eid and on Fridays.” (Ibne Khuzaimah, 1765)

Al-Baihaqi reported that Hadhrat Ibne Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid, so men should wear the best clothes they have when they go out for Eid.

To go out one by one route and come back by another
Hadhrat Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to vary his routes on the day of Eid. (Bukhari, 986)

It was also reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to go out walking, and he offered Salaah without any Azaan or Iqaamah, then he would come back walking by a different route. It was said that this was so that the two different routes would testify in his favor on the Day of Resurrection, because on that Day the earth will speak about everything that was done on it, good and evil. It was also said that this was done in order to demonstrate the symbols and rituals of Islam along both routes; to pronounce the remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa); to annoy the hypocrites and Jews and to scare them by the number of people who were with him; to meet the people’s needs by giving fatwas, teaching them and setting an example for them to follow; to give charity to those in need; or to visit his relatives and uphold the ties of kinship.

Warning against wrongdoing
Mixing of men and women in some prayer-places, streets, etc. It is a pity that this happens not only in Masjids but even in the most sacred of places, al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah al Mukarramah). Many women – may Allah guide them – go out uncovered ,wearing make-up and perfume, flaunting their adornment, when there is such serious overcrowding in the Masjids – the dangers of this situation are quite obvious.

Some people get together on Eid for the purpose of singing and other forms of idle entertainment, and this is not permitted.

Some people celebrate on Eid because Ramadaan is over and they no longer have to fast. This is a mistake, the believers celebrate at Eid because Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has helped them to complete the month of fasting, not because the fasting, which some peo-ple regard as a heavy burden, is over.

We ask Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to accept our worship and our repentance. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam).