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 sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by doing so, should be sufficient motivation.

‘Aayshah reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam 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 sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has ordered us in numerous speeches to defy the Mushrikeen, and these ‘Eids are among what the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam 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 sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Allâh has given you better than those feasts: the ‘Eid-ul-Adh-haa (Feast of Sacrificing), and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (feast of Breaking the fast).” [Sunan An-Nasaaee: English translation: (vol. 2, p.333, no. 1559), Sunan Abu Dauwud: English translation: (vol. 1, p.293, no. 1130). It is authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Aboo Daawood: vol. 1, p. 210, no.1004.]

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 Allâh 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.]

The above hadeeth is inauthentic in the view of some scholars of hadeeth like Al-Albaanee in Irwaaul Ghaleel: vol. 4, p. 125 and authentic in the view of Imaam Al-Haakim and Imaam 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.