The word Eid is derived from two Arabic words:
- ‘aada (he returned) because it has returned to us every year and also because we have returned to Allah(SWT) in the days of Ramada or Hajj.
- ‘aadah (custom/habit) become we have become accustomed to Eid and also the obedience of Allah (SWT) in these days leading up to Eid.
Yawm ul farh’
The days of the two Eids are days of joy and happiness, and these days are singled out for some acts of worship, special practices, and traditions.
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عِنْدَهَا يَوْمَ فِطْرٍ أَوْ أَضْحًى وَعِنْدَهَا قَيْنَتَانِ تُغَنِّيَانِ بِمَا تَقَاذَفَتْ الْأَنْصَارُ يَوْمَ بُعَاثٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مِزْمَارُ الشَّيْطَانِ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ دَعْهُمَا يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ عِيدًا وَإِنَّ عِيدَنَا هَذَا الْيَوْمُ
3716 صحيح البخاري كتاب مناقب الأنصار باب مقدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه المدينة
Aisha reported: Abu Bakr came to her on the day of Eid while the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was with her and there were two girls singing songs of the Ansar on the day of Bu’ath. Abu Bakr said twice, “Musical instruments of Satan!” The Prophet said, “Leave them Abu Bakr. Verily, for every people there is a celebration and this day is our celebration.” [Bukhārī 3716, Muslim 892]
So what should we do on Eid?
It was narrated that Nubayshah al-Hudhali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The days of at-Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.” [Muslim (1141)]
Aa’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “So that the Jews may understand that in our religion there is some leniency, I have been sent with monotheism that is of an easy nature.” [Musnad Ahmad (50/366)]
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) included this hadith in a chapter entitled: The concession allowing play in which there is no sin during the days of Eid.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said “In this hadith we learn that it is prescribed to be generous to one’s family and children during the days of Eid, with different kinds of things that will bring them pleasure and joy, and allow the body to relax after the effort of worship.” We also learn that expressing joy on Eid is one of the symbols of Islam. [Fath al-Baari (2/514)]
Time with family
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to come back via a different route. [Bukhaari (943)]
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said concerning the ruling on that “It was said that the wisdom behind that was so that he might visit his relatives, both living and dead; and it was said that it was in order to uphold ties of kinship.” [Fath al-Baari (2/473)]
Don’t forget the purpose of Ramadan
يقول ابن رجب: ليس العيد لمن لبس الجديد، إنما العيد لمن طاعاته تزيد، ليس العيد لمن تجمل باللباس والركوب، إنما العيد لمن غفرت له الذنوب
“Eid is not for the one who wears new clothes. Eid is for the one whose obedience rises. Eid is not for the one with beautiful clothes and fine means of transport, Eid is for the one whose sins are forgiven.”
قال الحسن البصري: كل يوم لا يعصى الله فيه فهو عيد، كل يوم يقطعه المؤمن في طاعة مولاه وذكره وشكره فهو له عيد
Ibn Rajab reported: Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “Every day in which Allah is not disobeyed is a celebration (Eid). Every day the believer spends in obedience, servitude, remembrance, and gratitude is a celebration.” Source: Lata’if Al-Ma’arif 1/278
Be easy on others
Allah (SWT) says in the ayah of Ramadan:
Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. [Surah al-Baqarah 2:185]
Imam Ahmad recorded Anas bin Malik saying that Allah’s Messenger said:
Treat the people with ease and don’t be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion. [Bukhari and Muslim]
It is also reported in the Sahihayn that Allah’s Messenger said to Mu`adh and Abu Musa when he sent them to Yemen:
(Treat the people with ease and don’t be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion; and love each other, and don’t differ.)
The Sunan and the Musnad compilers recorded that Allah’s Messenger said:
I was sent with the easy Hanifiyyah (Islamic Monotheism)
((He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah ﴿i.e., to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)﴾ for having guided you…) Allah’s statement:
(…so that you may be grateful to Him.) means: If you adhere to what Allah commanded you, obeying Him by performing the obligations, abandoning the prohibitions and abiding by the set limits, then perhaps you will be among the grateful.
We entered Ramadan saying Yaa Allah and we left saying Yaa Rubbi – valuing the love of compassion of Allah. Let’s keep this in mind as we leave Ramadan.
The biggest mistake we make is to ‘take it easy’ for a day or two after Eid only for us to then slip back to our old ways. Be the new you from today!
