The Meaning and Reality of Holidays in Islaam Author: Al ‘Allaamah Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al Jaamee (may Allah have mercy upon him) Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee Allah has legislated two Holidays in Islaam for the Muslims; with no third. Allah has legislated each of these holidays (to take place) directly after a tremendous act of worship and a pillar from the pillars of Islaam. The first of these two Holidays is ‘Eidul Fitr and the other is ‘Eidul Adhaa. ‘Eidul Fitr As far as Eidul Fitr, then it has been legislated on the first day of the month of Shawwal upon the conclusion of fasting (the month of Ramadhaan), standing its nights in prayer and other than this from those acts of obedience that a servant by way of them may draw close to Allah during this blessed month of Ramadhaan. Allah The Most High, has made fasting obligatory during this blessed month and has also made it a pillar form the pillars of Islaam; (Allah) has allocated a reward for fasting, the like of which He has not allocated for any other act of worship. The Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) has narrated to us on his Lord that Allah The Mighty and The Majestic has said, “Every action of the son of Adam is for him except for fasting for verily it (fasting) is for me and I shall reward him for it.” In a narration by Bukhaari it says, “he the slave, has left off his food, drink, and desires for Me.” Oh how amazing and benevolent is this connection and what a magnificent affair, (the fact that Allah has connected fasting to Himself in His statement) “Except fasting for it is for Me”. This connection points to the fact that Allah is honoring His fasting servant when He The Lord, The Most High, connects the action of the servant to Himself, The Mighty and The Majestic. Allah informs us that fasting is for Him and that He shall reward His servant for it a reward of which cannot be estimated nor calculated except by Allah The Most High, and thus (Allah) favors and bestows bounties upon the servant; verily Allah is The Most Generous, The Most Kind. It has been authentically reported on the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) that he (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhaan out of faith and seeking the reward from Allah he will be forgiven for his past sins.” Likewise it has been authentically reported on him (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), “Whoever stands Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking the reward from Allah he will be forgiven for his past sins.” So Allah The Most High has legislated fasting and has allocated for it (the aforementioned) reward, and thus are those who are patient rewarded. Allah The Most High says, إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.” [Zumar: 10] Similarly it has been legislated (during the month of Ramadhaan) to stand its nights in prayer, this is a Sunnah Muakkadah (highly recommended Sunnah) that has been put into practice by the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). Upon the completion of this tremendous blessing that Allah has graciously bestowed upon His servants, He legislated upon them ‘Eidul Fitr. They now feast after (a period) of fasting, and are now enjoying the good things that Allah has made lawful for them. They go out to the place of the prayer, clad and adorned with the very best of their apparel; glorifying Allah, uttering that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allah, praising Allah and thanking Him until they offer the two units of the ‘Eid prayer. This is ‘Eidul Fitr. All praise is due to Allah for those blessings and bounties which we have just described. This is the manner of the affair until the completion of the ‘Eid (prayer). Then (upon the completion of the prayer) everyone disperses from the place of the prayer after having just attentively listened to the ‘Eid sermon which is delivered on this great occasion. They disperse, immersed in the joy of the bounty of Allah the Most High upon them; (the bounty that He has bestowed upon them) by granting them the success to fast, and thus they fasted. As well as making it easy for them to stand the nights of Ramadaan in prayer, and thus they have stood (in prayer). Then (they were granted success) and performed the ‘Eid prayer. All thanks and gratitude belongs to Allah for granting the success and facilitation of ease (in these affairs). Yes, they leave from the place of the ‘Eid prayer greeting each other with “Happy ‘Eid”. In this manner the ‘Eid is completed, and then subsequently followed by optionally fasting six days during the month of Shawwaal so that perhaps Allah may restore (to their fast) that which had occurred (and afflicted it) from short comings and deficiencies during the month of Ramadaan. The one who fast (these six days) is (rewarded) the reward of the one who has fasted the entire year. The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever fast Ramadaan and then follows it by fasting six days in Shawwaal, is like (the one) who has fasted the entire year.” (Another benefit that is gained by fasting six days in the month of Shawwaal), is so that you will not be swayed by joy to the point of neglect and opulence. This is ‘Eidul Fitr. This is the meaning and true reality of Eidul Fitr, and Allah knows best.
‘Eidul Adhaa
Allah has legislated for us ‘Eidul Adhaa, (which also takes place) after an act of worship, which in reality is a Jihaad which contains therein no fighting. This act of worship is (none other than) the Pilgrimage to the sacred house of Allah. This meaning (of referring to the Pligrimage as Jihaad) has been authentically reported on the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) in the hadeeth of ‘Aaisha (radi Allahu ‘anha) collected by Al Bukhaaree when she (radi Allahu ‘anha) asked the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam), “Is there upon the women any form of Jihaad?” He (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) replied, “Upon the women there is a Jihaad which contains no fighting therein…Hajj and ‘Umrah.” Shortly before the conclusion of the performance of this great act of worship, Hajj (Pilgrimage) to the House of Allah; Allah has legislated for His servants on the tenth of (the month of) Thul Hijah, ‘Eidul Adhaa. This is after Allah has blessed those pilgrims to His House with (successfully) standing on (Mount ‘Arafah) on the Day of ‘Arafah, humbly and submissively (imploring their Lord), repenting (to him), fearing Him (and having the utmost reverence for their Lord the Most High). (‘Eidul Adhaa) occurs the day after (Allah has blessed) those who had not made Hajj that year with the (success in the performance) of the act of worship of fasting. That fasting, which Allah expiates by way of it, the sins of the past and coming year. Thus, this great holiday (‘Eidul Adhaa) takes place after a great day, a day of thanks and gratitude to Allah; The One who bestowed, and granted (a tremendous) bounty upon those (servants who) He bestowed it upon, from Hajj and Fasting. On the day (of the great holiday) the servants of Allah, those on Hajj as well as those who did not embark upon the pilgrimage, seek to draw near to Allah by slaughtering animals in order that their meat be given to the poor and impoverished. This is however, after they themselves had taken from it that which was easy, following the example set forth by their Prophet, Muhammad (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) and giving thanks to their Lord. They spend the day (of ‘Eidul Adhaa) as well as the following three days (the days of Tashreeq) in the remembrance of Allah, enjoying and partaking in the good things that Allah made permissible for them from food, drink, fine scents/perfumes and other than that from the blessing and bounties that Allah has bestowed (upon us) which can not be calculated nor measured. Thus, it becomes abundantly clear, the lofty and exalted meanings, as well as the profound wisdom in the two Islaamic Holidays, ‘Eidul Fitr and ‘Eidul Adhaa. Innovated Holidays
As for the gatherings (and celebrations) of the innovators on various occasions that were invented by mankind after the end and conclusion of the (first three) praiseworthy generations, whose praise and goodness have been attested to. (The innovators) invented these (false holidays) and then slapped upon them the name, “Islaamic Holidays”. However, these false holidays have nothing to do with Islaam (in reality). Rather, they are newly invented matters in the religion, and every newly invented matter in the religion is a Bid’ah, and every Bid’ah is a misguidance. In addition, these innovated holidays are places where the sexes are mixed, breeding grounds for the destruction of good moral character, places of vain (idle speech, which contain therein no benefit), (places of destructive) play and amusement, the beating of the duff and bass drums, dancing and handclapping. Like this until the end (of what they do) from the actions of the pre-Islaamic times of ignorance (Jaahiliyyah), which are well known to every observer. The attributing of the name of Islaam, “Islaamic Holidays”, after all of this, to these innovated festivals is in my opinion considered to be a crime against Islaam. This is an affair which is not hidden from everyone who has insight in their religion and who has studied Islaamic Jurisprudence. Some examples of these innovated holidays, are those holidays/festivals in the name of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) (The Mawlid), the celebration of the night of Israa (The Night Journey), the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan, and lastly those Jaahiliyyah holidays which have been (falsely) adopted, like the holiday of Husain, Zainab, Badawee, and other than these, from the Jaahiliyyah holidays which shaytaan (the devil) has beautified to it practitioners. With great regret, the common folk from the Muslims and the masses, during the establishment of these innovated holidays have partaken in (erroneously) performing obligatory and legislated acts of worship, and Allah’s aid is sought. | 
