The Reason for the Legislation of the Two Eid Celebrations

The Prophet ﷺ entered Madinah and its people had two days which they used to celebrate. Allāh replaced those days with two better days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. He (subhanahu wa ta‘ala) legislated for His slaves that they celebrate them, remembering and glorifying Him for the blessings He gave them.

In Eid al-Fitr, the prayer is legislated out of gratitude to Allāh due to what He has completed for His slaves and aided them with such as completing the month of Ramadan with fasting and praying during its night.

Eid al-Adha has been legislated out of gratitude to Allāh due to what He completed for His slaves from the blessing of Ḥajj as well as worship in the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah.

This is why I said in my poem ‘Ṣayḥatu Ḥaqq’:

The Ruling of these Two Eid Prayers

The jurists (fuqaha) differed regarding the ruling on the two Eid prayers [for men]. Most scholars hold that it is a highly recommended Sunnah whilst some of the scholars view that is an individual obligation for each person (Farḍ ‘Ayn). Those who held it is Farḍ ‘Ayn are Abū Ḥanīfah, al-Awzā’ī, al-Layth, and Mālik in one narration (rahimahullah).

Some of the Shāfi’ī jurists held that it is a communal obligation (Farḍ Kifāyah). Also, it is the madh’hab of Aḥmad (rahimahullah).

Perhaps the opinion that it is farḍ ‘ayn is the closest to the truth because the Prophet ﷺ even commanded the menstruating women to go out to the prayer place (musalla) and this proves the importance of this practice (Eid prayer) and the attention and care Islam gives to it.

Source: Ta’sis al-Ahkam, Explanation of ‘Umdah al-Ahkam (3/47-48)

Originally published: 14 June 2018