Religious and Social Values of Eid

Oumar Tandjigora 

(Translated from Turkish by Khadija Ogunyemi)

Festivals are integral parts of every culture, and it is possible to say every society has days designated for celebration. As it is termed in Islamic literature, Eid represents the two days celebrated by Muslims:  Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.

In the second year of the Hijra, two eid days were legislated to signify the end of Ramadan fasting and hajj, two of the five pillars of Islam.  The wisdom behind these celebrations is this; fasting and hajj, which occur annually, are more challenging and wearing than salah, which occurs daily. For this reason, a feast was held for one or more days to relax the soul and body, to bring happiness to the soul, to relieve hardship and fatigue, and to celebrate divine forgiveness.

Religious Values

Islamic feasts are different from conventional holidays and festivals. The two annual Eid days includes a series of religious duties. Tasbih, tahlil, takbir, and tahmid; are often made during this period. Moreover, the establishment of a large congregational prayer is another indication of the religious values of the eid ceremonies. During eid-ul adha, sacrificial animals are slaughtered and given out in charity. Just like the zakat-ul fitr, given the Eid al-Fitr prayer.

The sunnah has made us know that Friday also serves as a (weekly) eid apart from these two holidays. On this day, too, religious duties -sermon and congregational prayer- are made.

Social Values

Aside from its numerous religious duties and value, Eid is a day of celebration and joy for all Muslims, regardless of their madhhab, ethnicity, tradition, and region. Its social teaching and significance solidify and strengthens social harmony, humanity, and values in society. On eid day, the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, simplicity, sympathy, and brotherhood spreads among the people. Thus, irrespective of their economic and social status, Muslims tend to share the same spirit of enjoyment.  

One of the pearls of wisdom behind the celebration is to reorientate Muslims of their single belief and remind them of social values ​​such as visitation and compassion among relatives, acquaintances, and friends. The first factor in play here is the Eid prayer, which brings together the near and far, the old and the young, the poor and the rich, relatives and neighbours. The legitimation of fitr zakat and distribution of the sacrificial meat is another essential fact here. While the first is a right of the poor and needy, the second is given to the poor, relatives, and neighbours who deserve it.

Eid celebration and tradition

Islam allows Muslims to celebrate Eid according to their traditions, provided that these do not violate the shariah. The clearest example that shows tolerance in this regard is Hz. Aisha is this narration: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, “Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) !” It happened on Eid day, and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation, and this is our Eid.”(Muslim, Îdeyn, 16; Bukhari, Îdeyn, 3)

Another example is the Prophet’s watching the Abyssinian dances of spear shields in the Masjid an-Nabawi together with Aisha and saying, “Carry on, O tribe of Arfida!” to say.

It is possible to say that Eid festivals have been one of the most powerful tools for the transfer of religious and customary values ​​from generation to generation.  However, many holidays and celebrations today are nothing but the consolidation of ideas and ideologies in the minds of future generations for commercial, religious, political, and similar purposes. It is common today that some young people have turned these blessed days into an opportunity to transgress what Allah has forbidden and to exceed their limits due to the influence non-Islamic holidays. These acts pose a great threat to morality and religious values. Parents and the rest of society need to be aware of this threat and prevent its impact from growing. It should also create alternatives to negative thoughts that may harm Islamic values, culture, and heritage.

Eid as an Opportunity for Unity and Together

Islam has always provided Muslims with principles that unite them and ensure their unity in matters of belief and practice. The five pillars of Islam are also based on this divine principle. Unifying factors like kinship, neighbourliness, friendship, compatriotism are preached on Eid days. These principles are sufficient to end the conflicts among Muslims and be a reason for Islamic brotherhood and unity on the path of the Messenger of Allah.

Finally, I would like to end my note with this verse: “Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Al-An’am:162)