EID-UL-ADHA: DAY OF CELEBRATION AND OBEDIENCE

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds and salutations and blessings upon Muhammad
(Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him). Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh.

The most beloved day to Allah is the day of slaughter which is the day of Eid-ul-Adha. Eid is a
day of celebration for all Muslims and an act of worship, which in turns requires obedience
since there are things to do and not do on this day. What are the things to do on this day
and things to avoid as much as possible? This is what I will discuss with you Inshallah.

First and foremost is the Takbeeraat (i.e., Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Lailahaillah, Allahu
Akbar Allahu Akbar Walillah-il-hamd). This actually starts on the day of Arafah after Salatul
Fajr (Subh). We are to say the Takbeeraat from after Fajr of Yawmul Arafah to after Asr of
the last days of Tashreeq (the three days after Eid) after every obligatory prayer. This can be
said after the adhkar of each salah and avoid saying it in unison. There is no evidence
supporting the act of saying the Takbeeraat in unison and if this was a great thing to do the
Sahabas would have beaten us to it, as they are the best of generation in this Ummah. Make
sure to say a lot of it on the day of Eid either while waiting for the Imam or walking to the
Musalah (where you will pray the Eid prayer). “(He wants that you) must complete the
same number (of days), and that you glorify Allah [i.e., to say Takbir] for having guided
you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (Baqarah:185)

On the day of Eid, make sure to wear your best clothing, apply the perfume (specifically for
men as women are prohibited to use it), and perform ghusl to the Musalah. Abdullah Ibn
Umar, May Allah be pleased with him, used to perform ghusl on the day of Eid before he
would depart for prayer. It is to be noted that sisters shouldn’t go overboard when “wearing
their best clothing”. What is overboard? This is tabarruj (displaying one’s beauty). What
constitute as tabarruj is a sister applying perfume, powder on face, posting her picture to
social media, not observing proper hijab and wearing clothes that draw men’s attention.
Tabarruj is haram and many sisters fall into it whether knowingly or unknowingly. “And
abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as[was] the display of the former
times of ignorance.” – Ahzab: 33. The woman is ‘Awrah; and when she goes out, the devil
entices her and uses her to entice others. [At-Tirmidhi]

Walk to the Musalah if you are able to. As the Prophet (Peace and blessings upon him) used
to walk to the prayer and change his route when coming back from it. Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah
(may Allah be pleased with him) said: “On the day of Eid, the Prophet (Peace and Blessings
Be Upon Him) used to vary his route” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 986). It is recommended to
change route when going back home after the prayer. And pay attention to the khutbah
after the prayer. Women should also come to the Musalah including the ones on menses
but they would have to be far away from the prayer ground. It is recommended to eat
before going for the prayer and it is forbidden to fast on this day and also on the days of
Tashreeq for the one who is going to slaughter on those days.

Slaughtering the animal is a very important part of Eid-ul-Adha. It is to be noted that the one
who is going to sacrifice the animal should not shave or cut any of his bodily hairs or nails
before slaughtering. The animal is to be slaughtered after the Imam has slaughtered his own
animal till Ayaamu Tashreeq (3 days after Eid). Slaughtering before the prayer is not
accepted and would require you to slaughter another one as narrated from the prophet. It
should be slaughtered in the name of Allah (i.e., Bismillah Allahu Akbar) and the meat
divided into three, one-third for the owner and family, one-third for the poor, one-third as
gift. We then eat from the animal.

As this is a day of celebration we shouldn’t go overboard as this day is the most beloved to
Allah. We should stay away from celebrating with haram as we see people do. The likes of
music, alcohol, free mixing, movies, we should stay away from these things. It is a day of
obedience too and it is an act of worship, don’t waste the opportunity. Before and after the
prayer we see men and women, who are non-mahram to each other, free mix. Some chat
about unnecessary things under the guise of greeting. Some even host gatherings they call
“Eid Fiesta”, and what happens there is just fahisa (immoralities) and fitnah(corruption).
Some ask for the women’s picture to post, some brothers post their women (wives,
children, siblings). All of these are prohibited and we seek Allah’s refuge. Wallahi, Muslims
should fear Allah and stay away from all these. People want to celebrate Eid, which is not a
bad, but they forget their limits Allah placed. Imagine sinning on the day is the most beloved
to Allah. Let’s all strive to celebrate within the limits Allah placed.

Strive to keep family ties on this day. Greet and have fun with your extended family. If you
are far away from them, call them. A Muslim keeps his family ties. And stay away from
animosity, evil and backbiting. Backbiting is not a good trait of a Muslim; we should only
speak good of our brothers.

Eid-ul-Adha is a memorable day for a Muslim. And it is a blessing from Allah. We should
congratulate each other on this day by saying, “Taqabbala llahu minna wa minkum”; may
Allah accept it from us and from you. This day teaches us to be closer to Allah while in the
spirit of celebration. We glorify him on this day, which helps to be always God conscious.
Islam is not against celebration but there are limits. We take the middle path; we are not lax
and we do not go overboard. We learn to keep ties of kinship and to be generous, and we
learn to be appreciative of what Allah has given us. I ask Allah to forgive me for whatever
wrong have said, and anything wrong I said is from me and Shaytan, and Allah knows best.
May Allah keep us steadfast and grant us Jannatu-l-Firdaus. Taqabbala llahu minna wa
minkum.