Saturday, September 19, 2009

Congratulate One Another On Eid (Raya) Days

Congratulating one another on the days of ‘Eid

People may exchange congratulations and good greetings on Eid, no matter what form the words take. For example they may say to one another, “Taqabbal Allâhu minnaa wa minkum (May Allâh accept [the fast and worship] from us and from you” or “Eid mubarak” and “Selamat Hari Raya” (in the Malay language, as normally practiced locally) or any other similar permissible greetings.

Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him), when people met one another on the day of Eid, they would say, ‘Taqabbal Allâhu minnaa wa minka (May Allâh accept from us and from you).’” (Ibn Hajar. Its isnaad is hasan).

The practice of exchanging greetings was well-known at the time of the Sahabat (Companions of the Prophet) and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it. There are reports which indicate that it is permissible to congratulate people on special occasions. The Sahabat used to congratulate one another when something good happened, such as when Allâh accepted a person’s repentance and so on. There is no doubt that congratulating others in this way is one of the noblest kinds of good manners and one of the highest social qualities among Muslims.

At the very least, one can return Eid greetings when they are given to you, and remain silent if nothing is said, as Imam Ahmad (may Allâh have mercy on him) said: “If someone congratulates me, I return the greeting, but I do not initiate it.”

Whoever misses solatul ‘Eid (‘Eid prayer) with the congregation may pray two raka’at. In Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari we find in the chapter entitled: “Whoever missed the ‘Eid prayer should pray two Raka’at, and similarly the women and those who are at home and in the villages should do so, as is confirmed by the
statement of the Prophet (!):
“O Muslims, this our ‘Eid”. Anas ibn Malik at Az-Zaawiyah ordered his slave ibn Abee Ghaneeyah to collect his (Anas’s) family and off-springs. Anas led prayer similar to that offered by townspeople and recited takbir similar to theirs. ‘Ekrimah said: “The villagers should gather on the day of ‘Eid and offer two raka’at as the Imam does.” ‘Ataa said, “Whoever misses the ‘Eid prayer should pray two raka’ah.” [Sahih Al-Buukhari: vol. 2, p. 55, chapter. 25].

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