‘Eed (festival) is a happy occasion, during which one is transported to gardens of joy and delight. It is a festival of joy and happiness, as it is an opportunity for people to entertain themselves and take rest.

Every nation has its own festivals, and, in Islam, we have no festivals other than the weekly festival of Friday and the annual festivals of Al-Adh-ha and Al-Fitr. As for Friday, the Prophet said: “This is a day that Allah The Almighty made a festival for the Muslims, so whoever comes for the Friday prayer should take a bath and apply perfume if it is available (before coming). You also should use Siwaak (tooth stick).” [Ibn Maajah (Al-Albaani: Hasan)]

With regard to the evidence of the annual festivals, Anas reported, “When the Messenger of Allah came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these two days?” They said, “We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger said: “Allah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of Al-Adh-ha and the day of Al-Fitr.” [Abu Daawood (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]

Hence, it is absolutely prohibited for Muslims to celebrate or participate in the festivals of the non-Muslims or congratulate them during these festivals such as New Year, Christmas, Nowrouz (Persian New Year), Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and so on. Moreover, the Prophet said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” ‎[Abu Daawood (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]‎

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, here is a concise reminder about the guidance of the Prophet and his honorable Companions regarding celebrating the Ummah’s festivals.

The Prophet and his honorable companions used to adorn themselves on the occasion of ‘Eed.

Al-Firyaabi narrated with authentic Isnaad (chain of transmission) on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he used to bathe and apply perfume on the occasion of ‘Eed Al-Fitr.

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, took a brocade cloak that was for sale in the market and brought it to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O Messenger of Allah, buy this and adorn yourself with it for ‘Eed and for receiving delegations.” The Messenger said to him: “Rather, this is the dress of one who has no share of piety (or of reward in the Hereafter).” Some time passed after this incident, and then the Prophet sent a (similar) cloak to him. 'Umar brought that cloak back to the Prophet and said, 'You have sent this to me, and you said about a similar one what you said?' The Prophet said: 'I have sent it to you so that you may obtain money by selling it.” [Al-Bukhari]

Thus, the Prophet agreed with ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, on the idea of adorning oneself for ‘Eed, but he denounced him for choosing this cloak because it was made of silk. [Ibn Hajar in Fat-h Al-Baari]

• Dying the hair black: The Prophet forbade this act saying: “Change the greyness or whiteness of the hair, but avoid black.” [Abu Daawood (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]

• Shaving or trimming the beard (for men): This is a violation of the commandments of the Prophet who said: “Let the beard grow, trim the moustache, dye your grey hair and avoid imitating the Jews and the Christians.” [Ahmad (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)] Indeed, the beard of the Prophet as his Companions described it, was thick and full. [Muslim]

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the best guidance is the guidance of our beloved Prophet .

• Letting garments hang below the ankle (for men): This is a flagrant violation of the guidance of the Prophet who said: “The lower garment of a believer should be half way below the knees. He is guilty of no sin if it reaches the ankles. That which is below the ankles is in the Fire (of Hell). Allah will not look at one who allows his lower garment to trail out of vanity.” [Ahmad and others (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]
• Trimming or removing eyebrow hair for both women (and men): This is a serious sin that may cause one to be expelled from the mercy of Allah The Almighty, Allah forbid. The Prophet said: “Allah has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those women who have themselves tattooed, and those women who remove hair from eyebrows and those who get their hair removed from their eyebrows, and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth for beauty, whereby they change the creation of Allah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

• Women wearing inappropriate clothes: It is prohibited for a woman to wear light, short, tight or revealing clothes, or trousers that show her charms. This is considered a religious violation, even if this is in the presence of women or Mahram (non- marriageable) men, as the Prophet said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not yet seen: men with whips like the tails of cows with which they strike the people – (meaning wrongfully and aggressively) – and women who are clothed yet naked, and walk with an enticing gait. Their heads will appear like the humps of the Bactrian camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they will not smell its fragrance which is perceptible from such and such a distance.” [Muslim]