Posted on

The ’Eed in Islaam – Its Meaning and Reality

eedmubarakImaam Muhammad Amaan Ibn ’Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H) [1]

Allaah has legislated two ’Eed (days of festivities) for the Muslims in Islaam, and there is no third day.  So He legislated each ’Eed after a significant act of worship and a pillar from the pillars of Islaam.  One of them is ’Eedul-Fitr and the other is ’Eedul-Adhaa. [2]

As for ’Eedul-Fitr, then Allaah has legislated it to be upon the first day of the month of Shawwaal after completing the rites of fasting and night Prayer and other than those two forms of worship, from the types of acts that bring one closer to Allaah.  These are the acts of worship that bring the servant closer to Allaah in the blessed month of Ramadaan.  Allaah the Exalted has legislated fasting in this blessed month and He has made it a pillar from the pillars of the Religion of Islaam.  And Allaah has set aside for fasting a reward that He has not set aside for any other act of worship.  Therefore, the Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said in that which he narrated from his Lord, ‘Allaah the Mighty and Majestic said, ‘Every deed the son of Aadam does is for himself, except for fasting.  It is for Me and I will grant the reward for it.” And there occurs in the narration of al-Bukhaaree, “He abandons his food and his drink and his desires for My sake.” [3] So what a benevolent and significant connection this is!  “Except for fasting, since it is for Me.”  The connection shows the generosity and honour that Allaah has bestowed upon His fasting servant.  So the Lord the Exalted connects the deed of His servant to Himself the Mighty and Majestic and He informs that He will grant His servant the reward for it.  It is a reward whose excellence and benevolence cannot by accounted by anyone, except for Allaah the Glorified.  Indeed, He is the Bestower of Goodness, the Generous.

Indeed, it has been authentically reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) that he said, “Whosoever fasts the month of Ramadaan with eemaan (faith in Allaah) and hoping for the reward of Allaah, then whatever has previously put forth of sins is forgiven.” [4] Likewise, it has been authentically reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi sallam) that he said, “Whosoever stands for Prayer on the night of al-Qadr (decree) out of eemaan and hoping for the reward of Allaah will have whatever has put forth of sins forgiven.” [5] So this is how Allaah has legislated the fast for us and how He has set aside the reward for it – the reward of those who observe patient perseverance.

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” [Sooratuz-Zumar 39:10]

Likewise, Allaah has legislated standing for Prayer during the nights of Ramadaan.  And it is a highly emphasized Sunnah established by the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

And so, at the end of this tremendous blessing, Allaah has conferred upon His servants the legislation of ’Eedul-Fitr.  They break their fast after a month of fasting and they enjoy in it the good things that Allaah has made lawful for them.  And they go out to the place of Prayer with the most beautiful clothes that they have and they glorify Allaah the Exalted with the takbeeraat (i.e. saying Allaahu akbar) and they single Him out in worship and they praise Him and give Him thanks.  They do this until they have prayed the two units of the ’Eed Prayer.

So the ’Eedul-Fitr therefore, is a show of gratitude to Allaah the Exalted for this momentous blessing, which we have mentioned previously.  This is how the ’Eed is completed.  Then they leave from the place of Prayer after listening to the sermon which is delivered upon this magnificent occasion.  They leave and perhaps they are immersed in feelings of joy at the blessing of Allaah the Exalted.  Allaah has granted them the success to fast, so they fasted.  Allaah made the night Prayer easy for them, so they prayed it.  Then they offered the ’Eed Prayer as a show of gratitude to Allaah for this success and ease.

Yes, they leave the place of Prayer greeting one another with well wishes for the ’Eed.  This is how the ’Eed is concluded.  They follow up the fasts of Ramadaan with six supererogatory fasts in the month of Shawwaal.  Perhaps Allaah has decreed the fasting of six days in the month of Shawwaal in case of any shortcoming in the fasts of Ramadaan.  Rather, the one who fasts these six days is like one who has fasted for an entire lifetime.  The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever fasts for the month of Ramadaan and follows it up with the six days of Shawwaal is like one who has fasted for an entire lifetime.” [6] And this is so that people do not prolong the festivities of the ’Eed into extravagance and luxuriousness.

This is ’Eedul-Fitr and this is its meaning and its reality.  And Allaah knows best.

As for ’Eedul-Adhaa, then Allaah has legislated it for us after an act of worship, which, in reality, is Jihaad without fighting.  And it is the act of worship known as Hajj (pilgrimage) to the Sacred House of Allaah.  Indeed, this meaning has been authentically narrated from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the hadeeth of ’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa) collected by al-Bukhaaree when she asked the Messenger of Allaah, (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “Is there is Jihaad for the women?”  So he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “They have a Jihaad with no fighting: the Hajj and the ’Umrah.” [7]

And shortly before ending the rites of this tremendous act of worship – Hajj to the Sacred House of Allaah – Allaah has legislated ’Eedul-Adhaa for His servants on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah after Allaah conferred upon the pilgrims to His House that they would stop on the Day of ’Arafah humble, repentant and submissive.  And those who are not pilgrims fast on that day as worship.  This is the fast through which Allaah expiates whatever has occurred in the preceding year and in the year to come.  So it is a great ’Eed after a great day.  It is a day of gratitude to Allaah the Bestower of blessing and excellence for the reward He has granted for the Hajj and for fasting.

And in this day, the servants of Allaah draw closer to Allaah, regardless of whether they are pilgrims or not.  They perform the sacrifice so that the less fortunate and needy Muslims may eat from it after they themselves have eaten what is easy from it, in following the example of their Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and in gratitude to their Lord.  And they conclude this day and the three days that come after it with the remembrance of Allaah the Exalted along with partaking in the comforts and enjoyments of good things that Allaah has made lawful for them from foods and drinks and other good things from the blessings of Allaah that cannot be enumerated or counted.  This is how the lofty meanings and profound wisdom or the two ’Eeds of Islaam become apparent: ’Eedul-Fitr and ’Eedul-Adhaa.

As for these innovated gatherings which occur on various occasions, that some of the people have innovated after the passing the early virtuous generations for whom goodness was testified, then they have invented these gatherings and given them the title of ‘Islaamic celebrations.’  So these have nothing to do with Islaam at all.  Rather, they are newly invented matters and every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance.

So after all of that, these places also include the intermingling of the genders and they are an arena of social corruption and amusement and diversion and drums and dancing and clapping.  They include these and other acts of al-Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic times of ignorance), which are known to one who is familiar with these celebrations.  And using the term, ‘Islaamic celebrations’ after all of that for these innovated gatherings is considered, in my view, a crime against Islaam.  And it is an affair that is not hidden from anyone with any insight or study into his Religion.  And from the examples of these innovated gatherings is: al-Mawlidun-Nabawee (celebration of the Prophet’s birthday) and gathering for the night of al-Israa‘ (the Prophet’s night journey) and gathering for the middle night of the month of Sha’baan.  Lastly, I add to this the other gatherings of Jaahiliyyah such as the ’Eed of al-Husayn and Zaynab and the ’Eed of al-Badawee and other than these two from the gatherings of Jaahiliyyah that Shaytaan has adorned for some people.  And it is with great regret that we see the common folk of the Muslims and those who are like the common folk being more energetic in the establishment of these gatherings than in the establishment of the obligatory acts of worship legislated in the Sharee’ah.  And Allaah is One from whom aid is sought.

Endnotes:

[1]: Taken from al-Majallatul-Buhoothil-Islaamiyyah, Volume 8, Issue 3, Dhul-Hijjah 1395H, corresponding to December 1975CE, Islamic University of al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah.

[2]: Translator’s Note: When the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) arrived at al-Madeenah, he found the people celebrating two days.  So he said, “Indeed, Allaah has exchanged these two days with two better days for you: the day of an-Nahr (sacrifice) and the day of al-Fitr (feast of breaking the Ramadaan fasts).”  Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1134), Aboo Ya’laa in his Musnad (no. 3841), Ahmad in his Musnad (3/178, 250), al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/294), al-Bayhaqee (3/277) and al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah (no. 1098).  It was classified as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Silsilatus-Saheehah (no. 2021).

[3]: Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 1894, 1904) and Muslim (no. 1151).

[4]: Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 34), Muslim (no. 1272), at-Tirmidhee (no. 618), an-Nasaa‘ee (no. 1592) and Ibn Maajah (no. 1631).

[5]: Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 1777), Muslim (no. 1273), at-Tirmidhee (no. 735), an-Nasaa‘ee (no. 2178) and Ibn Maajah (no. 1316).

[6]: Related by Muslim (no. 1164), Aboo Daawood (no. 2433), at-Tirmidhee (no. 759) and Ibn Maajah (no. 1716).

[7]: Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 2676), Ibn Maajah (no. 2896), Ahmad in al-Musnad (no. 23826).

Translation by Maaz Qureshi

Posted on

An Illustration of How Shaykhs: Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee and Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee Have Followed the Manhaj of the Salaf in Safeguarding the Religion of Allaah against Deviant Ideologies and Orientations

The Excellence of the Scholars of the Salaf in Safeguarding the Religion:

Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H) wrote in his famous work, ar-Radd ’alal-Jahmiyyah waz-Zanaadiqah (p. 55-56) of the Daaruth-Thabaat print, 1st edition, 1425H, some introductory words that are repeated often in Salafee gatherings up until today,

Famous introductory words of Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H)
Famous introductory words of Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H)

“All praise is for Allaah who, in every age and intervals between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people of knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance and patiently bearing ill-treatment and harm.  With the Book of Allaah, they give life to the dead, and by Allaah’s Light they give sight to the blind.  How many a person killed by Iblees have they revived.  How many people astray and wandering have they guided.  How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile the people have been towards them.  They expel from the Book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant-ones – those who uphold the banner of innovation and who unleash the fitnah (trial and discord), who differ about the Book, oppose the Book and agree to oppose the Book.  Those who speak about Allaah and His Book without knowledge, and who argue about what is ambiguous in the Book, and deceive the ignorant with such ambiguities.  So we seek refuge in Allaah from the fitan (trials and discord) of the misguided-ones.”

Refutation upon the Jahmiyyah and the Heretics - Imaam Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal (d.214H)
Refutation upon the Jahmiyyah and the Heretics – Imaam Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal (d.214H)

Imaam Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee (d.1417H) and al-’Allaamah Rabee’ Ibn Haadee Have Safeguarded the Ummah in Modern Times Against the Plots of the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen:

This is a phenomenon we continue to see from the Scholars in our times.  Truly, a modern-day example of such Scholars can be found in the likes of Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Ibn ’Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H) – rahimahullaah – and Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee – hafidhahullaah.

[fap_track id=”3515″ layout=”list” enqueue=”no” button_enqueue=”no”]

Shaykh ’Abdullaah Ibn Salfeeq adh-Dhufayree said,

“And the fitan (trials, tribulations) have not ceased to overcome the Muslims, from the callers to fitan and those who split up the Muslims, up until there emerged in these times a dangerous da’wah, a dangerous and political da’wah.  It is the da’wah of the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen.

It emerged in the Arab world and manifested political work and set out to expose the rulers.  And it began to wage war against the authorities and it did not give any importance to al-’aqeedah (belief, creed), up until it squandered the beliefs of the Muslims and up until it split up their unity and it allied itself with the Raafidah of Iran.  And they joined hands with the polytheists.  Rather, with the Jews and the Christians.

It is a wicked da’wah.  It is a da’wah that has split up the Muslims in every Arab and Islaamic country.  However, Allaah fore-ordained Scholars who would stand in opposition to these false and innovated orientations.  So Allaah fore-ordained Rabbaanee Scholars [1] who would expose and lay bare these wicked political orientations.  From them was our Shaykh, al-Imaam, al-’Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Ibn ’Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H) – rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa – from the land of Africa.  So the Religion does not recognize an Arab, or an African, or a white person, or a black person.  However, the Religion recognizes the one who holds fast to the Book and the Sunnah.  So Allaah aids him and raises him in esteem.  So Allaah brought about victory through the da’wah of this Scholar and Allaah exposed the reality of the da’wah of al-Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen; this political da’wah, which split up the Muslims and brought about revolutions in the name of change.

Likewise, there emerged our Shaykh, Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee – hafidhahullaah – who exposed this wicked da’wah, this political da’wah, which opposes the Book and the Sunnah, and which opposes what the Companions (radiyallaahu ’anhum) were upon, and which opposes what the Salaf were upon.  They (i.e. the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen) call to political work and they do not give importance to ’aqeedah and Tawheed.  And they form alliances with the Raafidah and Iran and they fight Ahlus-Sunnah and Islaam in the name of Islaam and Jihaad, as they claim. [2] So Allaah exposed their plots and the common-folk became aware of the danger that this group poses, let alone the Scholars, and let alone the students of knowledge and the teachers.

So this is how Allaah disgraces the people of innovation and exposes them.  And Allaah fore-ordains sincere and truthful Rabbaanee Scholars who hold fast to the Book and the Sunnah.  So Allaah has made manifest at the hands of these Scholars the faults of these groups and He has exposed their realities and their political aims, which split up the Muslims.” [3]

Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee Defends his Shaykh, Imaam Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee (d.1417H) and Testifies to His Mastery of ’Aqeedah:

[fap_track id=”3525″ layout=”list” enqueue=”no” button_enqueue=”no”]

"It is obligatory to subdue the people of innovation. And it is obligatory to publicize their affair and to warn against them. This is what our Salaf used to do." - Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Ibn 'Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H)
“It is obligatory to subdue the people of innovation. And it is obligatory to publicize their affair and to warn against them. This is what our Salaf used to do.” – Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Ibn ‘Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H)

A questioner said in the midst of his question, “So you find them speaking about the callers to Salafiyyah, to the extent that one of them who studies the books of ’aqeedah in this country mocks Shaykh Muhammad Amaan saying, ‘’aqeedah, ’aqeedah!!!’  They mock Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee and they praise Suroor from atop the pulpit saying that he is Zaynul-’Aabideen.  And he is the one whom Shaykh Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) said about his speech concerning ’aqeedah that this speech is apostasy from Islaam and this book must be torn up. [4] And they praise such a caller.”

Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee answered,

“With regards to those youth who ridicule him, by Allaah I have not tasted the sweetness of ’aqeedah in Tawheedul-Asmaa‘ was-Sifaat especially, except at the hands of this man: Shaykh Muhammad Amaan.  By Allaah he was familiar with it and he presented it exceptionally.  And by Allaah, if those who are mocking him were to get the opportunity to study under him, it would be nobility and an honour for them.  By Allaah, I have not seen anyone better in studying the ’aqeedah, or anyone like this man in presenting it.  And I have gone to those who were more knowledgeable and older than him.  However, by Allaah, I have not seen anyone like this great man, he had mastered the presentation of the ’aqeedah.  So these ones are ridiculing him?!”

Major Scholars of Our Times Have Testified to Shaykh Rabee’s Acumen in Refuting Ideologies and Orientations that are Foreign to the Salafee Manhaj:

Shaykh ’Alee Ibn Yahyaa al-Haddaadee – hafidhahullaah – said,

“During one of Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee’s blessed visits to the city of Riyadh – may Allaah protect it – I accompanied Shaykh Rabee’ along with a groups from the students of knowledge, and from them was the Shaykh’s son: Dr. Muhammad Ibn Rabee’, the former professor at the Islaamic University.  So we visited the noble Shaykh, Saalih al-Atram – rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa – in his home.  Indeed, Shaykh Saalih greeted Shaykh Rabee’ with a great reception.  And the discussion centered around various topics.

However, I will never forget the praise that Shaykh Saalih had in that gathering for Shaykh Rabee’. He said words to the effect, “We did not used to know these manaahij (methodologies), except after reading your books.” [5]

The collected works of Shaykh Rabee' Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee
The collected works of Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee

Shaykh Abul-’Abbaas ’Aadil Ibn Mansoor – hafidhahullaah – commented upon the statement of Imaam Ibnul-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H), “No Salafiyyah and no Ikhwaan.  The obligation is for all of the Muslims to be upon one ’aqeedah.” He said,

“There is no hizb (party) named Salafiyyah and no hizb named al-Ikhwaan and no hizb named at-Tableegh.  So we turn the statement of the Shaykh against them.  And the Shaykh did not mean ad-Da’watus-Salafiyyah and he did not intend the Salafee manhaj.  Due to this, one day the Shaykh made a statement about Shaykh Rabee’ that I have not heard him say about anyone else.  Ibnul-’Uthaymeen was an Imaam in knowledge, an Imaam in zuhd (asceticism), an Imaam in fiqh (jurisprudence) and an Imaam in referring back to the truth.  The rulers used to visit Ibnul-’Uthaymeen and they would sit in his gathering and drink coffee with him, like any other individual from the people.  And he had those clear affairs that have been documented and witnessed, but despite that, on the day that he was asked about Shaykh Rabee’, after knowing that Shaykh Rabee’ was a true Salafee and not part of a hizb proclaiming itself as Salafiyyah, what did he answer?  He said, “The likes of Shaykh Rabee’ is asked about me and I am not to be asked about him.” [6]

Endnotes:

[1]: The Rabbaanee Scholar is one possessing deep knowledge and who acts in accordance to his knowledge and teaches it to others in accordance to their level.  Refer to Fathul-Baaree (1/214) of al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.852H). Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) said, “The Salaf were agreed that a Scholar does not deserve the title of Rabbaanee until he recognises and knows the truth, acts upon it, and teaches it to others. So whosoever has knowledge, acts upon it, and teaches this knowledge to others, is considered from the Rabbaaniyyeen.”  Refer to Zaadul-Ma’aad fee Hadee Khayril-’Ibaad (p. 11) of Ibnul-Qayyim.

[2]: Imaam Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420H) said, “I say therefore that it is not correct to say that the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen are from Ahlus-Sunnah, because they wage war against the Sunnah.”  This can be heard on the 356th cassette of the Silsilatul-Hudaa wan-Noor series, entitled, “Hiwaar ma’a Ahad Atbaa’ Muhammad Suroor”, at approximately 24 minutes and 51 seconds into the recording.

[3]: Taken from a Friday sermon delivered by Shaykh ’Abdullaah adh-Dhufayree on the 20th of Rabee’ul-Awwal 1434H.

[4]: The questioner is referring to when the statement of Muhammad Suroor Zaynul-’Aabideen was presented to the noble Scholar.

[fap_track id=”3544″ layout=”list” enqueue=”no” button_enqueue=”no”]

Shaykhul-Islaam ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) – rahimahullaah – was asked in the audio cassette, Aafaatul-Lisaan, “The author of the book, Manhajul-Anbiyaa‘ fid-Da’wah ilallaah, “Indeed, I have perused the books of ’aqeedah.  So I found that all of them are dull and dry, because they are texts and rulings.”  So what is your opinion concerning this speech?

The Shaykh answered,

“This is a grave error.  All of them are dull and dry!!!  I seek refuge with Allaah.  The sound ’aqeedah is not dull and dry.  It is, ‘Allaah said,’ and ‘His Messenger said.’  If he described the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah as being dull and dry, then this is apostasy from Islaam.  We ask Allaah for protection.

This dryness is in turning away from the Religion of Allaah the Exalted, this is dryness.  Turning away from the Religion of Allaah and not acting upon the Sharee’ah of Allaah is called dryness.  Additionally, it is called extremism.  The dull and dry one is the one who turns away from the Religion of Allaah.  The one who writes about ’aqeedah and teaches the people the correct ’aqeedah and whatever the Salafus-Saalih were upon, this one is not dull and dry.  This is the manhaj of the Prophets.  This is the manhaj of the Prophets in calling to Allaah and in clarifying the correct ’aqeedah and warning against whatever opposes it.  This statement is weak and wicked.”

He was then asked, “Is it permissible to sell this book?”

He replied,

“If this statement is in the book, then it is not permissible to sell it.  It is obligatory to tear it up if this statement is within it.  We hope from the writer of the questions that he shows us if it is being sold or not.”

[5]: Refer to: بين الشخ ربيع حفظه الله والشيخ صالح الأطرم رحمه الله

[6]: Refer to the recorded lecture entitled, Kalimah Diman Liqaa‘aat al-Madeenah an-Nabawiyyah ma’a Majmoo’ah minal-Mashaayikh.

Translation by Maaz Qureshi