Rulings on `Eid

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

"`Eid" is an Arabic word referring to something habitual, that returns and is repeated. `Eids or festivals are symbols to be found in every nation, including those that are based on revealed scriptures and those that are idolatrous, as well as others, because celebrating festivals is something that is an instinctive part of human nature. All people like to have special occasions to celebrate, where they can come together and express their joy and happiness.

The festivals of the kafir nations may be connected to worldly matters, such as the beginning of the year, the start of an agricultural season, the changing of the weather, the establishment of a state, the accession of a ruler, and so on. They may also be connected to religious occasions, like many of the festivals belonging exclusively to the Jews and Christians, such as the Thursday on which they claim the table was sent down to Jesus, Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, and holidays on which gifts are exchanged. These are celebrated in all European and North American countries nowadays, and in other countries where Christian influence is prevalent, even if the country is not originally Christian. Some so-called Muslims may also join in these holidays, out of ignorance or hypocrisy.
The Magians (Zoroastrians) also have their own festivals, such as Mahrajan, Nowruz and so on.
The Batinis have their own festivals too, such as "`Eid al-Ghadeer", when they claim that the Prophet [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave the khilafah to 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and to the twelve imams after him.