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Rulings
on `Eid and Zakat Al-Fitr |
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 disbelieving 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 (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.
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