The Concept of Festivals in Islam

The Concept of Festivals in Islam

Dr. Mahmood A. Ghazi

Festivals and celebrations are common to all peoples and civilizations. Every nation, ancient and modern, has occasions of happiness and joy which are celebrated by all and sundry. In some civilizations we find a host of such celebrations providing frequent opportunities to people to express their joy and happiness. If we examine these festivals, we find that these are commemorations of events having a limited interest and relevance.

There are festivals celebrated to commemorate birth of a leader or a ruler who may be a great personality in his own right and may have contributed to the service of his people; but, looking from a global and pan-human perspective, the relevance of his work to mankind in general is very limited and that, too, in the areas adjoining the country of the leader or the ruler. There are festivals celebrated to commemorate victories in wars and battles. There have been millions of wars in the history of mankind. In every such war one of the parties must have come out victorious. If the victory in a war is considered to be a justification for the celebration of festivals then in each country and nation there will be so many festivals and celebrations that perhaps all 365 days of calendar will not be sufficient to provide room to celebrate such victories.

In some nations, the establishment of states and empires is taken to be an event worth celebration. Such celebrations will again be limited to that particular people or nation and will hardly attract the attention of those outside the borders of that empire or state.

Islam has not accepted these considerations to be the basis of Muslim festivals. It has given two important festivals to the Muslims, which are being celebrated from the days of the Prophet (ﷺ). These two festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, represent two really international occasions for the children of Adam and daughters of Eve to get together on a common platform and express not only their solidarity to each other but also their joy and happiness coupled with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty. These two festival do not seek to commemorate the transient and limited considerations like other civilizations. Rather, these two Islamic festivals commemorate two great event in the history of mankind which have changed the course of history round the globe, have given a new meaning to culture and civilization, and provided basis for a universal brotherhood, sacrifices and spiritual purification.

Eid ul Fitr:

Eid ul Fitr is, thus, a unique festival both in its appearance and spirit. On one hand, it represents the universal brotherhood and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah which transcends all racial, colour, linguistic and parochial prejudices. On other hand, it is permeated with a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness to the Almighty on the greatest bounty He has showered on the Muslim Ummah in the form of the Quran - the last revealed Divine guidance.

The Qur'an being the living miracle of the Prophet (ﷺ) of Islam, constitutes a perennial source of guidance for the Muslims to revive their attachment to the Divine Book and to re-invigorate their inner self by reintegrating themselves with the Divine message.

Eid-ul-Fitr is also a thanksgiving occasion on the successful completion of one month spiritual, moral and academic training programme every Muslim undergoes during the month of Ramadan. The fasting exercise provides a spiritual uplift which brings the believers nearer to the angelic world and helps them in shedding the corporeal and carnal desires so strongly at work in every human being. This conscious and volunteer self-control provides a moral dimension to the personality of the believers. The practice of collective prayers of Tarawih and special sessions of the Qur’anic reading give sufficient insight to a Muslim in the message of the Qur'an—that insight which seeps the candle burning throughout the year, to be re-lit and recharged next year. Eid-ul-Fitr is an expression of thanks to the Almighty for providing this unique opportunity to the believers.

Eid ul Azha:

Eid-ul-Azha, commonly known as Eid-e-Qurbani, is celebrated with great religious fervour throughout the world by Muslims on the 10th of Zilhajj i.e. the day following Hajj. On this auspicious day, special thanksgiving prayers are offered in large mosques in cities, towns and villages where Muslims gather to exchange greetings and also to get acquainted with the well-being of others. Those who are not under the burden of any debt and can afford to sacrifice animals to commemorate the great tradition set by Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS).who, abiding by a Divine Command, prepared himself to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS), in the way of Allah. When Hadhrat lbrahim (AS) revealed the Divine Command to his son, Hadhrat Ismail (AS), he unhesitatingly offered himself for sacrifice as ordained to his father, thus setting the supreme example of obedience and total surrender to the Will of Allah.

The tradition set by Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) and his son Hadhrat Ismail (AS) epitomizes man's readiness to surrender his entire self before his Creator by giving away his most precious worldly possession in the name of Allah, an act which does not go unrewarded in His scheme of things. The Holy Qur'an recounts the event:

"When they (Ibrahim and Ismail) submitted before the Will of Allah and (Ibrahim) laid. (His son) prostrate, we called out: O Ibrahim, you have confirmed your dream. Thus do we reward the good. That was indeed a trying test, so we ransomed him for a great sacrifice, and left (his hallowed memory) for posterity." As-Saffat: 103-108.

Eid-ul-Azha is also the occasion of thanksgiving for the performing of Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah), which is one of the five pillars on which the edifice of our great religion stands. The obligatory pilgrimage crowns the religious performance of one's life. Since making this pilgrimage requires financial means and the ability to provide for one's family in advance, those who perform the Hajj are identified with a certain amount of economic well-being.

Under injunction from Allah the Almighty, Muslims from all over the world carry forward-the great tradition of Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) by sacrificing animals in the name of Allah to commemorate the great example of total submission and complete obedience to Allah. They sacrifice goats, sheep or other animals on three days after the pilgrimage. Those who cannot proceed to the Holy Land to perform Hajj but have the means to purchase sacrificial animals follow the tradition at home, and thus remain spiritually linked to the Islamic teachings of Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) and other prophets, which were ultimately completed and incorporated through the Last of the prophets, Muhammad (ﷺ)

A Universal Religion:

Islam is a universal, eternal religion based on reason which encompasses the religious experiences of other prophets. Not only does it embody all the basic tenets of other religions and Shariah of other Prophets, but also has refined several of those to bring them incomplete harmony with nature. That is why it is called Deen-e-Fitrat. Islam does not demand anything of its followers that is beyond their capacity. From the recital of the Kalima to the offering of prayers, fasting, giving of alms and the performance of the Hajj (which also includes adherence to the Ibrahim (AS) tradition of sacrifice) there is nothing that a person cannot do to remain within the fold of Islam.

The commemoration of the tradition of Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) does not restrict its practice to participation in Eid festivities only, but also expects of the Muslims to be ever prepared to give away the most valuable possessions in the way of Allah whenever the need arises. It implies coming to the aid of the poor and the needy and also seeks to mellow the temperament and social behaviour of the faithful towards their fellow Muslims and humanity at large. Eid-ul-Azha teaches self-denial and submission to Allah's Command as also steadfastness in times of trials and tribulations, purification of soul and, above all, the unity of Muslim Ummah.

(Courtesy: Dawah Lights)