The Prohibition Explained

The noble hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri establishes a clear prohibition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) against fasting on two specific days: 'Eid al-Fitr (the day of breaking the fast) and 'Eid al-Adha (the day of sacrifice).

Scholarly Commentary

These two days are designated by Allah as days of celebration, feasting, and gratitude. Fasting on them contradicts their very purpose, which is to enjoy the blessings Allah has permitted and to express thankfulness for completing the great act of worship—either the Ramadan fast or the Hajj pilgrimage.

The consensus (ijma') of the scholars is that fasting on these two days is strictly forbidden (haram). This ruling applies even if one has a voluntary fast to make up, as the prohibition is absolute due to the sanctity of these occasions.

The Wisdom Behind the Prohibition

The wisdom is to distinguish the days of worship from the days of celebration. These 'Eids are a divine gift to the Muslim community, a time for communal joy, strengthening family bonds, and remembering Allah through the prescribed Takbir. Fasting would diminish this spirit of festivity and gratitude.

Source Reference

This explanation is based on the classical commentary of "Mishkat al-Masabih" (Book: Fasting, Hadith: Mishkat al-Masabih 2048) and the interpretations of esteemed scholars like Imam Nawawi in his Sharh Sahih Muslim.