The Book of Prayer - Two Eids

كتاب صلاة العيدين

Chapter 4: Concession Allowing Play That Involves No Disobedience During The Days Of 'Id

`A'isha reported

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came (to my apartment) while there were two girls with me singing the song of the Battle of Bu`ath. He lay down on the bed and turned away his face. Then came Abu Bakr and he scolded me and said: Oh! this musical instrument of the devil in the house of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned towards him and said: Leave them alone. And when he (the Holy Prophet) became unattentive, I hinted them and they went out, and it was the day of `Id and the black men were playing with shields and spears. (I do not remember) whether I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) or whether he said to me if I desired to see (that sport). I said: Yes. I stood behind him with his face parallel to my face, and he said: O Banu Arfada, be busy (in your sports) till I was satiated. He said (to me): Is that enough? I said: Yes. Upon this he asked me to go.

'A'isha reported

Abu Bakr came to see me and I had two girls with me from among the girls of the Ansar and they were singing what the Ansar recited to one another at the Battle of Bu'ath. They were not, however, singing girls. Upon this Abu Bakr said: What I (the playing of) this wind instrument of Satan in the house of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and this too on 'Id day? Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Abu Bakr, every people have a festival and it is our festival (so let them play on).

This hadith has been narrated by Hisham with the same chain of transmitters but (the narrators) did not make mention of the mosque.

Abu Huraira reported

While the Abyssinians were busy playing with their arms in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 'Umar b. Khattab came there. He bent down to take up pebbles to throw at them (in order to make them go off). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: 'Umar, leave them alone.