"The people of the Jahiliyyah had two days each year when they would play. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Al-Madinah he said: 'You had two days when you would play, but Allah (SWT) has given Muslims something instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.'"
The Book of the Prayer for the Two 'Eids - Sunan an-Nasa'i 1556
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes the Islamic foundation for the two Eids, demonstrating how Islam transforms pre-Islamic customs into acts of worship.
Historical Context of Pre-Islamic Festivals
The two days referred to were "Nawruz" and "Mihrajan" - pre-Islamic Persian festivals marked by entertainment and play without religious significance.
These celebrations involved music, dancing, and revelry disconnected from divine worship and spiritual purpose.
Divine Substitution Principle
Allah replaced meaningless celebrations with spiritually significant occasions: Eid al-Fitr following Ramadan's completion and Eid al-Adha commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice.
This demonstrates Islam's methodology of reforming, rather than completely abolishing, existing social practices when beneficial.
Superiority of Islamic Eids
The Eids combine permissible recreation with profound worship: prayers, charity, family visits, and remembrance of Allah.
Unlike pre-Islamic festivals, the Eids begin with congregational prayer, include takbir (declaring Allah's greatness), and emphasize community unity.
They serve as occasions for spiritual renewal and social harmony while maintaining Islamic principles and avoiding prohibited activities.
Legal Rulings Derived
Scholars deduce the prohibition of celebrating non-Islamic religious festivals from this hadith.
The ruling permits appropriate happiness and recreation during Eids while maintaining Islamic decorum and avoiding excess.
This establishes the unique identity of Muslim celebrations distinct from other religious or cultural traditions.