All praise and gratitude are due to Allaah for His kindness, favour, and blessings. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah's worshipping servant and Messenger. May Allaah grant commendation and protection to His Messenger, as well as to the Messenger's family, Companions, and brothers in Islaam. Allaah is the Greatest. Allaah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, and to Him alone belongs all praise. Servants of Allaah, every set of people has days which it commemorates repeatedly at specific times. As for us, the people of Islaam, we have two such days: 'Eed al-Ad-haa and 'Eed al-Fitr. Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that when Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) came to al-Madeenah, there were two designated days the people had for enjoyment. He asked, "What are these two days?" The people replied, "We use to enjoy ourselves on them during jaahiliyyah (the era of ignorance prior to Islaam)." Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) then told them, "Allaah has indeed given you a substitute for them that is even better than them: 'Eed al-Ad-haa and 'Eed al-Fitr." This was collected by Aboo Daawood. Part of the guidance of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) regarding 'Eed was that if it fell on a Friday, he would perform the 'Eed prayer as well as the Friday prayer. However, in the case of people who attended the 'Eed prayer, he granted them the concession to not attend the Friday prayer and instructed them to pray Thuhr instead, at its usual time, and the best guidance is that of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). This day of 'Eed is the most virtuous of days to Allaah. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, "The greatest of days to Allaah is the Day of Sacrifice, and then the day when people are settled in Minaa." This was collected by Aboo Daawood. "The day when people are settled in Minaa" is the eleventh of Thul-Hijjah, the day immediately following the Day of Sacrifice; and the Day of Sacrifice is the first of the days of 'Eed, and it is the day of the Greater Hajj. It was given that name because several major acts of worship are performed on it such as being in Muzdalifah [i.e. in the early morning], stoning Jamratul-'Aqabah, offering one's sacrifice, shaving one's head, performing Tawaaf al-Ifaadah, and performing the 'Eed prayer. In addition, it is recommended to set out early to the 'Eed prayer, and to go from one route and return from another. It is also recommended to mention words of prayer to each other for 'Eed by saying what was narrated from Jubayr ibn Nufayr. He said, "When the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) met each other on 'Eed, they would say to one another, 'taqabballallaahu minnaa wa minkum' (we pray that Allaah accepts the deeds that we ourselves performed, and the deeds that you performed as well)'." Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy upon him) graded its chain of narration authentic (hasan). The time for exchanging words such as those is after the 'Eed prayer, as done by the Companions. Among the important acts of worship on this day is offering a sacrifice after the 'Eed prayer. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said during a sermon he delivered, "The first thing with which we begin this day of ours is that we pray, then return, and then sacrifice. Anyone who does that has complied with our Sunnah." This was collected by al-Bukhaaree. On this day, it is encouraged to show happiness, uphold ties of kinship, do away with differences and grudges, pardon others, and to be generous and accommodating towards one's dependents and also make them happy. There is nothing wrong with permissible forms of playing and recreation, since the teachings of our religion allow for that. It is also encouraged to say the takbeer after the five daily prayers beginning from Fajr on the Day of 'Arafah until the end of the third Day of Tashreeq (i.e. 13th Thul-Hijjah) which is the fourth day of 'Eed. One of the wordings that can be said is: "Allaah is the Greatest. Allaah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, and to Him alone belongs all praise." Servants of Allaah, let this 'Eed of yours be one of happiness, and uphold the acts of worship prescribed by your religion. In addition, be kind to the poor and needy, and relieve them of needing to ask of anyone on this day. Hope for Allaah's reward, and remember that Allaah's mercy is always near to those who strive to worship Allaah in the best way. We beseech Allaah to bless all of us with acceptance of our deeds, protection against adversities, and forgiveness for wrongdoing". --SPA 10:54 LOCAL TIME 07:54 GMT 0007 www.spa.gov.sa/w1382138