7/36. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1722 — Why Fasting on the Two Eids Is Forbidden
The prohibition of fasting the day of Fitr and the day of Adha
Fasting on Eid: The Meaning of Fitr and Adha
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1722
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1722
حَدَّثَنَا سَهْلُ بْنُ أَبِي سَهْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، قَالَ شَهِدْتُ الْعِيدَ مَعَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ نَهَى عَنْ صِيَامِ هَذَيْنِ الْيَوْمَيْنِ، يَوْمِ الْفِطْرِ وَيَوْمِ الأَضْحَى. أَمَّا يَوْمُ الْفِطْرِ، فَيَوْمُ فِطْرِكُمْ مِنْ صِيَامِكُمْ. وَيَوْمُ الأَضْحَى تَأْكُلُونَ فِيهِ مِنْ لَحْمِ نُسُكِكُمْ .
Abu 'Ubaid Narrated from:
I was present for ‘Eid with ‘Umar bin Khattab. He started with the prayer before the sermon, and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on these two days, the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. As for the Day of Fitr, it is the day when you break your fast, and on the Day of Adha you eat the meat of your sacrifices.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1722In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 85English translation : Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1722
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1722
This narration explains the hadith about fasting on Eid in a very easy way. Abu ‘Ubaid says he attended Eid with ‘Umar bin Khattab. ‘Umar began with the prayer before the sermon, then reminded people that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) forbade fasting on two days: the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. The narration also gives the reason in plain words. Eid al-Fitr is the day when people break from their Ramadan fasts. Eid al-Adha is the day when people eat from the meat of their sacrifices. So this Hadith teaches that these days are not meant for personal fasting, but for following the Eid practice taught by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
What we learn from this hadith
- The Eid prayer came before the sermon in this report.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) forbade fasting on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
- Eid al-Fitr is linked to breaking the fast after Ramadan.
- Eid al-Adha is linked to eating from the sacrificial meat.
