Eid is an Arabic word which denotes festival/feast. It's a period of celebration by Muslim faithful all across the globe. Anas bn Maalik رضي الله عنه narrated thus:

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة، ولهم يومان يلعبون فيهما. فقال: ما هذان اليومان؟ قالوا: كنا نلعب فيهما في الجاهلية، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله قد أبدلكم بهما خيرا منهما: يوم الأضحى، ويوم الفطر

"When the Messenger of Allaah (upon him be peace) came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger of Allaah (upon him be peace) said: “Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of al-Adhaa and the day of al-Fitr.”

Eidu'l-fitr means celebration of the completion fast. It's observed in the first of Shawwal after 29/30 days of Ramadaan fast to mark the end of the glorious month.

Eidu'l-Adhaa on the other hand, means the celebration of sacrifice (slaughtering of animals). It is also called eid'un-Nahr. It is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, following a successful stay and worship at Arafah on the 9th.

There is no single mention of the name EIDU'L-KABIR in any Islamic literature. It is not known to the first generation of Muslims. It's a strange name that found its way into our hearts without any iota of proof.

One would expect scholars of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to have corrected the Federal Government to stop declaring Sallah break as "EIDU'L-KABIR holiday". It's their responsibility to do so. Let Government declare the right thing and stop referring to a significant day in Islaam with the wrong name.

Please, take note!

© Sirnucy Laf