Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … According to the narration of Sayyidah Aisha radi Allahu anha (Sahih Bukhari: 950), this was the day of Eid, and playing on the day of Eid is in any case permissible, as long as the play does not involve anything unlawful. As for the matter of the Abyssinian people, their playing was not mere play, rather they were demonstrating martial skills through war instruments, which is something desired by the Shariah. Banū Arfada was either a title of the Abyssinian people or Arfada was the name of an ancestor in their lineage to whom they were attributed. These people were more fond of play and amusement on the day of Eid compared to other Companions. Keeping in view the sanctity of the mosque, Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu reprimanded them, but later the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam clarified that such matters are permissible in the mosque. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah said: Muhallab says: The affairs of the Muslim community are connected with the mosque, therefore, those matters which are related to religion and the benefit of the people of religion, and not to an individual alone, are permissible to be carried out in the mosque. (Fath al-Bari: 1/721)