Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The one who asked this question was Ka‘b al-Ahbar rahimahullah. According to the well-known opinion, he accepted Islam during the caliphate of Sayyiduna ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu, and at that time there was a group of Jews with him. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhuma said: “For indeed, it (the verse) was revealed on two Eids, on the day of Jumu‘ah (Friday) and on the day of ‘Arafah.” … This verse was revealed on the day of two Eids; it was both Friday and the day of ‘Arafah. (Tirmidhi) Since the foundation of our religion is the Qur’an and Hadith, not on intellectual inventions, innovations, or imaginations, the standards for happiness and sorrow in this religion are prescribed. The blessed birth of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the commencement of prophethood and messengership, Isra’ and Mi‘raj, the migration to Madinah, the Battle of Badr al-Kubra, the Battle of Khandaq, the conquest of Makkah, the completion of the religion, the acceptance of Islam by the eminent Companions radi Allahu anhum, and so on—these are all great days of happiness for the Muslim Ummah. However, the criterion for these joys is the blessed presence of the Merciful Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. It is thus clear that, without the guidance of the Shari‘ah, to declare any day as a day of reverence due to some association and to begin celebrating it is a Jewish practice. In the present era, matters such as birthdays and national festivals are merely imitations of non-Muslims.