This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Muhammad Farooq's book Issues of the Two Eids.
The Day of Eid al-Adha:.
Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Baqar, Yawm al-Nahr, or Eid Qurban is celebrated on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is called Eid al-Adha because on this day animals are sacrificed for the pleasure of Allah. Also, in terms of virtue and greatness, the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah is superior to other days. Abdullah bin Qurt (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إن أعظم الأيام عند الله تبارك و تعالى يوم النحر، ثم يوم القر
“Indeed, the greatest day in the sight of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhu al-Hijjah), then the Day of Qir (11th of Dhu al-Hijjah).”
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Manasik, Chapter on the sacrifice if it is spoiled before reaching: 1765 - Musnad Ahmad: 350/4 - Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2866 - Sunan Bayhaqi: 237/5 - Its chain is authentic
The following hadith also confirms that the day of Eid al-Adha is the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
أمرت بيوم الأضحى عيدا جعله الله لهذه الأمة
“I have been commanded to celebrate Eid on the day of Adha (10th of Dhu al-Hijjah), and Allah has made this day the Eid of my Ummah.”
Reference: Mustadrak Hakim: 223/4 - Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on the obligation of sacrifices: 2789 - Sunan Nasai: 4370 - Sahih Ibn Hibban: 5914 - Sunan Dar Qutni - Its chain is Hasan, narrated by Isa bin Hilal Sadfi, may Allah have mercy on him, a truthful narrator
Also, Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) in Sahih Bukhari, in the Book of Sacrifices, under this heading (باب من قال الأضحى يوم النحر) pointed to the position of the person who says that Adha is Yawm al-Nahr (the day of the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah), indicating that the day of Eid al-Adha is the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) states that Adha (the day of Eid Qurban) is the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Reference: Fath al-Bari: 11/10
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are communal festivals:.
Communality is intended in Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and adopting individuality or opposing communality in them is absolutely impermissible.
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
الصوم يوم تصومون، والفطر يوم تفطرون، والأضحى يوم تضحون
“Fasting is on the day when people fast, the day when people break their fast is Eid al-Fitr, and the day when people offer sacrifice is Eid al-Adha.”
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on what has been narrated about fasting on the day you fast: 697 - Its chain of narration is authentic
Fiqh of Hadith:.
Imam San'ani, may Allah have mercy on him, writes that this hadith is evidence that the concurrence of people is necessary for the confirmation of Eid, and even if a single person sees the moon and thereby knows the Eid, the concurrence of the rest of the people is obligatory. This includes the prayer of Eid, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, which fall under the ruling of obedience to the rest of the people.
Reference: Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi: 356/3
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
الفطر يوم تفطرون، والأضحى يوم تضحون
“The day you break your fast is Eid al-Fitr, and the day you offer the sacrifice is Eid al-Adha.”
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter: If the people err in the crescent: 2324 - Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Fasting, Chapter: What was mentioned about the two Eids: 1660 – Its chain of narration is authentic
Fiqh of the Hadith: .
Allama Sindhi, may Allah have mercy on him, states: The meaning of this hadith is that there is no individuality in determining these matters (the two Eids), rather following and conforming to the Imam and the congregation is considered. In these matters, it is obligatory to follow the Imam and the congregation for those who hold a unique opinion. Thus, if a single person sighted the moon of the two Eids and the ruler rejects his testimony, he will not be able to establish anything on his own; rather, in proving these matters, it is necessary for him to follow the general public.
Reference: (Hashiya Sindhi on Ibn Majah: 431/3)
