FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES IN ISLAM: A GUIDE TO GRATITUDE, WORSHIP, AND ADAB

Islam is a religion of balance — joy and worship, celebration and discipline, community and submission. Among its beautiful teachings are the festivals and ceremonial occasions that Allah has prescribed — not merely as traditions (that occurs always), but as acts of devotion, gratitude, and remembrance. As the Qur’an reminds us:

Say, ‘In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—let them rejoice. That is better than whatever they accumulate.’ — Qur’an 10:58

These gatherings — whether Eid, Aqiqah, Walimah, or other ceremony — are moments where Muslims from all corners of the earth come together to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, express shukr (gratitude), and renew their commitment to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. They are worship — and like all worship, they must be performed with sincerity, adherence to the Sharia, and awareness of Allah’s boundaries.

Allah says:

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]. — Qur’an 14:7

This divine promise underpins every Islamic festival. Gratitude invites more blessings — and that is precisely why Islam has institutionalized certain ceremonies to cultivate this mindset. Among them are the Aqīqah — the naming and thanksgiving ceremony for newborns — and the Walīmah — the wedding banquet that publicizes marriage and expresses joy in obedience to Allah’s command.

In the Aqīqah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed that for a newborn boy, two sheep be slaughtered, and for a girl, one — as a token of gratitude for the gift of life and a declaration of the child’s entry into the Muslim community. This practice, narrated by ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها) and authenticated by scholars like al-Albānī, shows how even the smallest milestones in life become opportunities for worship.

Similarly, the Walīmah — the wedding feast — was emphasized by the Prophet ﷺ when ‘Abdur-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf came to him wearing perfume after marrying an Anṣārī woman. Though the dowry was modest, the Prophet ﷺ urged him:

Give a wedding banquet, even if it is with only one sheep. — Reported by al-Bukhārī

This teaches us that marriage is not private — it is communal. It is an occasion to thank Allah, invite others to share in the joy, and uphold the Sunnah — all while avoiding extravagance or ostentation.

Yet not every celebration is permissible. The Qur’an warns:

Or do they have partners who have legislated for them in religion that which Allah has not permitted? — Qur’an 42:21

This is a stern reminder that any religious practice — no matter how beautiful it may seem — must be rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Anything else is bid‘ah — innovation — and it is dangerous. It leads people away from the straight path and can even lead to punishment. Birthdays, elaborate funeral rites, or pagan-inspired holidays like Christmas and New Year — these have no place in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said:

Whoever imitates a group of people is among them. — Narrated by Abu Dawūd

Celebrating non-Islamic festivals, wishing others “Merry Christmas,” or partaking in their food (which may involve invoking names other than Allah during slaughter) is forbidden. It is not just inappropriate as some people’s says— it is religiously prohibited.

Even within legitimate Islamic gatherings, boundaries must be observed. Dancing, free-mixing, music that incites sin, or immodest dress — none of these belong in a Muslim celebration. A true believer ensures that every gathering is purified by the remembrance of Allah, the recitation of His Book, and adherence to His commands.

Finally, the two great festivals Allah has prescribed for the Ummah — Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — stand as pillars of communal worship and gratitude. Eid ul-Fitr marks the completion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. It begins with the sighting of the Shawwal moon, followed by congregational prayer, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and joyful reunion with family and neighbors.

Eid al-Adha, on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, commemorates Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) willingness to sacrifice his son — a test of ultimate obedience. Muslims worldwide perform qurbani (animal sacrifice), distribute meat to the poor, and gather in prayer — reaffirming their submission to Allah’s will.

Both Eids are not merely festivals — they are acts of worship. They teach us to be grateful, generous, humble, and united. And above all, they remind us to seek Allah’s pleasure in all things — great and small.

As the Qur’an concludes:

So glorify the praises of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance. — Qur’an 110:3

May Allah grant us the wisdom to celebrate His blessings in ways that please Him — not in ways that please our egos or copy the ways of others. Āmēn

Brought to you by:

Islamic Affairs Board (IAB), MSSN OAU