From the time of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—followed by his successors and the governors who represented them in the provinces, it was the established practice that they would lead the people in the ʿId prayer and then address them with words of admonition, teaching them whatever would benefit them in their religion and their worldly affairs. During that same gathering they would command the people to give charity, so that the affluent might show kindness to the needy and the needy might rejoice in the bounty Allah granted them at this blessed assembly upon which mercy and divine favor descend.

May the Muslims respond by following the Sunnah of their Prophet and reviving the rites of their religion, for therein lies their resolve and their success.

“O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” 1

Shaykh Wali Allah al-Dihlawi said in Hujjat Allah al-Baligha, under the heading “The Two ʿIds” (2: 30–31):

“The underlying principle of the two festivals is that every people has a day on which they gather together, leaving their towns in their finery; such a custom is shared by all communities, Arab and non-Arab alike. And the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—prayed …”