My dear sisters and brothers, let it be known that our religion of Islam is perfect.  What we mean by that is not simply that we are narrow-minded and obstinate, claiming falsely that our beliefs are “perfect” but meaning that Allah, the only God, has revealed His religion to us through his Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as He did prophets and messengers before him.  And that this religion itself is sacred.  Religion sacred?  You may think I am being redundant.  However, if you look around you, you will see that oftentimes religion has become something mundane- something which changes with the passing fads and whims of men.  Religion for many people is no longer something received and revered, rather it is invented and convenient.  Have you HEARD of a religion, my sisters and brothers, which even goes to the extent of making something a SIN if it is not set forth in the original revelation?  The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam laid down a fundamental point in our religion when he said the following:

Whoever introduces something to this affair of ours [the religion of Islam] will have it rejected.
[reported in Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Whoever does something which does not belong to our affair [the religion of Islam] will have it rejected.

[reported in Muslim]

Beware of new things in matters of worship, for every new thing is an innovation and every innovation leads to falsehood.

[reported in Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it Hasan, lbn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan, and Ahmad]

This in Arabic is called “bid’ah” or religious innovation.  The opposite of this is “Sunnah”, or that which was established by the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam as a part of the religion. This does NOT mean we do not advance in worldly matters (using a computer, etc.) but that in matters relating to the RELIGION, there is no room for human invention- otherwise we will end up worshipping human beings instead of the One Who created us all.

Therefore, let us take this occasion, what we call “ ‘Eid” to understand exactly what an “ ‘Eid” is.  It is basically any occasion which is ritualistically commemorated at a specific time.  The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked the people of Medinah what it was they were celebrating and they told him they were 2 days of happiness and celebration (note- they were not religious in nature).  The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam then said:

Allah has given you something better than them, the day of Adha and the day of Fitr [the 2 ‘Eids].

[ reported in Abu Dawood]

Every nation has its festival, and this is your festival [‘Eid].

[reported in Al-Bukhari]

It is true- nations and cultures are defined in part by their rituals and holidays (most of which when researched go back to pagan celebrations).  Therefore, Muslims should certainly not celebrate anything other than the 2 ‘Eids even if they are not APPARENTLY religious in nature such as birthdays, etc.  And do not be fooled by the so-called “Muslim” or “Islamic” holidays which people have invented such as the Prophet’s birthday or Shabe-barat, etc. none which can be traced back to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam or his Companions radhi’allaahu ‘anhum, who loved and followed him the most.  The sad thing is many times people in their misguided “it feels good so let’s do it” mentality leave off things which are from the actual Sunnah and instead do things which were invented in their own minds.  For example you will find people who wish to “honor” the day the Prophet was born and perform all manner of invented rituals, yet the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, when asked why he fasted Mondays and he explained:

That is the day I was born and the day [the first Revelation] was sent down on me.

[reported in Muslim]

So if you are looking for “good deeds” and “things to do” - that has already been established in the religion and you have no need of following people’s ideas.  It is no wonder one of the scholars of the past said that for every bid’ah that people invent, a Sunnah dies.  Let us all discard the cheap trappings that men have laid over the door of our religion, and rediscover the authentic Sunnah which is buried beneath it.