Saying ‘Eid Mubarak’?

Question: Kindly explain the trend of greeting with “Eid Mubarak” on Eid day. People also send such messages as well as picture messages with Eid Mubarak written in fancy fonts, etc. Is this an Islamic teaching? If not, then how should I respond to an ‘Eid Mubarak’ greeting or message?  

Answer: This trend of Eid Mubarak, like Jumu’ah Mubarak, is not sourced from Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), nor from the Khulafa-ur-Raashideen, nor from any of the senior Taabi’een, Imaams of the Mazhabs or the Akaabireen. Hence, this is a Bid’ah which should be shunned.

Whilst special chapters in various authentic Kitaabs discuss the Sunnats of Eid and the day of Jumu’ah of our beloved Rasulullah (Sallalllahu alaihi wasallam), nowhere is it mentioned that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) greeted the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum) with ‘Eid Mubarak’ when meeting them on any of the days of Eid or ‘Jumu’ah Mubarak’ on a Friday.   

Ignore such greetings and messages. Do not even respond by acknowledging receiving such Bid’ah.

The following lengthy Hadith will share some light regarding this topic, Insha Allah:

Nabi (Sallalllahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Verily, he among you who lives long will see much conflict. Therefore, keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafa-ur-Raashideen (the rightly guided Khulafa), those who guide to the Right Way (Deen). Cling to it (the Sunnah) firmly. Beware of the new norms (Bid’ah in Deen), for verily, every Bid’ah (new norm) is misguidance (Dhalaalah). And every Dhalaalah is in the Fire of Jahannam.” (Abu Dawood and Tirmizi)