Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam Alaikum.

I wanted to know, if a muslim dies in one`s family. Is it necessary for those family members not to celebrate eid and wear new clothes on the day of eid and go and meet people?

JazakAllah. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Celebrate eid or mourn death

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

There is absolutely no doubt that the days of the two prescribed Eids are days of remembering their Lord, joyous celebrations, commemorations, and of feasting.

If the Lord has Willed to Decree death to one amongst the family members on the Day of Eid, there is absolutely no harm if one wishes to mourn their deceased loved one on the blessed Day of Eid by not wearing new clothes, or abstaining from participating in the feasts or the other joyous celebrations and commemorations of Eid.

Other than the widow of the deceased who is commanded by Allah Subhanah to mourn the death of her husband for a period of four months and ten days, it is not necessary or obligatory upon the other family members of the deceased to abstain from celebrating Eid. Other than the widow, one is at liberty to choose whether to celebrate or not celebrate Eid with the usual fervor or abstain. If one wishes to participate in celebrating Eid, there is no harm; and if one wishes to abstain, there is no harm.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan