My son has final exam of his spring term course on Monday June 17th at 9 am. He’s going to ask the teacher if he could have his exam either before or after June 17 because of our celebration Eid al Adha.
In case, he get a negative response from school, what he should do while we follow the moon sighting. Can he perform Eid prayer on Sunday June 16th or perform it at home before he leaves for the exam?
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
The Salah of Eid al Adha becomes wajib after sunrise of day of 10th Dhul Hijjah. This means that this worship is time bound, just as one would have Jumu’a congregation which becomes wajib on a Friday.
The day before Eid al Adha is yawm al arafa (i.e. 9th Dhul Hijjah). This day has its own merits for a Muslim.
So, the matter in question is not either-or scenario. Rather it is imperative that the Eid Salah be performed once its Wujoob (compulsion) comes into play.
Moreover Eid Salah may not be perform individually. If it is left in congregation, then there is no Qadha’ for it as well.
It must be understood that
While some people from community may be celebrating their Eid in following of Saudi declaration for Arafah and Hajj,
And while we encourage people not to make it a means of fitna and dispute;
YET we maintain that the correct stance of overwhelming majority of ummah and Mashayekh is that our Eid al Adha is based on 10th Dhul Hijjah in Edmonton, and not according to when the Hujjaj have their Yawm al Nahr (Day of Sacrifice).
Hence, for your child, the Eid al Adha is still on Monday, 17th June 2024. Currently Masajid are holding Eid Salah at different times. Some are early in the day.
- Darul Iftaa Canada (ilmHub) and Darul Uloom Alberta (Mufti Ahmed Saheb) will be holding our Eid Salah at Knotwood Community Center at 7:00AM
- Markaz ul Islam will be having their three Eids at 6:30AM | 7:30AM | 8:30AM
- Bayt al Aman will be holding it at 8AM
I suggest for your son to attend one of the earlier Eid Salah at 6:30AM or 7AM and then proceed towards his examinations.
This is has been our practice and that of many Muslimeen of the past in our university days as well. Effort should be made alongside to have the schools understand the dynamics and importance of our religious duties so that our rights may be accommodated by them. Ameen.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi