MaxieMorales00 at 21:11, 15 March 2026

2026-03-15T21:11:05Z

New page

{{Short description|South Asian term for an open-air Eid prayer enclosure}}
{{redirect|Idgah}}
[[File:Qiblah of Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah with prayer space.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah]] [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]]]]
[[File:Sholakia Eidgah Maidan 05.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Sholakia Eidgah]], [[Kishoreganj District|Kishoreganj]], the largest Eidgah in terms of congregation in Bangladesh]]
[[File:Eidgah_mosque.jpg|250px|right|thumb|[[Shahi Eid Gah Mosque]], [[Multan]], Pakistan]]

'''Eidgah''' or '''Idgah''', also '''Eid Gah''' or '''Id Gah''' ({{langx|fa|{{Nastaliq|عیدگاه}}}} "site of Eid [observances]"; {{langx|bn|ঈদগাহ}}; {{langx|pnb|{{Nastaliq|عید گاہ}}}}; {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|عید گاہ}}}}; {{langx|hi|ईदगाह}}) is a term used in [[Islam in South Asia|South Asian Islamic culture]] for the open-air enclosure usually outside the city (or at the outskirts) reserved for [[Eid prayers]] offered in the morning of [[Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid al-Adha]]. It is usually a public place that is not used for prayers at other times of the year.<ref>{{cite news |title= Special prayers in Idgah seeking divine blessings, eternal peace|url= http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/10/stories/2010091057440200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100919193933/http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/10/stories/2010091057440200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 19 September 2010|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date= 2010-09-10|access-date=9 February 2012}}</ref> On the day of Eid, the first thing Muslims do in the morning is gather usually at a large open ground and offer special prayers,<ref>{{cite news |title= Traffic curbs on Eid|url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/idgah|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131216184727/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/idgah|url-status= dead|archive-date= 16 December 2013|newspaper= [[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Traffic restrictions imposed for Eid prayers|url= http://www.siasat.com/english/news/traffic-restrictions-imposed-eid-prayers|newspaper= Siasat Daily|access-date=9 February 2012}}</ref> in accordance with the [[Sunnah]] (traditions of [[Muhammad]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamsa.org.za/library/eidgah.html|title=Eidgah|website=islamsa.org.za|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221222219/http://www.islamsa.org.za/library/eidgah.html|archive-date=21 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although Eidgah traditionally denotes the site of Eid prayers, the term may also be applied to a ''[[musalla]]'', the open space outside a mosque, or other open grounds where Eid prayers are performed, due to the lack of a specific Islamic term for a site of Eid observance. The Eidgah is mentioned in the famous [[Bengali language|Bengali]] poem by [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]], [[O Mon Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe]].

==Prescriptions in the Sharia==

The first "Eidgah" was located at the outskirts of [[Medina]] nearly 1,000 footsteps from [[Al-Masjid al-Nabawi|Masjid al Nabawi]].<ref>(Mariful Hadîth, Vol. 3, P.399)</ref><sup>,</sup> There are several [[Fatwa|scholarly opinions]] regarding praying at Eidgahs, prescribing it in the [[Sharia]] (Islamic law):
*Complying with the Sunnah, performing of the Eid Salah at the outskirts of the town is better and more virtuous, than performing it in the town (i.e. in a mosque).<ref>(Fatwa Darul Uloom, Vol 5, P. 208) {{PD-notice}}</ref>
*The Eid Salah performed in the [[mosque]] is complete, but performing it in the Eidgah is Sunnah. To not perform Eid Salah in the Eidgah without a valid excuse, is contrary to the Sunnah.<ref>(Fatwa Darul Uloom, Vol. 5, P.2261) {{PD-notice}}</ref>
*The Eid Salah should be [performed in] a huge ''Jam'ah'' (congregation) on the outskirts of the town. In this way the brotherhood in [[Islam]] (i.e. among Muslims) is manifested. In the big cities it is difficult to have Eidgahs on the outskirts of the city, therefore a large open plain ground should be chosen for the Eidgah. Or if needed, the prayer can be performed in the mosque, which will be correct. But [people should try praying in an Eidgah] as far as possible, [since] one huge ''Jam'ah'' is superior to many small Eid [''Jam'ahs''].<ref>(Ahsanul Fatwa, Vol. 4, P. 119) {{PD-notice}}</ref>
*Performing of the Eid Salah in the Eidgah is [classified as] ''Sunnah al-Muakkadah'' (emphasized or substantiated Sunnah). Without any valid excuse, the one who does not perform his Eid Salah in the Eidgah is worthy of being reprimanded and taken to task and this kind of a person is a sinner. If the Eidgah is a distance away and it is inconvenient for the old and sick, then the [[Fuqaha]] (Islamic jurists) have given permission for them to perform Eid Salah in the mosque.<ref>(Fatwa Rahimiyah, Vol. 1, P.276) {{PD-notice}}</ref>

==List of Eidgahs==
[[File:Idgah Padmani Enclave.JPG|thumb|250px|14th-century Idgah, built during [[Tughlaq dynasty]] rule in Delhi]]
Notable Eidgahs around the world include
*[[Purani Idgah]]
*[[Id Gah Mosque]]
*[[Id Kah Mosque]], [[Kashgar, Xinjiang]], China
*[[Sholakia Eidgah]]
*[[Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah]]
*[[Sylhet Shahi Eidgah]]
*[[Eidgah, Kheri|Kheri Eidgah]]
*[[Sholakia Eidgah Maidan|Sholakiya Eidgah Maidan, Kishoreganj]]
*[[Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah Maidan|Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah, Dinajpur]]

=== Shahi Eidgah===
When the [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Aurangzeb Alamgir]] ascended the throne in the year 1658, he decided to build a big Eidgah, on the outskirts of then [[Shahjahanabad]] now known as the walled city. Shahi Eidgah was built on an area of {{convert|31,484|sqyd}} of land, surrounded by thousands of square yards of open grounds. The Shahi Eidgah complex has {{cvt|283257|sqft}}, which at any time can be used by 50,000 namazi. The main gate at the front side has also two small gates besides it for the entrance and exit of the devotees. The same pattern is followed on the north and south sides of the Shahi Eidgah.

===Moradabad Eidgah===
The Moradabad Eidgah, Located near by [[Moradabad railway station]]. The prayer ground is very large, with a seating capacity of 20,000 attendees. It is a historical religious place for Muslims, thus local [[Moradabad]] Muslims perform Eid Namaz every year in this Eidgah.

===Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah Maidan===
{{main|Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah Maidan}}
[[File:Dinajpur Eidgah .jpg|thumb|Gor-e-Shahid Eidgah in [[Dinajpur]], Bangladesh.]]
Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah Maidan ({{langx|bn|গোর-এ-শহীদ ঈদগাহ ময়দান}}) is located in [[Dinajpur]]. [[Sholakia]] is declared as the largest Eidgah in [[Bangladesh]]. But in [[Eid ul Adha]] of 2017 this Eidgah hosted the largest [[Jamia|jamaat]] of Bangladesh.
The number of devotees increased this year following the construction of a 516-foot wide minaret with 52 domes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.clickittefaq.com/huge-eid-congregation-held-in-dinajpur/ |title=Huge Eid congregation held in Dinajpur - Click Ittefaq |access-date=2019-08-21 |archive-date=2019-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808095916/https://www.clickittefaq.com/huge-eid-congregation-held-in-dinajpur/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Eidgah Minar's main dome ([[Mehrab]]) is about {{convert|47|feet}} high and {{convert|516|feet}} wide. It has been built in 32 arches. Electric lamps have been connected to each dome of the Eidgah Minar. Eidgah Minar's beauty can be seen from many distances. The largest Eidgah Minar was constructed entirely with ceramic. The road is made for the devotees on both sides of the field. There will be adjacent arrangements. The Eidgah Minar is full of beauty when looked at from a distance. According to the district administration, the Eidgah has an area of about {{cvt|22|acre}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.theindependentbd.com/post/211201|title = Gor-e-Shahid, Sholakia set to host Eid congregations}}</ref> On the other hand, Sholakia's field is known to be 7 acres of land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Preparations-underway-in-one-of-largest-Eidgah-of-country/7312|title=Preparations underway in one of largest Eidgah of country|access-date=2019-08-21|archive-date=2021-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426200741/https://m.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Preparations-underway-in-one-of-largest-Eidgah-of-country/7312|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the 5thEid-ul-Fitr congregation was at Gor-e-Shahid Baro Maidan at 8:45am with the participation of 600,000 devotees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/196811/Gor-e-Shahid-Maidan-Sholakia-host-2-largest-Eid|title=Gor-e-Shahid Maidan, Sholakia host 2 largest Eid congregations|date=5 June 2019 }}</ref> Apart from members of other law enforcement agencies, over 500 policemen were deployed in and around the Eidgah to ensure security.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/397448/2019/06/05/Dinajpur-hosts-one-of-largest-Eid-congregations |title=Dinajpur hosts one of largest Eid congregations {{!}} 2019-06-05 |website=www.daily-sun.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818101407/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/397448/2019/06/05/Dinajpur-hosts-one-of-largest-Eid-congregations |archive-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> The 6th Eid-ul-Azha largest Eid congregation was at Gor-e-Shahid Baro Maidan, Dinajpur at 8:30am with the participation of around 4 lakh devotees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unb.com.bd/amp/m/category/Bangladesh/gor-e-shahid-maidan-sholakia-host-2-largest-eid-congregations/19611|title=Gor-e-Shahid Maidan, Sholakia host 2 largest Eid congregations|access-date=2019-08-21|archive-date=2021-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426233824/https://www.unb.com.bd/amp/m/category/Bangladesh/gor-e-shahid-maidan-sholakia-host-2-largest-eid-congregations/19611|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Eidgah Sharif==
Eidgah Sharif is a [[Sunni]] [[Sufi]] shrine located in [[Rawalpindi]], [[Pakistan]].<ref name=stt>{{cite web|url=https://www.stthomas.edu/media/jayphillipscenter/publicevents/Updated-Short-Bio-of-Pir-Saab.pdf|title=Biography of Pir Saab|website=stthomas.edu|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214045041/https://www.stthomas.edu/media/jayphillipscenter/publicevents/Updated-Short-Bio-of-Pir-Saab.pdf|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The shrine was founded over a century ago. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and frequently hosts ceremonies known as ''Milaad Paaks'' which are mainly series of sermons from scholars and religious materials presented in solo a capella by people called "reciters". At the largest of these gatherings (such as the ''Urs Paak''), more than a million visitors crowd the main grounds and the surrounding streets. About four million followers from all over the country and about 500,000 more from the [[United Kingdom]] are regular visitors to the shrine.
The custodian of Eidgah Sharif, [[Muhammad Naqib-ur-Rahman|Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Naqib-Ur Rehman]], known to his followers as "Pir Sa’ab", advances the mission and teachings of Eidgah Shareef with the assistance of his son Sahibzada Muhammad Hassan Haseeb Ur Rehman, known to the devotees as "Sa’ab Ji". Pir Sa’ab's ancestors, the previous custodians of the shrine, were all said to be Sufi masters directly from the lineage of [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Babur]]. In 1960 the family gifted the government with a large proportion of the land used to build Pakistan's capital city of [[Islamabad]], not far from Rawalpindi.<ref name=stt/>

{{Portal|Islam}}
* [[Eid al-Fitr]]
* [[Eid al-Adha]]

==References==
{{commons category|Eidgah}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Eid}}
{{Islamic architecture}}
{{Sufism terminology}}
{{Portal bar|Religion|Islam|Education|Psychology|Art|Architecture}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Eid (Islam)]]
[[Category:Eidgahs| ]]
[[Category:Islamic architectural elements]]
[[Category:Mosques]]
[[Category:Salah]]

Eidgah - Revision history

MaxieMorales00 at 21:11, 15 March 2026