Not wearing new clothes on the day of Eid as a protest

Question

After the horrific anti-Muslim riot in Moradabad on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, a movement has arisen among the youth that on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, as a protest and an expression of sympathy, new clothes should not be worn, but [merely] washed clothes should be used — whereas the hadith says: wear the best clothing you have. Is there anything objectionable in this movement according to the Shari‘a or not?

Answer

Wearing new clothes on the day of Eid is mustahabb, not wajib. If this movement is expected to put a stop to the oppression, there is nothing objectionable [in it] according to the Shari‘a.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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