Does a large family gathering on Eid al-Fitr—the timing of which clashes with a half-annual gathering for the community—take precedence over the community gathering in terms of deservingness, or vice versa?

If it is possible to combine the two gatherings, that is preferable. However, if the elders of the family insist on holding their private gathering first, then acceding to their wishes is more befitting, because the right of the closer relative is more emphasized, and maintaining ties with them takes precedence over those who are more distant. It is recommended to prioritize the mother, then the father, then the children, then the grandfathers and grandmothers, then the brothers and sisters, then the rest of theharam relatives, prioritizing the closest then the next closest.

As for some people’s reliance on the حديث (Hadith) about the group (jama’ah), it is out of place; what is meant by it is the community of Muslims, and deviance (shudhoodh) is departing from their methodology. This deviance is that by which its perpetrator breaks away from the fold of Islam and incites discord.