Eid ul Adha the Festival of Sacrifice
At the closing of the hajj season, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid Ul Adha in the memory of Prophet Abraham’s promptness to sacrifice his son Ismail in the name of God.
Eid-ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice. Eid- ul- Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhuj Hijja, the Islamic month according to the lunar Islamic calendar.
It is to be performed by all Muslims (male and female) who own wealth to the value of the Zakat Nisab (prescribed amount) on these days of sacrifice.
THE STORY
The story behind the celebrating Eid Ul Adha is that how Abraham was ready to kill his own son which is his very dear thing in the world but he was ready to give in just to obey Allah’s command. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, in a dream. Abraham with steady intention moved with his son towards Mina for the sacrifice.
Some of the evils in the way between tried to change Abraham’s mind away but Abraham was true to God and as he didn’t listen to them, God liked the obedience of Abraham and stopped him in the nick of time and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of sacrificing his son.
So that’s why the festival is said to be a festival of sacrifice.
The Day Activities
The days of sacrifice are the 10th, 11th and 12th Zul-Hijjah. It can be performed soon after the Eid Salah, but not before it. The time for performing sacrifice lasts till sunset on the 12th Zul-Hijjah.
All family members dress up in new and beautiful clothes to carry out the Eid- ul- Adha prayers (Salah) in large groups.
To perform this Ibadah on this day all the Muslims sacrifice animals like sheep, goat, cows and camels repeating Abraham’s act for God. The sacrifice in Muslims is known as “Qurbani”.
A camel has to be at least five years old. Camels less than five years are not valid for sacrifice. Oxen and buffaloes must not be less than two years. Goats should be at least one year old. Goats less than one year are not valid for sacrificing. Sheep too should be at least one year.
A camel, ox, cow and buffalo have seven shares in each. In other words, seven persons may sacrifice a single one of these animals. One person may also sacrifice the whole animal for his own sacrifice. A goat or a sheep has only one share. Hence, a goat or a sheep can be sacrificed on behalf of only one person.
Points to remember in Eid Ul ADHA
The animal offered for sacrifice should be laid on the ground on its left side facing the Qiblah( The way towards Holy Kaaba).
After animal is sacrificed then the meat of the animal is distributed among the friends, relatives, neighbors and poor people. Muslims communities on this day take care that no poor and needy Muslim is missed out to provide the sacrificial food.
Preferably, the sacrificial meat should be divided into three parts. One part should be kept for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
Eid-ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice. Eid- ul- Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhuj Hijja, the Islamic month according to the lunar Islamic calendar.
It is to be performed by all Muslims (male and female) who own wealth to the value of the Zakat Nisab (prescribed amount) on these days of sacrifice.
THE STORY
The story behind the celebrating Eid Ul Adha is that how Abraham was ready to kill his own son which is his very dear thing in the world but he was ready to give in just to obey Allah’s command. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, in a dream. Abraham with steady intention moved with his son towards Mina for the sacrifice.
Some of the evils in the way between tried to change Abraham’s mind away but Abraham was true to God and as he didn’t listen to them, God liked the obedience of Abraham and stopped him in the nick of time and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of sacrificing his son.
So that’s why the festival is said to be a festival of sacrifice.
The Day Activities
The days of sacrifice are the 10th, 11th and 12th Zul-Hijjah. It can be performed soon after the Eid Salah, but not before it. The time for performing sacrifice lasts till sunset on the 12th Zul-Hijjah.
All family members dress up in new and beautiful clothes to carry out the Eid- ul- Adha prayers (Salah) in large groups.
To perform this Ibadah on this day all the Muslims sacrifice animals like sheep, goat, cows and camels repeating Abraham’s act for God. The sacrifice in Muslims is known as “Qurbani”.
A camel has to be at least five years old. Camels less than five years are not valid for sacrifice. Oxen and buffaloes must not be less than two years. Goats should be at least one year old. Goats less than one year are not valid for sacrificing. Sheep too should be at least one year.
A camel, ox, cow and buffalo have seven shares in each. In other words, seven persons may sacrifice a single one of these animals. One person may also sacrifice the whole animal for his own sacrifice. A goat or a sheep has only one share. Hence, a goat or a sheep can be sacrificed on behalf of only one person.
Points to remember in Eid Ul ADHA
The animal offered for sacrifice should be laid on the ground on its left side facing the Qiblah( The way towards Holy Kaaba).
After animal is sacrificed then the meat of the animal is distributed among the friends, relatives, neighbors and poor people. Muslims communities on this day take care that no poor and needy Muslim is missed out to provide the sacrificial food.
Preferably, the sacrificial meat should be divided into three parts. One part should be kept for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
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