EID AL-ADHA – THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE
By Muhammad Solaiman
What is Eid Al-Adha?
Eid Al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice) is a four-day celebration. It falls on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
When is Eid Al-Adha celebration this year?
This year, Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated on 11 August.
The day before, on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah more than two million Muslim pilgrims from around the world gather on the in the valley of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj. Muslims around the world fast on that day of Arafat.
What Does Eid Al-Adha Commemorate?
Eid Al-Adha, or “Festival of Sacrifice”, is celebrated by Muslims to mark the occasion when Allah (God) commanded Abraham (peace be upon him, PBUH) in a vision to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, to demonstrate his devotion to God, the Almighty.
Abraham (PBUH) was tempted by Satan to disobey God. However, he ignored Satan’s temptation and was about to sacrifice his son, when Allah gave him a lamb to kill instead.
Etiquettes of Eid
The Muslim is recommended to:
- Take a bath before going out to the prayer.
- Not to eat anything until he comes back from the prayer to eat from his sacrifice. If the Muslim is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.
- Say takbeer on your way to the Eid prayer:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, laa Elaha Ell-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillah El-Hamd”
(Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is the Most Great, and to Allah be praise).
Takbeer begins on the first day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the three days of Tashreeq.
- Exchange congratulations and good wishes with others by saying “Taqabal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum” (May Allah accept from us and you) or “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) and any other permissible expressions of congratulations.
- Wear the best clothes and put perfume on going out for Eid.
- Go to the prayer by one route and returning by another.
- Give charity to the needy.
- Visit the relatives and uphold the ties of kinship.
How is Eid Al-Adha celebrated?
Eid Al-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries, and it is a period of rejoicing.
It is a time when families and friends gather to exchange well wishes, gifts and provide food for the less fortunate.
Muslims typically clean and decorate their homes, wear their best clothes and head to a mosque to join Eid prayer.
Muslims are encouraged to give charity and focus on their relationship with God. Most families host gatherings with traditional food at home, inviting others to join in the festivities.
Those who sacrifice an animal cut it into thirds, with one portion given to the poor, another shared amongst friends and relatives and the final is eaten by the family.
