Eid-ul-Adha & Hajj

Eid ul-Adha is one of the most significant and special festivals of the Muslims all over the world. It is falls approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhuj Hijia, the Islamic month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Also known as ‘Festival of Sacrifice’,

Eid ul-Adha commemorates the act of sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. It is also celebrated to mark the end of the Pilgrimage or Hajj to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. 

Prophet Ibrahim wanted a son but was too old. The prophet prayed to Allah for a son and promised to sacrifice the thing he liked the most if he could have a son. Soon he was blessed with a son. Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim in his dream to sacrifice his son Ismail at Mina near Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Following the god’s will both, Ibrahim and Ismail, set off to Mina. On the way, they were dissuaded by the evil forces to disobey Allah’s will. But Ibrahim remained true to Allah and prepared to sacrifice his son when Allah stopped him and asked him to sacrifice a sheep instead. The entire episode of the sacrifice is regarded as a trial that Ibrahim had to face from Allah. It is celebrated by Muslims on the day of Eid ul-Adha.

Eid ul-Adha is celebrated for three continuous days. On the first day of the festival, all the Muslims dress up in the best of their clothes and perform prayer called Saleh in a large congregation. They dress up in new clothes and have breakfast only after reciting their Eid prayers. After the prayers, they have breakfast and the affluent Muslims make a sacrifice of a domestic animal, usually sheep as mark of Ibrahim’s sacrifice. This sacrifice is called ‘Qurban’ and the meat of the slaughtered animal is distributed among the deprived, relatives and neighbors. According to Islamic customs, the meat is to be distributed equally in three parts among family, friends & neighbor and poor section of the society. The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid ul-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished Muslim is left without sacrificial food during this day.

Later in the day, Muslims pay visits to their relatives and friends. Mouth-watering delicacies, desserts and beverages are served to the guests. Since it is celebrated immediately after the Day of Arafat, when Muhammad pronounced the final seal on the religion of Islam, Eid ul-Adha gives concrete realization to what the Muslim community ethic means in practice.