Muslims around the world are all set to celebrate Eid al Adha; also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice. Considered among the holiest days in Islam; Eid al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah - the twelfth and the holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar when millions of pilgrims perform the annual Hajj (the sacred pilgrimage) in the holy city of Mecca. Eid al Adha commemorates a particular trial in the life of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS); known in Jewish and Christian traditions as Prophet Abraham.
Let’s have a look at how the Islamic festival of sacrifice came into being:
The Story Behind the Sacrifice
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) received a command from Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his son Ishmael. As a devoted servant of Allah (SWT), Prophet Ibrahim (AS) steeled himself to comply with the divine order. He took the boy to Mount Moriah and offered Ishmael’s life to Allah (SWT). At this point, Satan tempted Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to defy Allah (SWT), but he resisted and drove the Satan away. As Prophet Ibrahim (AS) held the blade above boy’s neck; Allah (SWT) replaced the child with a sheep to fulfil the intended sacrifice. It was a test of unquestioning devotion that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) passed with flying colors.
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| Eid al Adha commemorates the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim (AS)! |
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) received a command from Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his son Ishmael. As a devoted servant of Allah (SWT), Prophet Ibrahim (AS) steeled himself to comply with the divine order. He took the boy to Mount Moriah and offered Ishmael’s life to Allah (SWT). At this point, Satan tempted Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to defy Allah (SWT), but he resisted and drove the Satan away. As Prophet Ibrahim (AS) held the blade above boy’s neck; Allah (SWT) replaced the child with a sheep to fulfil the intended sacrifice. It was a test of unquestioning devotion that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) passed with flying colors.
“And whosoever fears Allah (SWT) and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.”
~ The Holy Quran 65:2-3
~ The Holy Quran 65:2-3
Thus, for Muslims all over the world; Eid al Adha is a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) ultimate sacrifice and submission to the will of Allah (SWT).
Offering the Qurbani
The tradition (commemorating the sheep sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is known as ‘qurbani’ in Persian and Urdu and ‘udhiyah’ in Arabic. Offering the qurbani (sacrifice) is compulsory for Muslims’ who are not making the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) and who can afford to sacrifice an animal.
The practice calls for the meat of a sacrificed animal to be donated three ways. The one-third portion of the meat is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, one-third portion is given away to friends and neighbours and another one-third portion is donated to the poor. It is a symbolic gesture that shows our willingness to give up our bounties to strengthen feelings of empathy and compassion for the less privileged. Also, the hide of the sheep is given away for making leather articles, garments etc. for the poor.
However, the act of animal sacrifice is often misunderstood. Allah (SWT) doesn’t need the blood or the meat; Allah (SWT) looks for our goodness and piety.
“Their meat will not reach Allah (SWT), nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” ~ The Holy Quran 22:37
Keep Eid al Adha a Low-Key Affair - Give Charity (Zakat) to the Kerala Flood Victims
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| Eid-ul-Azha is all about developing a spirit of sacrifice and helping the mankind! |
Although Muslims are encouraged to celebrate the Eid al Adha (Bakrid) and make the required animal sacrifice; it wouldn’t be wrong to observe moderation during the distressed times when Kerala is facing the worst floods in 100 years. Roads have been washed away, thousands of homes have been destroyed and hundreds of people have lost lives due to the devastating floods in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Sunni cleric and Imam Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali urged the community to donate 10% of the zakat amount to the Kerala flood victims. His message on his Facebook profile reads, "An important appeal: Donate at least 10% of your Eid-Ul-Azha budget to the Kerala Flood Relief Fund. The true message of Eid-ul-Azha is that along with sacrificing an animal we must develop a spirit of sacrifice in our self so that whenever the humanity is in need of help we all must come forward and help the mankind. This is the true message of Qurbani."
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| Zakat or charity is one of the five pillars of Islam! |
Zakat or charity is one of the five pillars of Islam; the other being Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting) and the Hajj. Eid al Adha is all about sacrifice and it is an ideal time to donate to the affected victims of Kerala.
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