Eid Ul-Adha

Introduction:

This blog is going to discuss Eid Ul-Adha in islam. There are two feasts in islam, the lesser bairam or eid ul-fitr and the greater bairam, or eid ul adha. A feast in islam is a time of joy, eating, drinking and mentioning Allah, as prophet Mohammad said. Muslims should look their best on the feast day. Also, Muslims are allowed to enjoy the blessings of Allah on the feast. There are some certain acts which Muslims do on the feast, especially Eid ul-Adha. Muslims are either pilgrims performing pilgrimage in Makkah or not attending pilgrimage and living outside Makkah.

The philosophy of feasts in Islam:

Islam urges its followers to worship Allah and enjoy their life in a beneficial way. Generally, feasts in Islam are preceded by a kind of worship. Before Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims go fasting during the ninth lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, Muslims celebrate completing the month of fasting. Similarly, Muslims some exert effort in worshiping Allah by performing pilgrimage. Consequently, Muslims celebrate the occasion by celebrating Eid ul Adha. It is very important to note that Muslims performing pilgrimage exert their effort in the obedience of Allah by doing the acts of pilgrimage. On the other hand, Muslims who are not performing pilgrimage, go fasting on the day of Arafat.

Eid ul-Adha, the day of slaughtering sacrifices:

Outside Makkah and away from the pilgrimage sites, Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims go to open places to perform the Eid ul-Adha prayer. Dressed mostly in white, looking happy and looking their best, Muslims are recommended to perform the Eid ul-Adha prayer just after the sunrise of the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah. It is better to perform the prayer as early as possible to give the Muslims who are going to slaughter their sacrifices, to give them the chance to finish their work. However, Muslims can sacrifice their animals all the three following days.

The etiquette of sacrifice:

The animals to be sacrificed must meet certain qualities and specifications to be accepted. First, these animals must be either goats, sheep, cows, buffaloes or camels. they must be healthy animals reaching certain ages. it is recommended that the muslim who sacrifices an animal should slaughter their animals. If not, they are recommended to witness the slaughtering process. a muslim makes their sacrifice with the intention of pleasing and satisfying allah only. Moreover, the sacrifice and the slaughtering process must take place after, not before the eid ul-adha prayer. The animal sacrifices should be divided into three parts. One third is for the household, one third for the friends and the last third is for the poor.

Eid ul-adha in makkah:

Eid ul-Adha for the pilgrims in Makkah is totally different. In the first place, pilgrims must not go fasting on the day of Arafat. Likewise, pilgrims do not perform the eid ul-adha prayer. On the tenth of dhul-hijjah, pilgrims are busy pelting the three jamarat in mina. After pelting the three jamarat, pilgrims slaughter their animals of sacrifice in mina. pilgrims are busy with their acts of pilgrimage. Some pilgrims have their head hair cut or razored. Others go to Makkah to do tawaf al-ifada. Some other pilgrims do Saee between al-safa and al-marwa. Observing the order of such acts of pilgrimage is not a must.