By Zain Ghani
Eid ul-Adha (meaning Festival of the Sacrifice) is the second Eid celebration in the Islamic year that Muslims celebrate. This falls on the last closing day of Hajj, one of the 5 Pillars in Islam. Hajj is a pilgrimage performed only once every year in the month of Dhull Hijjah where millions of Muslims all around the world visit the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and carry out a series of actions of worship to Allah (God). One of the actions involved with Eid ul-Adha is sacrificing an animal in remembrance of Prophet Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail when commanded by Allah.
This year, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Eid ul-Adha (Sunday 16th June – dependant on the sighting of the crescent moon), with the Hajj Pilgrimage being performed within the first 9 days. Eid ul-Adha starts with Muslims attending the mosque in the morning for special prayers to show gratitude and praise to Allah. Muslims are recommended to have a bath, wear clean clothes, wear perfume, walk to the mosque in take part in praise and worship. After the Eid prayer, Muslim’s return home, collect the meat from the sacrificed animal and begin cooking this meat to eat and share with family and friends.
All Muslims who can afford this are required to take part and offer a sacrifice. Many people pay for animals to be sacrificed in poor countries so people their benefit in receiving meat to feed themselves and their families on this religious celebration.
Did you know?
- Eid ul-Adha occurs in the month Dhul Hijjah, the 12 and final month in the Islamic lunar calendar year.
- Muslims who are offering a sacrifice are not permitted to cut their hair or nails for the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah.
- Animals that can be sacrificed for Eid ul-Adha are: Goat, Sheep, Cow, and Camel.
- The meat is divided into 3 parts: 1 portion for the family who have sacrificed the animal, 1 portion for friends and relatives, and the last portion for the poor.
- The most blessed days in the Islamic lunar calendar are the first 10 days of Dhull Hijjah. Whereas the most blessed nights in the Islamic lunar calendar occur in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
- Eid ul-Adha is known as ‘big’ Eid with it lasting over 3 days. This is to allow time for families to distribute the meat and visit other family and friends across these days.
I wish to take this opportunity to say Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating Eid ul-Adha across North Halifax Partnership.
