Eid ul Adhaa: The festival of sacrifice

31 Jul, 2020 - 00:07 0 Views
Eid ul Adhaa: The festival of sacrifice

The ManicaPost

THE 12th month of the Islamic calendar is called Dhul Hijjah. It is the month that contains one of the greatest pillars of Islam — Hajj or the major pilgrimage. It also contains one of only two recurring Islamic festivals, “Eid ul Adhaa”.

These two special occasions, the Hajj and Eid ul Adhaa, are inextricably linked by one special man, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), known in Jewish and Christian traditions as Prophet Abraham.

Presently millions of Muslims from across the globe have converged on the Holy City of Makkah in Saudi Arabia for the fulfilment of the once in a lifetime Pilgrimage (Hajj).

Making the pilgrimage is often called following in the footsteps of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).

This is due to the fact that the rites and practices involved in the pilgrimage replicate many of the events in Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)’s life.

Eid ul Adhaa commemorates a specific trial in the life of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).

He was commanded by God Almighty to sacrifice his son Ishmael (peace be upon him) and he displayed immediate obedience and willingness.

Eid ul Adha occurs on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the day on which most of the Hajj rites have been performed and the pilgrims slaughter an animal to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) obedience to God Almighty.

In a divinely inspired dream, Abraham (peace be upon him) saw himself sacrificing his son Ishmael (peace be upon him) and revealed the dream to his son.

He readily agreed that his father must carry out the command of God Almighty.

Together they went to the place of sacrifice and offered Ishmael’s life to God Almighty. Abraham (peace be upon him) prepared to sacrifice his beloved son.

At this point the shaytaan (satan) attempted to distract Abraham (peace be upon him), trying to make him disobey God, but Abraham (peace be upon him) resisted and drove the shaytaan away.

Abraham (peace be upon him) looked down at his son for what he believed was the last time but as the blade came close to Ishmael’s neck, God Almighty revealed that there was no need for him to continue.

His sacrifice had already been fulfilled.

“Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to God, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists.

“ He was grateful for God’s bounties (upon him). God chose him and guided him unto a right path.

“We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous.” (Holy Quran Ch 16 : v 120-121)

God Almighty replaced Ishmael with a sheep and it is for this reason that Muslims sacrifice an animal on the celebration of Eid ul Adhaa.

However, it is more than a celebration, it is a reminder.

We are reminded of our own submission to the will of God Almighty.

Giving up something big for the sake of God Almighty, such as the life of your child, must seem like a huge and unimaginable sacrifice. Today even going without something small, such as a cup of coffee, to donate the money to charity seems like a large sacrifice.

Try to imagine how Abraham must have felt as he held the blade above his child’s neck. It was only at the last moment that he was relieved by none other than God Almighty himself!

The Muslims who are not making the Pilgrimage but can afford it, sacrifice an animal at home in remembrance of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)’s test.

Distributing the meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adhaa strengthens many of our efforts to please God Almighty with our piety.

Usually, a portion is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, a portion is given to friends and neighbours while a portion is donated to the poor.

The act symbolises our willingness to give up our bounties to strengthen ties of kinship and friendship and our enthusiasm to give up things that are of benefit to us in order to help those who are in need.

In the sacrifice, we recognise that all blessings come from God Almighty.

For those who are not at the Pilgrimage, the day of Eid ul Adhaa begins with an early morning prayer performed in congregation, called the Eid prayer.

The Eid is a time of sacrifice and celebration, a time to visit family and friends and thank God Almighty for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

It demands contact with relatives, kindness to family and neighbours, and empathy and compassion for the poor.

Above all, Eid ul Adha reminds us that God Almighty is great and that He is the source of all bounties.

Through the good times and the trying times, God Almighty is the source of all our comfort and peace, and submission to Him brings great benefits.

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Publications Department, P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare. Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003. e-mail: [email protected].

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