Every year, we Muslims celebrate the Eid Ul Adha with great enthusiasm and fun. From praying the eid prayers to sacrificing the animals in the name of Allah, the Eid ul Adha is memorable in numerous ways.
Besides, there are a number of must-know facts about the eid ul Adha as well as why we celebrate the eid in the first place. Thus, Quran Xperts thinks that it’s better to make you aware of everything. Therefore, before we celebrate this year’s Eid Ul Adha, let us first know the background as well as the important facts about this Holy day of the Muslim world. So, here we go.
Points Of Discussion
Table of Contents
Meaning of Eid Ul Adha
In literal words, Eid ul Adha is a Muslim festival celebrated for three days in some areas and for four days in other parts of the world. The festival is celebrated after the annual pilgrimage Hajj in Makkah and commemorates the sacrifice of the Prophet Abraham (AS).
When Is Eid Ul Adha Celebrated?
According to the Islamic Calendar (better known as the Hijrah Calendar), the Eid ul Adha is celebrated from the 10th of Zil Hajj to the 12th of Zil Hajj. After the eid prayers, the Muslims return to their homes and sacrifice their animals in the name of Allah (Azza Wa Jall).
How About A Little Background?
Eid Ul Adha is celebrated due to a variety of reasons. But the major reason that we know about when it comes to celebrating Eid Ul Adha is the sacrificial story of the Prophet Adam (AS) and his son Prophet Ismail (AS).
The story begins when the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) has a dream in which he sees Allah commanding him to sacrifice his son. The Prophet Ibrahim sees the same dream for about three days (this might be a bit conflicting because some scholars believe that he saw the dream only once, while the others believe the number to be three).
In any case, after seeing the dream, the Prophet Ibrahim (referred to as the Prophet Abraham in the Bible), asks for his son’s consent about the matter. Hazrat Ismail (AS) agrees that whatever Allah commands must be done even if it means taking his own life.
Thus, the next day, the Prophet along with his son go for the sacrifice in the name of Allah. According to numerous sources, it is stated that Satan tried multiple times to stop the Prophet Ibrahim to carry out Allah’s command. Every time he tried to stop them, the Prophet Ibrahim threw pebbles at him to turn him away.
Finally, they reached a point where the sacrifice could be made. Here the Prophet Ibrahim blindfolded himself so that he would not see his own son dying in front of him. But when he was about to run the knife on his son’s neck, Allah (Azza Wa Jall) pulled Ismail (AS) away and brought a sheep in his stead. This way, the sacrifice was made but the sacrifice was a sheep from the nearby herd instead of the Prophet’s son.
Thus, each year Muslims all over the world commemorate this ritual on the day of Eid Ul Adha and present their sacrifice to the Almighty. Sacrificing animals on such a day is important because if Ibrahim (AS) could sacrifice his own son on Allah’s command, then why can we? Besides, we can get numerous other benefits by celebrating Eid Al Adha.
5 Facts About Eid Ul Adha
Here are the 5 Facts about Eid-ul-Adha that every Muslim should know about.
1. Eid Ul Adha Marks The End Of Hajj
The Eid Ul Adha starts when the Hajj pilgrimage comes to end. Hajj is amongst the five pillars of Islam and is performed by millions of Muslims every day. Interestingly, just like the Eid ul Fitr announces the end of Ramadan, the Eid ul Adha announces the end of the Hajj season. Muslims who perform Hajj celebrate the Eid on the next day in Makkah. While the Muslims who are not present for the Hajj, celebrate the eid in their respective areas.
2. Muslims Take A Different Road Towards Home After Eid Prayers
It is customary for Muslims to move through different paths after the Eid prayers. In fact, it is the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) as well. Sahih Bukhari narrates:
Jabir Bin Abdullah narrated:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو تُمَيْلَةَ، يَحْيَى بْنُ وَاضِحٍ عَنْ فُلَيْحِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ عِيدٍ خَالَفَ الطَّرِيقَ. تَابَعَهُ يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ فُلَيْحٍ. وَحَدِيثُ جَابِرٍ أَصَحُّ. |
Translation:
On the Day of `Id the Prophet (ﷺ) used to return (after offering the `Id prayer) through a way different from that by which he went. |
The reason why one should carry this out is that you can get the chance of meeting different new people and you can wish them Eid.
3. The Meats Get Distributed On A One-Third Rule
Know that on Eid Al Adha, it is important that not only you should enjoy the meat feast, but you should distribute the meat to the ones who are not fortunate enough. The distribution of meat is done according to one-third.
One-third of the meat is given to the household, while one-third goes to the family members or the neighbors. The remaining one-third is given to the poor and deserving people so that they can also enjoy the celebrations of Eid.
In fact, this is what sacrificing is all about. To make sure everyone gets their share and the Muslim Ummah celebrates the Eid together.
4. Dishes vary from Country To Country
Each destination/nation has its own special Dish. For the Muslims living in the sub-continent, it’s biryani or Karahi, for the Muslims living in the US, it might be spaghetti bolonnoise, while the ones who live in Africa would enjoy the spicy Beef offals.
The point is although the sacrifice is made on the same day, for the same purpose, each destination enjoys its own famous and favorite dish.
5. The Most Memorable time for kids
I remember the time when my dad would bring the sacrificial animals to our home. We would play with them all day long. Sadly, when these animals would be sacrificed, it would hurt a lot and we wouldn’t want them to go away like this. But we were kids then, we did not understand the cause or the purpose.
We know, kids these days have the same feelings. This is the most memorable and enjoyable time for kids. Kids play with their specific animals all day long.
The Story Of Prophet Adam And His Sons
Sacrificing what means most to a person for the sake of Allah goes way back than you can imagine. Sacrifices for Allah were even made in the time of the First Prophet and man on Earth, Prophet Adam (AS).
Allah (Azza Wa Jall) to the Prophet Adam that both his sons should offer a sacrifice. Whosoever’s sacrifice is accepted by Allah (Azza Wa Jall), he will marry the female both the brothers were interested in.
Both his sons Habil a shepherd, and Qabil a farmer began their preparations. Habil sacrificed his favorite and the best and healthiest ram for Allah, while Qabil was not willing to offer the best crops. Thus, he gave simple crops from his land.
Habil’s sacrifice was accepted while Qabil’s was rejected. Unable to marry the one he wanted to, Qabil murdered his brother Habil, thus registering the first murder in human history.
Quranic Verses About Eid Ul Adha
Almighty Allah (Azza Wa Jall) mentions the sacrificial ritual of Eid Ul Adha in the Quran with the following words:
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٣٦ |
Translation:
We have made sacrificial camels ˹and cattle˺ among the symbols of Allah, in which there is ˹much˺ good for you. So pronounce the Name of Allah over them when they are lined up ˹for sacrifice˺. Once they have fallen ˹lifeless˺ on their sides, you may eat from their meat, and feed the needy—those who do not beg, and those who do. In this way We have subjected these ˹animals˺ to you so that you may be grateful. |
The following verse says:
لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٣٧ |
Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it is your piety that reaches Him. This is how He has subjected them to you so that you may proclaim the greatness of Allah for what He has guided you to, and give good news to the good-doers. |
The Prophet’s Sunnah Related To Eid Ul Adha
There are a number of Sunnahs of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) regarding the Eid Ul Adha which you should know. These are
1)
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسٌ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ،. أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِي الأَضْحَى وَالْفِطْرِ، ثُمَّ يَخْطُبُ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ. |
Translation:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer the prayer of `Id-ul-Adha and `Id-ul-Fitr and then deliver the Khutba after the prayer. |
2)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ تُرْكَزُ الْحَرْبَةُ قُدَّامَهُ يَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَالنَّحْرِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي. |
Translation: Narrated by Ibn Umar:
On the day of `Id-ul-Fitr and `Id-ul-Adha a spear used to be planted in front of the Prophet (as a Sutra for the prayer) and then he would pray. |
Final Words
Eid ul Adha is the most memorable time of the year for all Muslims. The beginning and end of the Hajj season, celebrating eid, and sacrificing animals in the name of Allah, are among the best days in the lives of the Muslims.
But when celebrating such an event, it is highly important to know the background of why we celebrate such an event. Besides, it is important to know the numerous facts about the Eid Ul Adha. Thus, Quran Xperts has brought to you the complete guide you guys need to know about.
So, Happy Eid To All Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters Out There.
