What is Eid ul Adha?
Eid ul Adha is a festival of Muslims, which is celebrated at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Makkah Mukarrama, the Hajj, and in commemoration of the great sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS), on the command of Allah (SWT).
The festival is celebrated universally by Muslims over a holiday of 3 to 4 days.
The History of Eid ul Adha:
Eid ul Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Hijri calendar, Dhul-Hijjah. it reminds Muslims of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness and steadfastness to sacrifice his son because Allah commanded it to him in a dream. This command was a test from Allah for his Prophet who passed it with flying colors. Muslims all over the world, celebrate this day and the devotion that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) showed to Allah.
Why Do We Celebrate Eid ul Adha?
The sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) holds great value in the history of Islam. All Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha annually, to pay tribute to this sacrifice and to revive the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) while gaining the mercy and blessings of Allah. The festival entails sacrificing a ram, cow, sheep, or camel. Eid ul Adha and the Sacrifice of Ibrahim (AS)
The Quraan says:
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. (al-Anaam, 162)
sacrifice millions of animals annually
The Muslims of the world, sacrifice millions of animals annually in memory of this great episode of which there is no other example in the world.
This event occurred about 5000 years ago in the land of Arabia. What a test of faith it must have been when an old but affectionate father said to his son, the center of his world:
“Oh, my dear son! Indeed I have seen a dream that I must sacrifice you! Tell me what you think?”
And his committed son replied:
“O father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.”
Prophet Ismael (AS) the embodiment of faith and innocence presented himself to his father for the greatest sacrifice. And Prophet Ibrahim (AS) the most affectionate father knelt on his son’s chest to slaughter him, solely for the pleasure of his Lord.
Allah al-Rahmaan and al-Raheem, witnessing this great act of obedience, called out to his Prophets:
‘O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial’
Surah As Safaat 104-106
The Reasons for the Sacrifice?
Allah says:
"Neither their flesh, nor their blood reaches Allah, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him."
Surah Hajj, verse 37
Sacrifice in the Light of the Quraan
Allah commanded Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) to sacrifice in the Quran:
“Therefore, pray to your Lord and make the sacrifice.”
Surah Al Kosar, verse 2
Sacrifice in the Light of Ahadith
Hadith 1:
Hazarat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) states: “The Prophet (PBUH) stayed in Madina for 10 years and he (PBUH) performed sacrifice every year.”
Hadith 2:
The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) asked: o Prophet of Allah (PBUH)! What is the sacrifice? He replied: it is the Sunnah of our father Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The companions asked: what reward do we get for this? The Prophet (PBUH) replied: for every hair of the animal you get a reward”
Ibn e maharajah
What Makes Sacrifice Waajib?
It is narrated by Abu Huraira, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
whosoever has the means to sacrifice yet does not sacrifice then he should remain as far as possible from the Eidgah.- Sunan Ibn e Maajah
Who is Sacrifice Waajib for?
The conditions for sacrifice:
The person who intends to make the sacrifice has to be Muslim.
- Permanent Resident
The person who intends to make a sacrifice needs to be static and not travel.
- Affordability
The person intending to make the sacrifice should be able to afford the sacrifice
- Adult
The person intending to do a sacrifice needs to be above the age of puberty.
The time and duration of the Sacrifice:
The time of offering sacrifice starts on the morning of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts till the afternoon of the 12th Dhul-Hijjah. Sacrifices can only be made after the Eid prayer (sacrifices made before do not count as Qurbani).
Distribution of the Sacrificial Meat:
The best way to distribute the sacrificial meat is, it must be given in three shares – one for you, one for family or friends, and one for people experiencing poverty and those in need, who were not able to afford the sacrifice themself. But, if you have a large family with many members then you can keep the meat for yourself.
How Should Sacrificial Animals Be Slaughtered?
The animal should be hung with its front facing the Qiblah. It is best to slaughter the animal yourself, but if you do not know how you should remain present whilst someone else sacrifices the animal. It should be slaughtered using a sharp knife to avoid any undue pain. The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animal. If you are sacrificing more than one animal then they should not be slaughtered in front of each other. It is also necessary to say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” when slaughtering the animal. Slaughtered animals are not to be skinned until completely cold.
Dua to be recited before slaughtering the animal:
انی و جهت وجهي للذی فطر السموت والارض حنيفا وما انا من المشركين ۔ ان صلاتی و نسکی و محیای و مماتی لله رب العالمين .لا شريك له وبذالك امرت وانا اول المسلمين.
“Inni Wajjahto Wajhiya Lillazi Fatarassamawati Wal’arda Hanifaw Wamaa Anaa Minal Mushrikeen , Inni Salaati Wa Nusooki Wa Mah’yaaya Wa Ma’maati Lillahi Rabbil Aalameen . Laa Shareeka Lahu Wa Bizaalika Umirtu Wa Anaa Minal Muslimeen”
“For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens end the earth. And never shall I give partners to Allah. Verily my worship and my sacrifice. my living and my dying are for Allah.
Dua to be recited after the sacrifice: Eid Ul Adha
اللهم تقبل منى كما تقبلت من خليلك ابراهيم عليه السلام وجيبك محمد صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم
“Allahumma Taqabbal Minni Kamaa Taqabbalta Min Khaleelika Ibraheema Alaihis Salaam Wa Habeebika Muhammadin Sallalaho Alaihi Wasallam” “O Allah accept from me this sacrifice like you have accepted from your beloved Muhammad and your friend Hazrat Ebrahim. Peace be upon them.”
EID TAKBEERAT
The Eid salah is prayed on Eid morning after the Fajar prayer. The timing can vary from Mosque to Mosque. It is Sunnah to shower and wear new or best clothes on Eid day and apply perfume (for men). Before leaving for Eid prayers one should eat something sweet. Sunnah is to eat three dates before leaving for Eid prayers.
Al-Nawawi said, “The scholars agreed with Al-Shafi’i that it is recommended to wear the best clothes on the day of Eid.”
Source: al-Majmū’ Sharḥ al-Muhadhdhab 5/8
The Eid takbeerat are the words to be recited while going for Eid prayers. All Muslims should recite the Takbeer after every Fard prayer during the Eid days, starting from the Fajr prayer on the 9th Dhul-Hijjah to the Asar prayer on the 13th Dhul-Hijjah. The act of reciting Takbeer is wajib (obligatory) for every Muslim, male or female, whether they pray in the congregation or individually.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ . وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ.
‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaaha illa-llaah, wa-llaahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li-llaahil hamd.’
“God is the Greatest, there is none worthy of worship besides God, and to God belongs all praise”.
It is also a Sunnah to take different routes while going to offer Eid prayers and while returning, to greet as many Muslims for Eid as possible.
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would return on the day of Eid by using a different route from which he came.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 986
Date of Eid ul Adha IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, 2024
In Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, the expected date of Eid ul Adha is June 28, whereas in Pakistan Eid ul Adha will be celebrated on the 28th or 29th of June.
The Islamic Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar which means it follows the phases of the moon. Eid ul Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, this can lie on different days in different countries. Here are some of the dates of Eid ul Adha for Muslim countries:
- Saudi Arabia: 28th June 2023
- Bahrain: 28th June 2023
- UAE: 28th June 2023
- Oman: 28th June 2023
- Kuwait: 28th June 2023
- Egypt: 28th June 2023
- Turkey: 28th June 2023
- Palestine: 28th June 2023
- Pakistan: 29th June 2023
- India: 29th June 2023
- Afghanistan: 29th June 2023
- Azerbaijan: 29th June 2023
- Bangladesh: 29th June 2023
Eid Greetings from Around the World
Eid is a very happy occasion and it is very common to hear many catchy phrases to spread the joy of Eid. Muslims all over the world greet each other by hugging each other and wishing each other lots of happiness! Here are some Eid greetings in various languages:
- Eid Mubarak! the most common phrase said around the world
- ‘Selamat Hari Raya’. this translates to Happy Celebration Day! The Muslims of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore use this phrase.
- ‘Gezuar Bajramin’ the Muslims of Albania, Kosovo, and Bosnia use this phrase, meaning Eid Mubarak.
- ‘Ni ti yuun’ palli’ this phrase is used by the Muslims of Ghana. it translates to Eid Mubarak.
- ‘Kai zhai jie kuai le’, this is Chinese for Happy Festival! There are 28 million Muslims in China who use this phrase on Eid.
- ‘Jazhnt Piroz’, this phrase is used by the Kurdish people in Iraq and Iran and it translates to Happy Eid.
Conclusion
The happy occasion of Eid ul Adha, celebrated by Muslims around the world, starting on 10th Dhul-Hijjah and ending on 12th Dhul-Hijjah, is a historical event. This Eid is celebrated to revive the memory of the great sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ready to make for Allah’s sake. It shows the great devotion he and his son Prophet Ismail (AS) had towards Allah the Almighty.
Muslims sacrifice various animals on all three days of Eid, it can be a ram, goat, camel, or cow. The meat is then distributed to neighbors, friends, and the poor and needy. A third of it is also kept at home.
Eid ul Adha is one of the two Eid celebrations by Muslims. It is a time to be happy, joyful, and thankful to Allah, with close friends and family.
May Allah bless us all with jubilant Eids every year, Ameen!
