Eid Al-adha: The Feast Of Sacrifice

Mufti Salatur Rahman *

Id-ul Adha celebration at Babupura, Imphal on 27 October 2012 :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated by Muslims all over the world as a major holiday for a period of three days. The majority of Muslims will attend the special prayer held at different major mosques and open-air gathering places for Eidsin Manipur and all over the world.

When asked about the origin of Eid al-Adha, The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is reported to have said, "It is a tradition that has come down to us from Ibrahim."The Feast of Sacrifice dates from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah, in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Ismail. But while he was in the act of sacrificing his son, Allah sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Ibrahim that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.

The story is mentioned in of the Qur'an; Ibrahim prayed,
"My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous." So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah will), you shall find me of the patient ones."

Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); And We called out to him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward the good-doers. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (a ram); And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times.Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim!" Thus indeed do We reward the good-doers.

Eid al-Adha enjoys special significance because the Day of Sacrifice marks the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam. This annual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.

Sunnahs pertaining to the day of 'Eid al-Adha:

1. Wake up early.
2. Prepare for personal cleanliness; take care of details of clothing, etc.
3. Take a bath after Fajr.
4. Brush your teeth.
5. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
6. Use perfume (men only).
7. Have breakfast on Eid-al-Adha aftereid-namaz or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
8. Go to eid-gah early.
9. Offer Eid-prayer in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
10. Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.

Eid-ul-Adhais a unique occasion in every way. Besides its highly spiritual and moral characteristics, it has matchless qualities.

Eid-ul-Adha is a day of remembrance. Even in the most joyful times, Muslims make a fresh start of the day by a session of congregational prayers to Allah in an open space.

Muslims use the occasion to pray to Allah and glorify His name, to demonstrate the remembrance of His grace and favours. Along with that course, Muslims also remember the deceased by praying for their souls to rest in peace. The needy and vulnerable in society are also remembered by showing them sympathy and consolation.

In sum Eid-ul-Adha transcends all limits and expands over the dimensions of human life. It marks a day of victory for the Muslim. The individual Muslim who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receive the Eid with victorious spirit. The Muslim who faithfully observes the duties which are associated with the Eid, is a triumphant one.

The day is also one of forgiveness. When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength of faith. And Allah has assured those who approach him with sincerity, of His mercy and forgiveness.

In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation, any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself to hold any enmity or ill feeling if he had been exposed to any. Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the day to purify his heart and soul. It is hoped that this year's Eid-Ul-Adha will bring about peace in Manipur and the world at large.

It is also hoped that our brothers and sisters of Manipur will reflect soberly on this festive occasion and bury their individual and collective differences to give peace a lasting chance. Total peace in Manipur will bring about development.

Peace be unto us and the love of Allah .