Eid-Ul-Adha

In the history of Islam, Muslims celebrates two great festivals annually - Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The first is the great festival that follows the month of Ramadan when the fast is broken. The second occurs about two months later during the month of Zil-Hajj when an animal is sacrificed in commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice of his son. This festival is incorporated in the great pilgrimage to Mecca which should properly be made during this month but it is also observed all over the Muslim world at the same time. The underlying importance of this festival is the spirit of sacrifice (qurbani) in memory of Abraham's great act of faith many centuries ago.

"The celebration of Eid-Ul-Adha is in commemoration of the command give by Allah to Prophet Abraham (may Allah be pleased with him) to sacrifice his first born son Ismael to Him. The fulfilment of this noble command of Allah by Abraham signifies his faith in Allah...."

Hazrat Ibrahim was asked to sacrifice his son for Allah. Without any hesitation, he agreed to do so. Also Hazrat Ismael agreed with his father’s wish. So Hazrat Ibrahim took his son to the slaughter place. In the meanwhile, Shaitaan tried his level best to forbid both Hazrat Ibrahim and Ismaeel from this task, but he failed to do so. When both Ibrahim and Ismaeel reached the slaughter place, Ibrahim put a piece of cloth onto his eyes and started sacrificing his son. He passed in his test by Allah and his son was kept safe and sound. So the history of Eid-ul-Azha is related to this beautiful historical incident.

Eid-Ul-Adha is observed after the conclusion of the Hajj. The first day of this celebration is held on the 10th day of Duhl-Hijja, which is the last month of the Muslim year. In most areas, the Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated over several days. 2

Islamic months begin at sunset on the day when the lunar crescent appears after the new moon, and can be sighted by the unaided eye . "Visibility depends on a large number of factors including weather condition, the altitude of the moon at sunset, the closeness of the moon to the sun at sunset, the interval between sunset and moonset, atmospheric pollution, the quality of the eyesight of the observer, use of optical aids etc." 3 As a result, although the phases of the moon can be predicted accurately, the moon's visibility at a given place on Earth cannot be estimated in advance. Thus, the feast day has always been celebrated on different days in various areas of the world.

This eid, as similar to eid-ul-fiter is celebrated with its full. It carries with itself lots of chances to enjoy and get rid of usual daily routine. Cousins meet and greet each other and exchange of gifts also takes place on this special day. Children go to the playgrounds, playlands as fast food restaurants on this day. These places are seen crowdie during eid days. Elders are usually seen busy greeting their friends, relative and other beloved ones for this special day.

When the day of eid arrives, the Muslims firstly go for namaz of eid to the mosques or Eidgaahs. Afterwards they enjoy any sort of sweet and tea in their breakfast and have lots of fun with their family members. Keeping in mind the more values of Islam and sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, the Muslims purchase goats, camels, cows etc to sacrifice in the way of Allah and His happiness.

They are found to make efforts to get accepted their animals in the way of Allah. May Allah accept the sacrifices of every Muslim, Ameen. As a Muslim we do believe the true teachings of Quran and Quran clarifies that Allah has given this great promise to Ibrahim that he would be the father of many nations of the future. In a quotation this promise has being made clear that, “Lo: I have appointed thee a leader for mankind”. (Surah 2.124).

Some of the meat is given to the poor - often one third. The rest is shared among the family, relatives and friends.

In addition, Eid-Ul-Adha is a time when Muslims pray for forgiveness from God and strength of faith. They, in turn, forgive others, releasing any feelings of enmity or ill feeling towards others.

Related POst
- Islamic Way of Slaughtering
- Eid-Ul-Adha Wallpaper

Islamic Way of Slaughtering

The Islamic method of slaughtering animals, known as Zabiha has been the object of much criticism from a large number of people. Zabiha is an Arabic word which means ‘slaughtered’. The ‘slaughtering’ is to be done by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord.

The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed. The purpose is to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a good culture medium for micro organisms. The spinal cord must not be cut because the nerve fibres to the heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels.

Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore the Muslim way of slaughtering is more hygienic as most of the blood containing germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. that are the cause of several diseases are eliminated.

The Halal method: With the halal method of slaughter, there was not change in the EEG graph for the first three seconds after the incision was made, indicating that the animal did not feel any pain from the cut itself. This is not surprising. Often, if we cut ourselves with a sharp implement, we do not notice until some time later. The following three seconds were characterised by a condition of deep sleep-like unconciousness brought about by the draining of large quantities of blood from the body. Thereafter the EEG recorded a zero reading, indicating no pain at all, yet at that time the heart was still beating and the body convulsing vigorously as a reflex reaction of the spinal cord. It is this phase which is most unpleasant to onlookers who are falsely convinced that the animal suffers whilst its brain does actually no longer record any sensual messages.

The Western method: Using the Western method, the animals were apparently unconscious after stunning, and this method of dispatch would appear to be much more peaceful for the onlooker. However, the EEG readings indicated severe pain immediately after stunning. Whereas in the first example, the animal ceases to feel pain due to the brain starvation of blood and oxygen – a brain death, to put it in laymen’s terms – the second example first causes a stoppage of the heart whilst the animal still feels pain. However, there are no unsightly convulsions, which not only means that there is more blood retention in the meat, but also that this method lends itself much more conveniently to the efficiency demands of modern mass slaughter procedures. It is so much easier to dispatch an animal on the conveyor belt, if it does not move.

Islam is a balanced way of life. For Muslims, the privilege of supplementing their diet with animal protein implies a duty to animal welfare, both during the rearing of the animal and during the slaughter. Modern Western farming and slaughter, on the other hand, aims at the mass consumer market and treats the animal as a commodity. Just as battery hens are easier for large-scale egg production, Western slaughter methods are easier for the meat industry, but they do neither the animal nor the end consumer any favours. The Islamic way guarantees a healthier life for the animal and a healthier meat for the consumer.