Eid al-Adha Mubarak

Eid al-Adha (also known as Bakra Eid) falls 2 months and 10 days after Eid ul-Fitr. Eid al-Adha is one of the two Eids that Muslims celebrate all over the world. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice an animal and divide the meat into 3 parts. One is given to the poor, the other is distributed among relatives and the remaining is kept for oneself and one’s family.

Eid al-Adha is a reminder of the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had recurring dreams that he is to sacrifice his son. As a Prophet he knew that dreams were a message from Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) commanded Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (AS), on Mount Mina near Makkah. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), unable to bear the sight, blindfolded himself and carried out the sacrifice. When he took the blindfold off, a ram lay slaughtered on the altar instead of his son.

This is the story of extraordinary obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), who was ready to sacrifice his son on Allah’s command. This is the son that he got after a lot of years with many duas. This story also shows the incredible obedience of Hazrat Ismael (AS). Even after receiving the order of Allah (SWT), Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) could not just drag his son to the altar. He told Hazrat Ismael (AS) about the dreams and surprisingly, Hazrat Ismael (AS) did not have any hesitation. While very young, he was ready to go under the knife to obey the order of Allah (SWT).

This was the level of obedience that both father and son had for Allah (SWT).

Holy Quran: “O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!” So We gave him the good news of a boy, possessing forbearance. And when (his son) was old enough to walk and work with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!” (The son) said: “O my father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah wills, you will find me one practising patience and steadfastness!” So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead, We called out to him saying: O Ibraheem! You have indeed fulfilled the vision; surely thus do We reward those who do good. Most surely this was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. “Peace and salutation to Abraham!” Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

Eid is a day of celebration. Muslims wear new clothes and celebrate the day with vigor. The morning starts of with the Eid prayers and proceeds with visits to friends and relatives. And of course, the slaughter of an animal.

Below are some virtues of sacrificing an animal on Eid al-Adha.

The sacrificed animal shall come on the day of judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart (Tirmizi, Ibne Majah).

Hazrat Zaid ibn Arqam (RA) relates that the Beloved Companions (Radiallahu Anhum) asked, “O Rasulullah (SAW), what is Qurbani?” He replied, “It is the Sunnah (practice) of your father Ibrahim (AS).” They asked again, “what benefit do we get from it?” He answered, “A reward for every hair of the sacrificed animal. “And what reward is there for animals with wool, O’ Rasulullah (SAW)?” they asked. “A reward”, he said, “for every fibre of the wool.” (Ibne Majah).

When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the day of judgment with its blood, meat, etc, and shall be increased in weight seventy times more than its own weight, and thereafter it will be placed on the scale of deeds. (Kanzul Ummal).