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Asalamwaliakum Qareen, Hello readers. Every year we celebrate this auspicious festival known as Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakri Eid and Bari Eid, which marks an important festival for the Muslim community all over the world.
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Eid al-Adha is celebrated for 4 days. It starts on the 10th Dhu al-Hajj (12th month of the Islamic moon calendar), ending on the 14th Dhu al-Hajj. In connection to that, the Hajj is performed on the 8th, 9th and 10th of this month. Due to the Muslims believe in the moon calendar, the date of Muslim festivals varies in the Gregorian calendar.
The fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj, is the first thing connected with Eid ul-Adha. Pilgrims go to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage. The Hajj is one of the biggest religious gatherings happening.
The first part of Hajj starts on the way to Mecca. In the place "Al Miqqat", Muslims perform the ghusl (bath) and men put on perfume before wearing two pieces of unstitched, white clothes(izar and Rida), while women wear simple clothes which don't cover their face and hands. After speaking a prayer and getting into a clean phase (Irham), they leave for Mecca. Arriving there they do the first Tawaaf around the Kaaba followed by the Sai (a walk between the Hills Safa and Marwa). They start a walk to Mina after that. The next morning, they continue going to Arafat. Staying on top of there is considered an important part, as well as an emotional part, during the Pilgrimage. Muslims consider it the time to ask for forgiveness from god. Staying there till night, they continue to Muzdalifa for staying a night. A while before sunrise, the journey back to Mina begins. As a ritual 7 stones are thrown on the Jamraat al-Aqaba, which symbolize the devil. Afterwards, men cut all their hairs off while women cut a strain off. This symbolizes a new beginning, away from the old sins.
On the 10th of Dhu al-Hajj, animals are slaughtered. The pilgrims only get a small part for them while most of it is left over for the poor people. Along with that, the phase of Irham ends. Coming back to Mecca and the Kaaba, they perform the Tawaaf (7 circles around the Kaaba anti-clockwise). Afterwards, the pilgrims walk 7 times between the Hills of Safa and Marwa. The following 2-3 days, the pilgrims spend in Mina. There again the three Jamraat which symbolize the devil: Jamraat al-Ula, Jamraat al-Wusta and Jamraat al-Aqaba are hit with 7 stones each. The Hajj ends with the final Tawaaf and Sai.
The second important part of Eid al-Adha is to sacrifice. Most animals such as cows, goats, sheep or camels are slaughtered on eid. That meat is divided into three parts for family, for relatives and the poor people.It is in no way connected to shedding blood for Allah's satisfaction. It's more important to sacrifice something in the name of Allah. The animal sacrifice is a Sunnah going from the start of the connection with Eid. It is known that Caliphs have often sacrificed other things than meat. The Quran states that the meat or blood won't reach Allah. The devotion of devotees will reach him.
The background of this is that the prophet Abraham got a command from God to sacrifice his son. He quite a few times saw himself sacrificing his son in his dreams. Knowing it's a command of his god, he told this to his son, Ishmael. Ishmael replied to him to do what God ordered him to do. Abraham decided to obey what Allah wanted and prepared to slaughter his son. In the time, where Abraham was preparing to slaughter his son, Satan tried to misguide him and his family so that they step back from the command and disobey Allah. Abraham threw pebbles on him to drive him away. Therefore, stones are thrown on the Jamraat during the rituals of Hajj. The second Abraham was going to slaughter his son, God ordered him not to. He honoured both, Ishmael and Abraham, by asking him to sacrifice a lamb from heaven instead. Eid al-Adha is also celebrated to remember the devotion of Abraham towards Allah and of the survival of Ishmael during that.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated with family and friends. Though different traditions are observed all around the world, meat is considered a must to be cooked on the 4 days and how can sweets be missed out? A filled table needs quite some time and well, quite a stress. So make sure you're well prepared on the night before. And a small reminder to the ladies out there: the kitchen will soak off your makeup. So, first, eat lunch and then make sure to re-apply your makeup for the upcoming family-friends photoshoot.
To everyone, Eid Mubarak. Have a great time with your family. Despite maybe not being able to have a get together with all of your family, make sure to wish them. If you're angry with someone or if you're having problems, then sort them and move over it because Eid al-Adha is all about sacrificing and forgiving someone is also a big sacrifice.
So, in this lockdown let's remember that we don't just celebrate this festival for pomp and show or for the sacrifice. But celebrate it to show our devotion to Allah, to show kindness to others, and to show that rich and poor are all equal and deserve equal amounts of share in everything.
