Observed by
Type Significance Starting Date Ends On 2021 date Celebrations/Observances |
Muslims around the world
Islamic Commemoration of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his eldest son Ishmael in obedience to a command from ALLAH and Ishmael's acceptance of this command 10 Dhu Al-Hijjah 12 Dhu Al-Hijjah 19th July, 2021 (Expected) Prayer, sacrificing a cow, goat, sheep, or a camel, giving meat to poor people |
Eid Al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismael) as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram by God's command.
Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. In traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter. The meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends or neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.
The 3 days and 2 nights of Eid al-Adha are celebrated annually on the 10th, 11th and 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the lunar Islamic calendar. In the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. In traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter. The meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends or neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.
The 3 days and 2 nights of Eid al-Adha are celebrated annually on the 10th, 11th and 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the lunar Islamic calendar. In the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Other Names
Name of EventEid-ul-Adha (عيد الأضحى)
Eid Al-Adha Eyde Ghorban (عید قربان) Id-ul-Adha Kurban Bayramı Baqra Id (بقرعید) Kurbaneyy Akhtar 古尔邦节 (Gúěrbāng Jié) Курбан-байрам Bakray wari Eid Id ul-Kabir (عيد الكبير) Aïd el-Kebir Baed Eid Kurbani Eid |
|
Brief Background of Event
When Ishmael (Peace On Him) was about 13 (Ibrahim being 99), ALLAH (God) decided to test their faith in public. Abraham had a recurring dream, in which God was commanding him to offer his son as a sacrifice an unimaginable act sacrificing his son, which God had granted him. Abraham (Peace On Him) knew that the dreams of the prophets were divinely inspired, and one of the ways in which God communicated with his prophets. When the intent of the dreams became clear to him, Abraham (Peace On Him) decided to fulfill God's command and offer Ishmael (Peace On Him) for sacrifice.
Although Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearest for ALLAH's sake, he could not just go and drag his son to the place of sacrifice without his consent. Isma'el (Peace On Him) had to be consulted as to whether he was willing to give up his life as fulfillment to God's command. This consultation would be a major test of Ismael's (Peace On Him) maturity in faith, love and commitment for ALLAH, willingness to obey his father and sacrifice his own life for the sake of ALLAH.
Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him (Peace On Him). Ishmael (Peace On Him) did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment.
He said, "Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Inshaallah (God willing), to be very patient."
His mature response, his deep insight into the nature of father’s dreams, his commitment to ALLAH, and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of ALLAH were all unprecedented.
When both father and son had shown their perfect obedience to ALLAH and they had practically demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for His sake Abraham(Peace On Him) by laying down his son for sacrifice and Ishmael by lying patiently under the knife ALLAH called out to them stating that his sincere intentions had been accepted, and that he need not carry out the killing of Ishmael. Instead, Abraham was told to replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead. ALLAH also told them that they had passed the test imposed upon them by his willingness to carry out God's command.
Although Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearest for ALLAH's sake, he could not just go and drag his son to the place of sacrifice without his consent. Isma'el (Peace On Him) had to be consulted as to whether he was willing to give up his life as fulfillment to God's command. This consultation would be a major test of Ismael's (Peace On Him) maturity in faith, love and commitment for ALLAH, willingness to obey his father and sacrifice his own life for the sake of ALLAH.
Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him (Peace On Him). Ishmael (Peace On Him) did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment.
He said, "Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Inshaallah (God willing), to be very patient."
His mature response, his deep insight into the nature of father’s dreams, his commitment to ALLAH, and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of ALLAH were all unprecedented.
When both father and son had shown their perfect obedience to ALLAH and they had practically demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for His sake Abraham(Peace On Him) by laying down his son for sacrifice and Ishmael by lying patiently under the knife ALLAH called out to them stating that his sincere intentions had been accepted, and that he need not carry out the killing of Ishmael. Instead, Abraham was told to replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead. ALLAH also told them that they had passed the test imposed upon them by his willingness to carry out God's command.
In View Of Quran And Hadith
In View Of Quran
In Sura Al-Haj, Ayat No 37 ALLAH Said
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّـهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
اللہ کو ہرگز نہ ان کے گوشت پہنچتے ہیں نہ ان کے خون ہاں تمہاری پرہیزگاری اس تک باریاب ہوتی ہے یونہی ان کو تمہارے پس میں کردیا کہ تم اللہ کی بڑائی بولو اس پر کہ تم کو ہدایت فرمائی، اور اے محبوب! خوشخبری سناؤ نیکی والوں کو
Never does their flesh nor their blood reach ALLAH, but your piety successfully reaches Him; this is how We have given them in your control so that you may speak His Greatness for guiding you; and O dear Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) give glad tidings to the virtuous.
In Sura Al-Kawthar, Ayat No 2 ALLAH Said
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
تو تم اپنے رب کے لیے نماز پڑھو اور قربانی کرو
So offer the prayers for your Lord, and perform the sacrifice.
In View Of Hadith
Significance of Sacrifice on "Eid al-Adha"
Narrated Aishah (May ALLAH Bless With Her) that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to ALLAH than shedding blood. It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns and cloven hoofs and hair. Its blood is accepted by ALLAH before it reaches the ground. So be content when you do it.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith Number 3126)
It was narrated that Zaid bin Arqam said:
“The Companions of the Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) said: ‘O Messenger of ALLAH, what are these sacrifices?’ He said: ‘The Sunnah of your father Ibrahim.’ They said: ‘What is there for us in them, O Messenger of ALLAH?’ He said: ‘For every hair, one merit.’ They said: ‘What about wool, O Messenger of ALLAH?’ He said: ‘For every hair of wool, one merit.’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith Number 3127)
Day of Happiness
Narrated Anas ibn Malik (May ALLAH Bless With Him)
When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (What is the significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves on them in the pre-Islamic period. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: ALLAH has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 3, Hadith Number 1130)
Prophet sacrifices for those who cannot sacrifices
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah (May ALLAH Bless With Him):
I witnessed sacrificing along with the Messenger of ALLAH (ﷺ) at the place of prayer. When he finished his sermon, he descended from his pulpit, and a ram was brought to him. The Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) slaughtered it with his hand, and said: In the name of ALLAH, ALLAH, is Most Great. This is from me and from those who did not sacrifice from my community.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith Number 2810)
Women join men on the day of Eid to pray together and seek its blessings
Umm Atiyya (ALLAH Bless With Her) reported,
"We were ordered to come out on the day of celebration, even the young girls and menstruating women from their houses, so that we would stand behind the men and declare the greatness of ALLAH along with them and supplicate to ALLAH along with them, hoping for the blessings of that day and its purification from sin".
(Sahih Bukhari, Book 15, Number 88)
First perform prayer and then offer sacrifices
Narrated Al-Bara (May ALLAH Bless With Him):
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said (on the day of Idal-Adha), "The first thing we will do on this day of ours, is to offer the (`Id) prayer and then return to slaughter the sacrifice. Whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (tradition), and whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) before the prayer, what he offered was just meat he presented to his family, and that will not be considered as Nusak (sacrifice)." (On hearing that) Abu Burda bin Niyar got up, for he had slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, and said, "I have got a six month old ram." The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, 'Slaughter it (as a sacrifice) but it will not be sufficient for any-one else (as a sacrifice after you). Al-Bara' added: The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "Whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims."
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 5545)
Narrated Jundab bin Sufyan Al-Bajali (May ALLAH Bless With Him):
I witnessed the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) on the Day of Nahr. He said, "Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before offering the `Id prayer, should slaughter another sacrifice in its place; and whoever has not slaughtered their sacrifice yet, should slaughter now."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 5562)
The Prophet has forbidden Muslims from fasting on the day of the two Eids
Abu Ubaid (ALLAH Bless With Him) the freed slave of Ibn Azhar, reported that he witness the Day of Eid Al-Adha with Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (ALLAH Bless With Him).
Umar performed the Eid prayer before the sermon and then delivered the sermon in front of the people, saying, “O people, the Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) has forbidden you to fast on each of these two celebrations, for one of them is the day of breaking your fast and the other one is the day on which you offer your sacrifices.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Book 68, Number 478)
Not to cut hair or nails
Narrated Umm Salamah (May ALLAH Bless With Her)
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: If anyone has sacrificial animal and intends to sacrifice it, and he sights the new moon of Dhul-Hajjah, he must not take any of his hair and nails until he sacrifices.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith Number 2791)
When Qurbani Must Made In Days Of Eid?
Qurbani or Sacrifice is carried out from the 10th of Zil Hijjah (From the day of Eid-ul-Adha) after the completion of the Eid Salaah and Khutba, till sunset on the 12th of Zil- Hijjah. The times of preference for Qurbani are the first day, i.e. the 10th of Zil-Hijjah from the completion of the Eid Salaah, followed by the second day and lastly the third day.
Who Should Made Qurbani?
Qurbani is a Waajib obligation for Muslims every year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. It is not a once in a life-time duty. It is Waajib only for each Muslim male and female to make Qurbani for himself or herself; and not Waajib for him or her to make Qurbani for any other member of his or her family. It is only his or her duty to guide or instruct them to make Qurbani if they meet with the conditions of item which are given blow. It is Waajib for every Muslim male and Muslim female who
- Has attained puberty (Baaligh)
- Is of sound mind (not insane)
- Possesses Nisaab, 52 ½ tolas (620 grammes) of silver or 7 ½ tolas (88 grammes) of gold; or they have the same amount equivalent to either of the above item in value in business goods or non-business goods, which are not goods that are the basic necessities of life on the time of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). The wealth and/or property should be extra/above one’s basic necessities (Hajat-e-Asliyyah).
- To make sacrifice in the Name of ALLAH
A Person On Which Qurbani Is Not Wajib
- One who has not attained puberty (Not Baaligh) even if he or she possesses Nisaab
- A traveller (Who is not yet Muqeem)
- One who does not possess Nisaab during that specific period in time
- On who may be in possession of Nisaab bit has turned insane
- Qurbani cannot be undertaken on behalf of another person upon who Qurbani is Waajib, without his or her prior consent.
Note
Any Muslim male or female who is not liable for Qurbani but purchases an animal for Qurbani for the sake of Almighty ALLAH, then the Qurbani becomes Waajib for him.
What Kind Of Animal Can Be Sacrifice?
Only the following animals (Male And Female) may be sacrificed for Qurbani
Note
Each goat or sheep suffices for Qurbani for one Muslim male or female; whereas each head of cattle or camel could represent the Qurbani for seven Muslim males and females. It is permissible for less than seven people to have shares in a camel or a head of cattle for Qurbani; but not permissible for more than 7 people to do so.
- Goats and sheep that must be at least one year old. Even if they are 6 month old, they must be fat and healthy.
- Cattle, buffalo or bull must be at least 2 years old.
- Camels with a minimum of 5 years.
Note
Each goat or sheep suffices for Qurbani for one Muslim male or female; whereas each head of cattle or camel could represent the Qurbani for seven Muslim males and females. It is permissible for less than seven people to have shares in a camel or a head of cattle for Qurbani; but not permissible for more than 7 people to do so.
What Kind Of Animal Is Forbade To Sacrifice?
The animals for Qurbani in the Name of Almighty ALLAH shall be in prime condition of health and free from defects. The following defects in animals disqualifies them from being used for Qurbani
- Animals without ears or more than one third of the ear is defective
- Blindness, even in one eye.
- Horns broken from the roots.
- Aged animals.
- Lameness which does not allow the animal to stand on its 4 feet.
- Animals with a third or more or their tail cut off.
- Sick and emaciated animals that lack the ability to move or walk.
- So thin that the bones are visible.
Important Point Of Slaughter "Or" Dhabihah
- Slaughter the animal with a very sharp knife.
- Do not slaughter an animal in front of another animal.
- Four veins should be cleanly cut - the throat, windpipe and the 2 jugular veins. Even if 3 are cut the meat of the animal would still be considered Halaal.
- It is Makrooh to cause pain and suffering to the animal unnecessarily.
- The animal should be placed on its side on the ground with its head towards the Qiblah.
- It is better that the person who is making Qurbaani should slaughter the animal. However, if this is not possible, then he or she should at least stand near the sacrifice.
- Before slaughtering, read the prescribed Dua. The person should then slaughter the animal by reading the prescribed Dua.
Things Which Are Not Permissible To Eat In Halaal Animal
There are 22 things which are not permissible (To eat) from a sheep, a cow, or any other animal slaughtered:
- Guts.
- Intestines.
- Bladder.
- Testicles.
- Penis (The sign of a masculine).
- Vagina (The sign of a feminine).
- Anus.
- Blood in the arteries/veins.
- The blood that is in the meat, that is left even after the animal has been sacrificed.
- The blood of the heart.
- Blood of the liver.
- Blood of the spleen.
- Gall bladder.
- The bile (yellow substance) that is excreted from the gall bladder.
- The gland.
- Spinal Marrow (Nukha).
- The two muscles/tendons of the neck which stretch till the shoulders.
- The moisture that is in the nose.
- Semen and sperm, whether the sperm of the male is found in the female (animal), or whether it is the animals own sperm/semen.
- That blood which is created in the womb by semen.
- That flesh which has formed in the womb by seminal fluid, whether the flesh has developed a body (with its parts) or not.
- That animal which has been fully developed in the womb, but which came out (of the womb) dead, or died without slaughter.
The Sunnah of Eid-ul-Adha
- Wake up early.
- Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.
- Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
- Brush your teeth.
- Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
- Use perfume (men only).
- Eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
- Go to prayer ground early.
- Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
- Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.
- From the Fajr of the 9th Dhil-Hajj to the Asr of the 13th Dhil-Hajj it is Wajib to recite the following Takbeer once, and commendable to recite it three times immediately after every Fard Namaaz loudly for men and quietly for women. And on the way, home to Mosque for Salaat-al-Eid and vice versa, the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid and after Salaat-al-Eid.
Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ilaha illa-lah wallahu-Akbar. Allahu-Akbar wa-lillahil-hamd
"ALLAH is most great. ALLAH is most great. There is no one else worth Worshipping except for ALLAH and ALLAH is most great. ALLAH is most Great and all the praise is for ALLAH."
If you have any confusion regarding this article than please consult your nearest imam mosque