The 9th day of Zulhijjah

The 9th day of Zulhijjah is called 'Youmul - "Arafah' (The Day of 'Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj (Haji pilgrims, plural of Haajj) assemble on the plain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al-Mukarramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj, namely, the 'Wuqoof of'Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat).

For those not performing hajj, it is mustahabb (desirable) to fast on this day according to their own calendar. It sometimes occurs that 9th Zuihijjah falls on different days in different countries according to the sighting of the moon. In such cases, Muslims of each country should observe 'Youmul 'Arafah according to the lunar dates of their own country.

For example, if 'Youmul 'Arafah' is being observed in Saudi Arabia on Friday, and in Pakistan on Saturday, Pakistani Muslims should treat Saturday as 'Youmul 'Arafah' and should fast on that day if they desire to benefit from the fast of 'Youmul'Arafah'.

Prescribed Works on Eid-ul-Azha

The following eleven things have been prescribed to be done on Ed-ul-Azha;

1. To rise early in the morning.

2. To do miswak and do bathe.

3. To be clad in one?s best garments.

4. To use perfume.

5. Not to eat anything before Eid prayer.

6. To pronounce takbir loudly while going towards eidgah.

Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

Allah is greatest Allah is greatest

La-Ilaha ill-Allah

There is no God but Allah

wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar

and Allah is greatest Allah is greatest

wa-lillah-il-hamd

and all praise is for Allah.

7. To perform two rakah Eid ul Azha, wajib prayer in the eidgah.

8. After prayers to listen to the sermon (Kutbah) is sunnah.

9. To return early after prayers by a different route and do the sacrifice (Qurbani).

10. To distribute the meat of the sacrifice among the poor, friends, relatives and neighbours and also to cook and eat the meat of sacrifice.

Slaughter Animals as Guided by Allah

Islam forbids any kind of atrocity on animals and even in sacrificing or slaughtering animals, it has given clear directives which do not harm the animal or cause pain to it.

Dr. M. Laiq Ali Khan

Zabiha is an indispensable act expected from Muslims to make the flesh of an animal eatable. This act is inherited from Prophet Ibrahim who slaughtered the animal under Islamic direction and only then he ate the meat. It is forbidden in Islam to cut any part of a living animal and eat without slaughtering the whole.

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) came to Madinah and followed this practice there. Abul Naqid Ullaisi states that when the Prophet came to Madinah, the people had the habit of cutting down the hips of living goats and the humps of living camels for eating. The Prophet said about this: ?If a piece from the living animal is cut down, then it is termed as Murdar.?

EDUL ADHA or Eid ul Adhu or Bakrid

EDUL ADHA or Eid ul Adhu or Bakrid

November 6th 2011

Edul adha or Eid ul Adhu, the Festival of Sacrifice, Sacrifice Feast, is celebrated on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. Eid ul-Adha is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar and the date on the Gregorian calendar varies every year as the Islamic calendar is a lunar calender and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar.

Edul adha is also known as Tabaski, Eyd-e Qorban, Kurban Bayrami (in Turkey), Qurbani Eid, Bakr-Id (in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), Hari Raya Haji, Hari Raya (in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines).

The following are the dates for the coming years as per the Gregorian calendar. Like other Islamic holidays it may fall on one of two different Gregorian dates in different parts of the world, due to the fact that the boundary of crescent visibility is different from the International date line.

BAKRID | Id-ul-Zuha inKerala

This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India is celebrated all over the country. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hagg, the last month of the lunar year.

On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God.

According to Islamic belief, to test Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.

In Kerala as in other parts of the world, this day dawns with the resounding of Thakbir (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that God is great. Every Muslim house wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity. Men, women and children, dress themselves in their best attire and reciting the Thakbir, proceed to the Id-Gah which is the wide open space set apart for public prayers.

The whole atmosphere is filled with the resonance of "Allahu-Akbar". The Assembly then prepares for the congregational prayer led by the Imam. After the ceremonial Id prayer, the leader addresses the devotees, exhorting them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Abraham.

BAKRID | Id-ul-Zuha inKerala

This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India is celebrated all over the country. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hagg, the last month of the lunar year.

On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God.

According to Islamic belief, to test Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.

In Kerala as in other parts of the world, this day dawns with the resounding of Thakbir (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that God is great. Every Muslim house wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity. Men, women and children, dress themselves in their best attire and reciting the Thakbir, proceed to the Id-Gah which is the wide open space set apart for public prayers.

The whole atmosphere is filled with the resonance of "Allahu-Akbar". The Assembly then prepares for the congregational prayer led by the Imam. After the ceremonial Id prayer, the leader addresses the devotees, exhorting them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Abraham.

Eid-al-Adha/Bakrid

Eid-al-Adha is one of the important festivals of the Muslims. It means, the 'Festival of Sacrifice', remembering Ibrahim's spirit of sacrifice, conforming to the command of Allah. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month, Dhu a-Hijjah. It occurs after the Hajj pilgrimage, which, is the fifth pillar of Islam, undertaken by the Muslims.

History

To take a peep into history, will reveal the truth as to why Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha/Bakrid.

The history of Eid-al-Adha/Bakrid dates back to the times of Ibrahim. Ibrahim was commanded by God, through recurring dreams, to sacrifice his only son, begotten after rigorous worship.

Ismail, son of Ibrahim was just, 13 years old when, Ibrahim revealed to him about God's command. To his surprise, the boy readily agreed to be sacrificed. Just when, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice the boy, Allah voiced that he need not have to carry out His order, as he had passed the test of devotion. He was further instructed to sacrifice a lamb instead of his only son.

Ibrahim, by the Grace of Allah was blessed with another son, Is-haaq (Isaac)

The history of Hajj pilgrimage revolves around the surrender of Ibrahim and his family to Allah.