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.

The Concept of Combined Qurbani

The concept of combined Qurbani has become very popular in Mumbai as it is eco-friendly, less expensive and the meat is distributed to the poor Muslims in the hinterland

M. H. Lakdawala

Environment-friendly Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid- ever heard of that? What does Bakrid have to do with the environment? Since the last couple of years, Muslims of Mumbai are discovering the benefit of environmental-friendly Bakrid.

Due to the urban lifestyle and lack of adequate space, sacrificing the animal and disposing off the related waste is the major problem faced every year. Due to lack of proper waste disposal, an epidemic broke out in the Muslim dominated localities in Mumbai in the past. Dr Asad Mirza, a general practitioner in the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazar area in South Mumbai reveals that every year, after Bakrid, there is atleast 30 to 35 per cent rise in the cases of diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and malaria. ? The reason is not far to seek. 

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.?

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu?l-Hijjah, which Allah has preferred over all the other days of the year.

Ibn ?Abbas reported that the Prophet Muhammad said: ?There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.? The people asked, ?Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah?? He said, ?Not even jihaad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.? (Reported by al-Bukhaari,

This indicates that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadan. But the last ten nights of Ramadan are better, because they include Laylat al-Qadr (?the Night of Power?), which is better than a thousand months.

Qurbani - Sacrifice

Qurbani - Sacrifice

Sacrifice, commonly known as Qurbani, means slaughter of an animal in the name of Allah on the 10th, 11th or 12th of the Islamic month of Zil Hijjah.

Sacrifice, as practised by Holy Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is an essential religious rite in memory of the sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham. God put Abraham to a most difficult trial, the details of which are described in the Quran. ?O my Lord! Grant me (Abraham) a righteous (son)!? So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. ?Then, when the the son reached the age to work with him, he said: ?O my son I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now say what is your view!? (The son) said: ?O My father! Do as you are commanded: You will find me if God so wills, one practising patience and constancy!? So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had made him prostrate on his face (for sacrifice), We called out to him: ?O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision!? Thus indeed do we reward those who do right. ?For this was obviously a trial and We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: and We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: (37:100-109).

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.