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What
Is Eid Ul Adha?
This very
important Muslim holiday is celebrated at the end of
Hajj, which is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The
‘Festival of Sacrifice’ is followed by a ‘Feast of
Sacrifice’, which pays homage to the Prophet
Abraham’s(PBUH) unselfish act of sacrificing his son,
Ishmael, to God. In turn, God spared the boy’s life
and instead substituted a sheep. Now in remembrance,
people sacrifice a lamb, goat, or other animal, and give
the meat to family, friends, relatives, and most
importantly, the poor.
Eid-Ul-Adha is a four-day holiday and celebration. It
commences on the 10th day of Thul Hijjah and is
celebrated in a manner similar to Eid-Ul-Fitr. It starts
with a special holiday prayer, performed in congregation
in the Masjid (Mosque) or other suitable place. It is a
time of celebration, of visiting family and friends and
of thanking ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), for all the
blessings bestowed upon us. Fasting is prohibited during
these days.
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Eid Ul Adha Prayer
Allaho-Akber,
Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber.
Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah.
Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah).
The Sacrifice Prayer
Innee waj-jahtu wajhiya lilladhee fataras-samaawaati wal-arda
haneefan wa maa ana minal-mushrikeen
Inna salaatee wa nusukee wa mahyaaya wa mamaatee lillaahi
rabbil-‘aalameen • Laa shareeka lahu wa bi dhalika umirtu wa ana
aw-walul-muslimeen.
Allaahumma minka wa laka
Bismillaahi Allaahu akbar
(Verily I divert my
attention to the Lord Who has created the heavens and the earth:
(I do so) as one by nature upright, and I am not of the
idolaters. Truly my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death
are all for Allah the Lord of the Worlds He has no partner and
thus am I commanded and I am the first of those who surrender to
Him. Oh Allah! (This sacrifice is) from You and for You; In the
name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest!)
Allaahumma
taqabbalhu minnee kamaa taqabbalta min habeebika Muhammadin wa
khaleelika Ibraahima ‘alayhimas-salaatu was-salaam.
(O Allah! Accept this from me as You accepted it from Your
beloved Muhammad and Your befriended Ibrahim, peace and
blessings be upon them both.)
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