Why Do Muslims Celebrate Eid al Adha?

Eid al Adha is an important religious quintessential celebration that involves “sharing in the sacrifice”; the celebrations for the Muslim calendar are among the busiest, attended most enthusiastically all around the world. But, why do Muslims celebrate Eid al Adha

This occasion is on the tenth day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, that is, Dhu al-Hijjah; Aka the Holy Eid, the day Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was about to offer his only son Ismail (Ishmael) as a sacrifice unto Allah. Indeed, it is one of the five fundamental tenets of Islam.

On the day of the celebration, enormous numbers of Muslims will walk to their nearest mosque, musalla, or open field to conduct a special Eid prayer, meant to signal the start of their festivities- animal sacrifice and charitable donations. But there is much more to it, so you would tell me to continue reading.

Why Do Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha?

Muslims everywhere around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, or “Festival of Sacrifice.” Within this Muslim religious festival lies the culmination of an ultimate sacrifice, ultimate surrender to Allah (God).

To appreciate the festival’s enormity and fervor, it is necessary to examine its history and religious practice, as well as observance within the Islamic world.

Historical Background and Religious Significance of Eid

The Eid al-Adha story begins with Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), the father of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, who is the father who had adopted the monotheistic faith. Prophet Ibrahim was tried for his faithfulness, Islamic theology holds, when Allah instructed him to offer his sole son as a sacrifice.

The obedience of Prophet Ibrahim in sacrificing his son Ismail (Ishmael) was testing him to be in total obedience and total submission to the will of Allah. Before undertaking the monumental task, Allah commanded a miraculous act.

When Prophet Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his only son, Gabriel, the angel of Allah, came with a ram from Allah as a replacement of his son to be sacrificed in place of Ismail, after saving the life of Ismail. This lovely incident is a perfect example of perfect obedience and loyalty.

Eid al-Adha celebrates this incident in memory of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience and God’s mercy. The Quran narrates this incident: “O Allah, we have submitted to Your will.”

Timing in the Islamic Calendar

Eid al-Adha is on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic lunar calendar itself has a duration of 12 months and is based on the cycles of the moon rather than the solar calendar, and therefore Eid al-Adha is 11 days earlier each year if interpreted as a landmark date from the Gregorian calendar.

This major Muslim festival comes after the Hajj is over, Islam’s fifth pillar, which is a single pilgrimage to Mecca each year. While millions of individuals travel to make this pilgrimage, Muslim pilgrims who are unable to make this pilgrimage observe Eid al-Adha to mark the pilgrims assemble on Mount Arafat to undertake Hajj.

The Difference between Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr

Just as it is worth taking note that two great Eid festivals are celebrated by Islam, Eid al-Adha is the festival that celebrates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, while Eid al-Fitr is the festival that signals the completion of Ramadan, or the fasting month.

Eid al-Adha is also called Greater Eid or Big Eid, for it is the sacrificial festival following Hajj, while Eid al-Fitr is sometimes called Lesser Eid; celebrating both means much within the Islamic community.

How Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha?

How muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha depends on different traditions and families, but some basics common to all of them. And here they are;

Eid Prayer Service

Muslims greet the dawn by attending special prayers, or Eid prayers, at the prayer ground or the local mosque. It is followed by a sermon in congregational prayers, but generally, it is a teaching on the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and how such would relate to Muslim life today. 

New attire is the order of the day for most Muslims to attend such services as an expression of respect for the day.

The Sacrifice Ritual

Being a believer in Prophet Ibrahim, affluent individuals offer Qurbani (offering of sacrifice) by offering an animal as sacrifice, usually a camel, cow, sheep, or goat, as prescribed under the Islamic faith. 

Offering the animal indicates Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to offer what was dearest to him to Allah. It was performed in the Muslim community by the Prophet Muhammad for societal welfare. The meat of the sacrificed animal is therefore customarily distributed as:

• One-third to relatives
• One-third to neighbors and friends
• One-third of the poor

This distribution is an exhibition of Islam’s generosity where everyone regardless of their economic status is able to share meat and celebrate the holy Eid with one another.

Family Gatherings and Collective Bonds

Family and friends are invited by Muslims, and collective bonds are re-established through the shared activity. Houses are tidied up and decorated, and traditional dishes are prepared with cuisine also differing according to different Muslim nations and communities.

Gifts and Greetings

It is where Muslims wish each other “Eid Mubarak” (Festive Eid) greetings. Gift-giving is also being done by the majority of the families to each other, particularly children, in an effort to put smiles on their faces and create life memories on this sacred day of such great significance.

Charitable Activities

Charity is the alternative to Eid festivities. Muslim Aid and others organize special charity campaigns during the period, highlighting Islam’s focus on the poor and needy and mercy. Voluntary charitable contribution is provided by the majority of Muslims, except compulsory contribution of sacrificed meat.

Spiritual Moralities of Eid al-Adha

There are stern spiritual moralities for Eid al-Adha Muslims:

• Surrender to Allah: Ibrahim’s readiness to offer his son on the altar is the complete surrender to Allah, and it teaches Muslims how to surrender to Allah’s will rather than their will.
• Blind Faith and Trust: The story is an example of blind trust in Allah’s wisdom even when God’s decision cannot be understood.
• Sacrifice and Generosity: Giving the worth and giving it to other human beings, Muslims are called to renounce the world and become generous.
• Unity and Society: Eid brings Muslims from across the globe together in a common, equal celebration, seeking to elevate the ummah (worldwide Muslim community) which the Prophet Muhammad had developed. 

How Do Muslims Perform Eid Al-Adha Prayer?

Eid prayer or Salat al-Eid is one of the most important practices of Eid al-Adha celebrations and varies from the common day-to-day prayer on a big number of basic characteristics. The Eid congregational prayer gathers the Muslims to consecrate the blessed Eid al-Adha day in congregational worship.

Timing of the Eid Prayer

Eid al-Adha prayer is conducted during the morning of Eid, i.e., the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah of the Islamic calendar. Islamic tradition:

Time of prayer would be about an hour or two of sunrise, and then up to some time before noon prayer (Dhuhr).

• Early morning, i.e., 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM in most communities
• The specific time will be different in the case of a place and a community

Preparation for Eid Prayer

Before heading towards the prayer session, Muslims generally:

• Do Wudu: Wash or bathe fully as part of a cleansing ritual.
• Dress New or Cleanly: Most Muslims dress in new or clean clothes as an expression of respect for the ceremony..
• Use Perfume: Lovely perfume for males is best (with females excluded from using it).
• Perform Takbir: Muslims recite the Takbir (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd) on their way to the prayer ground in gratitude to Allah.

Location of the Mosque/Prayer Ground

Though common daily prayers typically are held in small mosque prayer halls, Eid prayers typically require larger areas because there simply are too many.

• Open broad open space or fields (or known as Eid Gah or Musalla)
• Central prayer rooms of main or large mosques
• Convention centers or gyms in some countries of the West
• The local mosque, if other, more spacious areas could not be made available

Structure of Eid Prayer

Eid prayer differs from the regular prayers of everyday life in form and process:

• Intention (Niyyah)
• No Adhan or Iqamah

First Rak’ah:

• Begin with the opening takbir (Takbiratul Ihram)
• Reciting additional takbirs (typically seven, differing by school of thought)
• Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha (the first surah of the Quran)
• Reciting a second surah or verses (typically Surah Al-A’la)
• Complete the rak’ah in the usual manner with bowing (ruku) and prostration (sujud)

Second Rak’ah:

• Begin the second rak’ah in the usual manner
• Reciting additional takbirs (ordinarily five, before recitation)
• Reading Al-Fatihah Surah
• Reading a single additional verse (usually Surah Al-Ghashiyah)
• Proceed with the prayer in the regular way ,with the last sitting (tashahhud) and last farewell salutations

The Khutbah (Sermon)

Following prayer, the Eid sermon (khutbah) is recited by the imam:

• In contrast to that of Friday, the Eid sermon is recited after prayer and not prior
• The sermon will most likely mention Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, how it relates, and Islamic moral values
• The imam could also discuss some of the problems of the day in society, emphasize charity, and remind the faithful about the proper manner of conducting the animal sacrifice

Special Eid Al-Adha Prayer Features

• Only during Eid al-Adha, the sermon will most likely:
• Read the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail
• Clarify Islamic laws of Qurbani (animal sacrifice)
• Emphasize sharing the meat with household members and friends, and with poor individuals
• Connect religious values of sacrifice to everyday life

Post Prayer

Straight after Eid prayer and sermon:

• Muslims exchange “Eid Mubarak” (Festival Eid) with each other
• The families would then return home and get ready to perform or perform the animal sacrifice
• Hajj performers will be conducting other rituals in Mount Arafat and other holy sites

Conclusion

Eid al-Adha is an eloquent affirmation of the necessary values of Islam: surrender of oneself to God, faith, renunciation, and brotherhood. From the prayer in the mosque together to the sacrifice of an animal on behalf of the poor, from the new clothes to the meal at home with friends and kin, all the ritual of the holiday testifies to these necessary values.

As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid, they are not only celebrating as part of their modern world community but with a history dating back to the Prophet Ibrahim to celebrate one of the most magnificent acts of submission to one God throughout human history.

It is through these celebrations that the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim’s piety reigns supreme in guiding and teaching Muslims by their righteous conduct, reminding them of the symbolic nature of the festival of sacrifice.