A Brief Guide to Eid-ul-Adha

Also known as the Greater Eid, Eid-ul-Adha is amongst some of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. The festival aims to encourage Muslims to both remember and commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in the name of Allah SWT; raising awareness of the importance of the occasion today.

Due to this, the festival of Eid-ul-Adha also encompasses Qurbani, an important date where modern-day Muslims perform an animal sacrifice as a reminder of Ibrahim’s obedience and devotion.

Although Qurbani and Eid are celebrated differently in varying countries across the world, there are a number of things which remain constant throughout.

Eid-ul-Adha

As a general rule, the festivities are usually begun with a visit to the Mosque for prayers. Many attendees will dress in their best clothes as a mark of respect for the occasion, taking the opportunity to give thanks for the blessings they have received throughout their lives.

It is also common to take some time out to pay a visit to family and close friends, offering gifts to loved ones and spending some quality time with the people who matter the most. In addition, it is also good practice for those in an affordable financial position to donate money to charity. This money can then be used to assist people who are in need, as well as providing the means to purchase food and items like clothing to enable those less fortunate to join in with the Eid celebrations.

Hajj

The fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is a vitally important part of the faith. Hajj is the act of undertaking the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, something which every Muslim who is financially and physically able should endeavour to complete at least once in their lifetime.

The time to travel and complete the pilgrimage is just before the festivities of Eid-ul-Adha  – and the pilgrimage is performed over the course of 5 days. To show the equality of everyone in the eyes of Allah SWT, the Hajjis (pilgrims) wear plain white clothing throughout the duration of their visit. During this time, they will not only show their devotion to their faith, but this faith will also be refreshed and renewed with a new sense of purpose and belonging.

Qurbani

In accordance with the tale of the Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, Qurbani is an occasion during Eid-ul-Adha where Muslims across the world will sacrifice animals and livestock. In keeping with the tradition, this long-established act will show their devotion and obedience both to their faith and to Allah, ensuring a selfless approach to the festivities is maintained.

Practicing Qurbani

There are a number of rules and regulations surrounding the act of Qurbani which have been set out to protect the animal’s welfare as well as to ensure the sacrifice complies with religious dues.

Once the sacrifice has been carried out, the meat must be distributed evenly in three portions – one to the individual, one to their family, close friends or community, and one to the poor. This enables those in a position to be able to donate Qurbani to ensure that they can share the results of their own good fortune with those who aren’t in such a good position. This way, everyone can enjoy Eid together.

For further information about donating your Qurbani to charity and to ensure that your generosity reaches the people who need it most, discover more here: https://www.hrf.org.uk/qurbani/

Across the World

In many Muslim countries, Eid-ul-Adha is a public holiday. However, even for Muslims across the world, the occasion is still of great significance. Despite the variations in methods of celebration, there are a great number of ways in which people across the world show their obedience and devotion to their faith.

On this most auspicious of occasions, it is important to get back in touch with your religion and reignite your faith. Together, Qurbani and Eid-ul-Adha are the perfect opportunities to show your love and devotion for Allah – make sure that you are ready to make the most of the festival this year.