Muslims all over the world celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha or the Bakrid festival on the 10th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah which is the last month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
It is one of the two festivals duly approved by Islam. The other one is Eid-ul-Fitr that is celebrated in the month of Ramadan.
On this day, Muslims pray in congregations and seek the blessings of Allah Almighty. They celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with various feasts and festivities.
Though the Eid festivities this year, have been marred by incessant lockdowns due to the corona pandemic and government regulations regarding sacrifice in public, the zeal and enthusiasm to honor the divine sanctions and Prophetic traditions remain lit-up nonetheless.
Many people also undertake the annual Haj pilgrimage during this time as it is sanctioned in Islam.
The story behind Eid-ul-Adha
The history of Eid-ul-Adha goes back to Prophet Abraham (as). He was so devoted to Allah that he was ready to sacrifice everything in his way. One day, he dreamt of sacrificing his most beloved son Ismail (as) in the name of Allah.
When he saw the same dream several times, he disclosed it to Ismail who encouraged him to do whatever he had been commanded by Allah Almighty.
The Prophet then took Ismail on a mountain after lying to Bibi Hajara (wife of the Prophet and mother of Ismail) about the real purpose. One the way, Satan tried to dissuade him as well as Ismail (as).
However, they both overcame the satanic whisperings by throwing pebbles and finally reached the place of sacrifice. However, the moment Abraham (as) was about to press the knife on Ismael’s neck, a lamb appeared in front of him.
He subsequently had a vision informing him that he had passed in the trial of faith. He was now commanded to slaughter that lamb instead of his son Ismael. Holy Quran has also described this event succinctly-
“He (Abraham) said, ‘I will go to my Lord: He is sure to guide me. Lord, grant me a righteous son.’ We gave him the good news that he would have a patient, forbearing son. And when he reached the age when he could work with him, he said, ‘O my son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. So tell me what you think of it!’ He replied, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded; and God willing, you will find me steadfast.’ When they had both submitted to God, and he had laid his son down on his face, We called out to him, ‘Abraham, you have fulfilled the dream.’ It is thus indeed that We reward those who do good that surely was a manifest trial. We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and left him thus to be succeeded by a group [of followers] among later generations: ‘Peace and salutation to Abraham!’ That is how We recompense the righteous: truly, he was one of Our faithful servants. We gave Abraham the good news of Isaac a prophet and a righteous man and blessed him and Isaac too: some of their offspring were good, but some clearly sinned against their souls. [Al-Quran 37:99-113]
To honor this willingness of Prophet Abraham (as) to sacrifice even his son for the sake of Allah, Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha every year. Those who can afford, also sacrifice a lamb or some other animal in a ritualistic manner and distribute 2/3rd part of the meat to relatives, poor and needy.
Jewish and Christian traditions too, accept Abraham (as) as a Prophet and also record the incident of his sacrifice. However, they don’t celebrate Eid-ul-Adha as Muslims do because they don’t accept the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) or divinity of the Holy Quran.
Some rules regarding Eid-ul-Adha sacrifice
Rules of Eid-ul-Adha or Qurbani are derived from the relevant verses of the Holy Quran and Sahih Hadiths. Some of the broad instructions include-
The person must be eligible to offer sacrifice
Eligibility requirements include the faith, age, intention, and financial capabilities of the person who wants to undertake this exercise.
The person should be a Muslim and he should intend the sacrifice for Allah only. It is sunnah to say Bismillahi or Allahu Akbar at the time of slaughtering.
“Abu Tufail reported: We said to ‘Ali b. Abi Talib: Inform us about something which Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) told you in secret, whereupon he said: He told me nothing in secret which he bid from people, but I heard him say: Allah cursed him who sacrificed for anyone besides Allah; and cursed him who accommodated an innovator; and Allah cursed him who cursed his parents and Allah cursed him who changed the boundary lines (of the land possessed by him). [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, Number 4876]
Also, the person intending the sacrifice should not cut/trim his hair and nails after the beginning of the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah till he has sacrificed the animal.
“Umm Salama reported (these words) directly from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him): If anyone has in his possession a sacrificial animal to offer as a sacrifice (on ‘Id al-Adha), he should not get his hair cut and nails trimmed after he has entered the first days of Dhu’l Hijjah. [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, Number 4871]
Moreover, the person intending the sacrifice should be financially capable. As far as the threshold of economic determinator is concerned, scholars generally agree that the person should possess at least 52.5 tolas of silver or its equivalent.
The animal should be Halal and approved by Sharia
It is obvious that if the animal is not halal for eating, it can not be halal for the sacrifice. One may refer to the relevant verses of the Holy Quran, Sahih Hadiths, and the opinion of learned scholars to know more about the halal requirements for eating or slaughtering.
“Say [O Prophet], ‘In all that has been revealed to me, I do not find a ban on anything to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood and pork, all these being unclean or profane, on which the name of someone other than God has been invoked.’ But if anyone is forced by necessity, being neither disobedient nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is most forgiving and merciful. [Al-Quran 6:145]
Generally, carnivorous animals are haram (prohibited) for eating. Moreover, the sacrificial animal should not have been stolen, illegally procured, or forcefully snatched from the rightful owner.
Further, the animal should have reached the proper age. Ordinarily, the proper age for a goat or lamb is one year; for cows, it is two years; and for camels, it is five years.
“Jabir reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Sacrifice only a grown-up animal, unless it is difficult for you, in which case sacrifice a ram (of even less than a year, but more than six months’ age). [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, Number 4836]
“Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: (The sacrifice of Fara’ and ‘Atira) has no (sanction in Islam). Ibn Rafi’ made this addition in his narration that Fara’ means the firstborn young one of a camel. [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, Number 4868]
The sacrifice should take place only after the Eid Prayers
A sacrifice before the congregational Eid prayer is not accepted.
“Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “Whoever slaughtered (his sacrifice) before the ‘Id prayer, should slaughter again.” [Sahih-al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 15, Number 74]
“Narrated Al-Bara’: I heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h) delivering a Khutba saying, “The first thing to be done on this day (first day of ‘Id ul Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions).” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 71]
Also, it is not necessary that the sacrifice should happen on the day of Eid-ul-Adha only. It may happen in the next two days as well i.e. on the 10th, 11th, and 12th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah. However, it is not permissible to eat the meat of the sacrificed animal beyond three days. This is probably to discourage hoarding and to encourage the distribution of meat.
“Abu Ubaid reported: I was with ‘Ali b. Abi Talib on the occasion of the ‘Id day. He started with the ‘Id prayer before delivering the sermon and said: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) forbade us to eat the flesh of our sacrificial animals beyond three days. [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, No. 4850]
A portion of the meat should be distributed to the poor
It is highly recommended to divide the slaughtered animal’s meat into three equal portions and distribute the two portions amongst the poor, neighbors, and relatives. Apportioning and distribution of meat should happen in good faith. In other words, one must not knowingly keep the good portions of the meat for himself and distribute the rest to others. In every Islamic requirement, intention is the topmost priority.
“Abdullah b. Waqid reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) forbade (people) to eat the flesh of sacrificed animals beyond three days. Abdullah b. Abu Bakr said- “I made a mention of that to ‘Amra, whereupon she said: He has told the truth, for I heard ‘A’isha say: The poor among the people of the desert come (to the towns) on the occasion of Id al-Adha during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). Upon this Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Retain with you (the flesh) sufficing for three (days), and whatever is left out of that give in charity. After this. they (the Muslims) said: Allah’s Messenger, the people make waterskins with the (hides) of their sacrificed animals and they melt fat out of them. Thereupon he said. What the then? They said: You forbade (us) to eat the flesh of sacrificial animals beyond three (days), whereupon he said: I forbade you for those (poor persons) who flocked (to the towns on this occasion for getting meat) but now when (this situation has improved) you may eat, preserve and give -in charity. [Sahih Muslim, Book 22, No. 4856]
Next, the meat of the sacrificed animal should not be sold for monetary gains nor should the butcher be paid his wages in terms of the slaughtered meat. He should be given his due wages additionally.
“Narrated ‘Ali: The Prophet ordered me to supervise the (slaughtering) of Budn (Hadi camel) and to distribute their meat, skins and covering sheets in charity and not to give anything (of their bodies) to the butcher as wages for slaughtering. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 26, Number 775]
“The Prophet (s) said: “Whoever sells the skin of his udhiyah (sacrificed animal), there is no udhiyah for him (i.e., it is not counted as udhiyah).” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6118)
To know more about the rules pertaining to sacrifice, you may go over here and here.
Some other interesting facts regarding Eid-ul-Adha
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to eat dates before proceeding for the Eid prayers (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 73)
Generally, the sermon precedes the congregational prayer, but in the case of two Eids, the Prophet (s) delivered the Khutba (sermon) after the two-Rakat prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 77)
Good deeds done on the first 10 days of Dhu-al-Hijjah are better than good deeds done on any other day. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 86)
I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Eid al-Adha. May Allah guide you towards righteousness, accept your good deeds, forgive your transgressions and sins, and ease the suffering of all peoples around the globe. May the Almighty guide us all towards righteousness.