Eid means joy, Eid means happiness. Eid al-Adha is one of the two largest festivals of our Muslim community. For every Muslim, the sacrifice is an important worship and the sacrifice on every able-bodied person is wajib.
What is Eid al-Adha?
In the Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims, the word “Korban” is used instead of a sacrifice. The literal meaning of ‘Qurbani’ is basically ‘sacrifice’. Instead of the sacrifice in the Hadith, the words ‘Uzhiah’ and ‘Zahia’ are used and that is why the Eid of Sacrifice is called “Eid al-Aza”.
Basically, due to the proximity of Allah through sacrifice, every year on the 10th of the month of Zilhajj, all the Muslim ummahs of the world on whom the sacrifice has been made, as a sign of sacrifice, celebrate the festival of Sacrifice/Eid al-Adha through the slaughter of animals. It can be said that eid al-adha is the festival that the Muslim nation meets in the hope of getting close to Almighty Allah through sacrifice.
History of Eid al-Adha and Sacrifice:
The history of sacrifice is a history of very ancient humanism. The sacrifice began in the age of Adam (a.s.). Later it was resumed with special features focused on a historical event of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.).
Once upon a time there was a disagreement between Haabil and Kaabil, the son of Adam, about the marriage, and Allah ordered them to sacrifice halal animals with their class. He said , ” Whoever of you accepts the sacrifice to me , to him will be given marriage . ” Haabil and Kaabil received the command from Allah and sacrificed.
The sacrifice of Haabil is accepted by Allah, but it is not kaabil’s. Not accepting Kaabil’s sacrifice, he became angry and wanted to kill Haabil.
Allah almighty said: “O Prophet, thou shalt properly discuss unto them the victory of the son of Adam, when they presented the sacrifice to the Great Lord, one was not accepted by the other. The one whose sacrifice was not accepted, he got angry and said to the other man, ‘I will kill you and kill you.’ The Lord accepts the sacrifice of the righteous alone. (Surah Mayida: 27)
Importance of Eid al-Adha:
The importance and significance of Eid al-Adha for every Muslim is immense. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever does not
sacrifice in spite of his ability, let him not come near our Eidgah.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) himself made sacrifices every year in Madinah and the Companions regularly made sacrifices, which is a great sign of Islam which is regarded as Ibrahim in the Sunnah. Moreover, it is proved by the Book and the Sunnah and the Ijma’i Ummat.
Significance of Eid al-Adha:
Eid al-Adha is the festival commemorating the sacrifice of Ibrahim (a.s.), Bibi Hagar and Ishmael (a.s.). In the Qur’an, Ibrahim (a.s.) is mentioned as the original father of the Muslim nation. This family is the greatest example of sacrifice for the world’s Muslims. The entire Muslim nation strives to gain the satisfaction of Allah by observing the Ibrahimi Sunnah on this holy day of Eid al-Adha.
Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather in Makkah Madinah, associated with ibrahim (a.s.) memories, on the occasion of hajj in the month of Zilhaj in Madinah. With all their might in life, they try to be ideal in the Abrahamic ideals. The festival of Eid al-Adha is a social festival collectively a privileged festival of joy. Sacrifice is one of the main parts of eid al-Adha festival.
He is the only one who every human being is seeking for his mercy at every moment. The test is whether man is willing to sacrifice his most beloved thing for God. Sacrifice reminds us of that test over and over again. Such was the test of Allah to Ibrahim (a.s.). We don’t have to face a tough test like sacrificing a son anymore. Only through the sacrifice of a halal animal can we now pass that test.
Why Do We Sacrifice Animals On Eid Ul Adha
This animal sacrifice is just one example of sacrifice for God. We should give up the welfare of other people almost throughout the year in the hope of getting close to Allah. If this attitude of sacrifice is developed, then it should be understood that the Eid of sacrifice has been successful, the sacrifice has been successful.
Otherwise it will remain a nominally consumerist event forever. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah has repeatedly ordered sacrifice. Allah almighty says, “O you who have believed, spend on you a portion of what is lawful for you and a portion of what I have brought out for you from the earth.” We should spend the extra resources we need in the service of humanity.
People should be helped throughout the year considering the satisfaction and closeness of God as much as possible throughout the year. Allah almighty has repeatedly called upon people in the Holy Qur’an to reconcile the mind and wealth.
No good deed of the Son of man is dearer to Allah than to shed blood on the day of sacrifice. The horns, hair and hooves of the sacrificial animals will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection. Before the blood of the sacrificial animal touches the ground, its reward is accepted by Allah.
Allah almighty has warned the sacrificial givers in unequivocal terms, “Nothing in the flesh and blood of the sacrificial animal reaches Allah, only your taqwa or allahphobia( Hajj 37).” That is to say, the sacrificer is afraid of Allah and sacrifices for his pleasure. Finally, the significance of sacrifice is to create the opportunity to sacrifice life for Allah, to revive the ideal of sacrifice like the sacrifice of Abraham’s son, and to remember the grace of Allah and to reveal its magnificence.
